Xenia council approves annexation, zoning change, property retention, backflow enforcement delegation and parkland donation

Xenia City Council on March 13 approved five ordinances and resolutions that change land boundaries, zoning, property stewardship and code enforcement responsibilities.

The council unanimously passed an annexation ordinance for 7.753 acres at 1214 Stevenson Road; approved amending a prior ordinance to retain three properties within the city for its Home Preservation Program rather than transferring them to the Xenia Community Improvement Corporation; rezoned an 18.09-acre Xenia Market District parcel to a planned unit development (PUD) and approved the PUD concept for the redevelopment; authorized the Greene County Combined Health District to enforce the city's sanitary sewer backflow prevention requirement; and accepted a 0.21-acre donation (Lot 4, Bars Addition) from Robert T. Cartwright and Patricia A. Gallagher conditioned on naming a recreational amenity at Xenia Station for their late father, Robert E. Cartwright.

Why it matters: the measures move redevelopment projects and property stewardship forward, shift enforcement responsibilities to a county health agency for a plumbing-related city code requirement, and add a small parcel to the city's targeted Xenia Station expansion area.

Annexation (Ordinance 2025-3). The council voted to annex 7.753 acres in Xenia Township at 1214 Stevenson Road into the city. The city manager reported the annexation fulfilled a prior utility-agreement condition with property owners David Trykowski and Robin Winn and would conclude the related proceedings. The ordinance had been introduced by Councilman Reynolds at the prior meeting and was moved for passage by Councilman Reynolds and seconded by Councilman Crawford. Roll-call votes recorded all members present as "Aye." The ordinance was recorded as passed.

Home preservation properties retained (Ordinance 2025-4). The council approved an amendment to sections 1 and 2 of Ordinance 2023-32 to keep three of five properties previously authorized for transfer to the Xenia Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) under city ownership so city staff can manage sales and implementation of the Home Preservation Program. City staff characterized the change as a staff recommendation and a housekeeping adjustment to keep program functions in-house. Councilwoman Sarris moved the ordinance; Councilman Reynolds seconded. Roll-call votes were all "Aye."

Xenia Market District rezoning (Ordinance 2025-05). Council approved rezoning approximately 18.09 acres that comprise the Xenia Market District redevelopment area from B-2 downtown district to a planned unit development and approved the PUD concept. City staff said the PUD conforms to the approved redevelopment plan and the land development code and recommended approval. Councilman Crawford moved for passage; Councilwoman Sarris seconded. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Delegation of backflow prevention enforcement (Resolution 2025-16). Council authorized the Greene County Combined Health District to exercise enforcement authority on the city's behalf for the sanitary sewer backflow-prevention requirement adopted in Ordinance 2023-38 and codified in Section 10.15.1 of the city code. City Manager Brent Merriman explained the 2023 code change requires new and existing sanitary sewer connections to have an approved backflow prevention device; enforcement has been difficult for the city. Under the resolution the health district, which issues plumbing permits and conducts inspections, would hold final permits until compliance is met. Merriman described the device as "a one-way valve essentially" and said, if installed at construction, "it's a $100, $200" item but retrofitting after the fact can cost thousands of dollars. Councilwoman Prophes moved the resolution; Councilwoman Cerise seconded. Roll-call votes were all "Aye." The resolution delegates enforcement authority only; it does not otherwise amend the code itself.

Donation and naming condition (Resolution 2025-17). The council accepted the donation of Lot 4, Bars Addition (about 0.21 acre south of Galloway Street) from Robert T. Cartwright and Patricia A. Gallagher for use in the city's Hub District/Xenia Station expansion, subject to a condition that the city name a recreational amenity at Xenia Station for their late father, Robert E. Cartwright. City staff outlined the family's connection to Xenia and recommended accepting the gift. Councilman Reynolds moved the resolution; Councilman Crawford seconded. Roll-call votes were all "Aye."

Votes at a glance (official references and outcomes): - Ordinance 2025-3 (Annexation of 7.753 acres at 1214 Stevenson Road) — Moved: Councilman Reynolds; Second: Councilman Crawford; Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll-call). - Ordinance 2025-4 (Amend Ordinance 2023-32: retain three properties for Home Preservation Program) — Moved: Councilwoman Sarris; Second: Councilman Reynolds; Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll-call). - Ordinance 2025-05 (Rezone Xenia Market District, 18.09 acres, B-2 to PUD; approve PUD concept) — Moved: Councilman Crawford; Second: Councilwoman Sarris; Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll-call). - Resolution 2025-16 (Authorize Greene County Combined Health District to enforce backflow prevention) — Moved: Councilwoman Prophes; Second: Councilwoman Cerise; Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll-call). - Resolution 2025-17 (Accept donation Lot 4 Bars Addition from Robert T. Cartwright & Patricia A. Gallagher; naming condition) — Moved: Councilman Reynolds; Second: Councilman Crawford; Outcome: Approved (unanimous roll-call).

What the council did not do: no item was tabled or failed at the March 13 meeting; none of these measures included contested public testimony recorded during the public hearings.

Provenance: transcripts for the five items are recorded in the council meeting transcript; the ordinances and resolutions above appear in the public hearing and voting sequence beginning with the item introductions and concluding with roll-call votes.