Medina council adds Albrecht parcel to joint economic development district; adopts multiple ordinances

The Medina City Council on Feb. 24 voted unanimously to include a 0.9-acre parcel owned by Albrecht Incorporated at 5864 Worcester Pike Road in the City of Medina–Montville Township Joint Economic Development District, clearing a legal step needed for a planned quick‑service restaurant project.

Kimberly Marshall, the city's economic development director, told the council the parcel is technically in Montville Township but is surrounded by City of Medina property and that the project is expected to be "a little over $3,000,000 investment," create "probably about 30 new jobs" and amount to "a little over $560,000 in payroll." Marshall said state law requires a public hearing on the petition; the council held that hearing earlier in the evening.

Joe Albrecht, president of Albrecht Incorporated, told the council the parcel is part of the company’s South Court Village development and said, "Being part of the JED is really a great benefit, to the parcel. So, we hope you'll look favorably on our request to be part of the JED." Council members proceeded to adopt the ordinance (Ordinance 42‑25) with an emergency clause so the developer can advance lease negotiations and other due diligence steps the city was told are pending.

The council approved the ordinance on a 6‑0 vote. Council discussion and the vote record show all six members present voted in favor.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 42‑25 — Approve petition of Albrecht Inc. to be included within the City of Medina–Montville Township Joint Economic Development District (emergency clause requested to allow project due diligence). Outcome: passed 6–0. - Ordinance 40‑25 — Reappropriation/carryforward of unspent 2024 appropriations to 2025 budget. Outcome: passed 6–0. - Ordinance 41‑25 — Authorize mayor to accept a storm sewer easement on Hillview Way (cost described in meeting as $1). Outcome: passed 6–0. - Ordinance 43‑25 — Renew property and general liability insurance for period 04/01/2025–03/31/2026 (renewal amount not to exceed $250,000; renewal increase ~6.5% per city statement). Outcome: passed 6–0. - Resolution 44‑25 — Acknowledge support for Lake Medina improvements presented by the Medina County Park District. Outcome: passed 6–0. - Ordinance 45‑25 — Add section regulating commercial quadricycles (limits on streets/times; adopted after committee review). Outcome: passed 6–0. - Ordinance 46‑25 — Authorize finance director to make certain fund advances related to a Brownfield remediation grant. Outcome: passed 6–0. - Ordinance 47‑25 — Amendments to 2025 budget related to the advances and repayments referenced in council discussion. Outcome: passed 6–0. - Motion — Clerk’s roll on a motion not to object to issuance of a new D‑1 liquor permit to Hemingway's LLC d/b/a Hemingway's Underground, 236 S. Court St. Outcome: motion passed (roll call 6–0).

What the council said about timing and next steps Marshall told council the emergency clause for the JEDD ordinance was requested because a lease is pending and other due‑diligence items remain; she said completing the JEDD inclusion was necessary for the project to move forward. No additional conditions or tax-sharing terms were discussed on the council floor during the vote.

The meeting record shows the council approved all listed items by recorded roll calls with the following members voting in favor: Coyne, Rose, Shields, Simmons, Simpson and Hare. The council did not discuss specifics of the planned restaurant operator or final tax‑sharing details during the public meeting.

The council adjourned after routine reports and brief council comments.