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 cluster-home development at the same Brunswick/West Ridge location (Ordinance 2025-2). The item was presented at a public hearing and, after no proponents or opponents spoke during the hearing, the council approved the permit on suspension (mover: Miss Mitchell; second: Mr. Cowen). The clerk recorded the passage as Ordinance 2025-2.

On taxation, council passed Resolution 2025-1 to submit to electors at the May 6, 2025 primary the question of renewing an additional five-year temporary annual municipal income tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%), effective July 1, 2026, and declared it an emergency. A companion Resolution 2025-2 set forth the council’s intent for the use of revenues should voters approve the renewal. Both resolutions were approved on first reading under suspension of rules. Council also approved an ordinance amending chapters 192.01–192.03 of the codified ordinances (Ordinance 2025-3) tied to the tax question; that ordinance was passed on first reading under suspension and will take effect only if the measure is approved by voters.

Other items approved included a resolution authorizing the collection of lot‑mowing charges and directing certification of a list to the Lorain County Auditor (finance-sponsored; council discussion included a suggestion to review whether the $300 mowing charge still covers costs), and an ordinance accepting dedication of lands and easements for the Windsor Place subdivision final plat (Ordinance 2025-4).

Council recessed into executive session to discuss collective-bargaining negotiations; the roll call vote to enter the executive session recorded 10 ayes. Following the session, council passed Ordinance 2025-5, ratifying the agreement between the City of Elyria and Elyria Firefighters IAFF Local 474, and Ordinance 2025-6, amending the 2021 salary ordinance to address wages for the IAFF Local 474 members. Both were moved by Mr. Tillett and seconded by Mr. Schneider and were adopted on first reading under suspension and declared emergencies.

The council formally approved its 2025 calendar as circulated and adjourned. Several items were handled by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript; when roll call was used it is noted above. Council member Schneider’s earlier abstention on specified items is recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2025-1 (rezoning Brunswick Drive & West Ridge Road to R‑MD): Passed (mover: Miss Mitchell; second: Mr. Kelly); Schneider abstained from discussion and voting on items 1 and 2 due to a potential business conflict of interest. - Ordinance 2025-2 (conditional‑use permit to Ridgewater, Ltd., cluster home at Brunswick/West Ridge): Passed (mover: Miss Mitchell; second: Mr. Cowen). - Resolution 2025-1 (place 0.5% temporary municipal income-tax renewal on May 6, 2025 ballot; effective July 1, 2026): Passed (mover: Mr. Tillett; second: Miss Davis). - Resolution 2025-2 (intent for use of revenues from renewal): Passed. - Ordinance 2025-3 (amend Chapter 192 earned income tax; effective only if electors approve): Passed on first reading under suspension. - Resolution (lot‑mowing charge list certification): Passed (finance-sponsored); council discussed whether the $300 charge still covers city costs. - Ordinance 2025-4 (accept dedication for Windsor Place subdivision final plat): Passed. - Executive session (collective bargaining): Entered by roll call (10 ayes); council authorized possible action following session. - Ordinance 2025-5 (ratify agreement with Elyria Firefighters IAFF Local 474): Passed (mover: Mr. Tillett; second: Mr. Schneider). - Ordinance 2025-6 (amend salary ordinance to implement firefighter wage changes): Passed.

Several measures were passed on the first reading under suspension of rules and declared emergencies; the transcript records voice votes for many items rather than individual roll‑call tallies.