Elyria council approves rezoning, cluster-home permit, tax renewal placement and firefighter contract

Elyria City Council on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, passed a package of ordinances and resolutions by voice vote and under suspension of rules, including a rezoning and a conditional-use permit for property at Brunswick Drive and West Ridge Road, a placement of a 0.5% temporary municipal income-tax renewal on the May 6 primary ballot, and ratification of a firefighters’ contract.

The actions were taken at the council’s regular meeting and most measures were approved on first reading under suspension of rules and declared emergencies. Council also recessed into executive session to discuss collective bargaining before voting to ratify the firefighters’ agreement.

Council voted to approve an ordinance amending Section 1131.02 (zoning ordinance) to rezone certain property at Brunswick Drive and West Ridge Road from B-N (business/neighborhood) to R-MD (residential medium density) (Ordinance 2025-1). Miss Mitchell moved the ordinance; Mr. Kelly seconded. Council member Schneider announced he would abstain from items 1 and 2 and a later item (item 7) because of a potential business conflict of interest. The ordinance was approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded the passage as Ordinance 2025-1.

Council then approved a conditional-use permit under Chapter 1135 for Ridgewater, Ltd., to allow a…