Council advances new planning and zoning code to second reading; mayor urges three readings

Ordinance 87-2025, a proposed replacement of the city of Garfield Heights planning and zoning code, received its first reading and was passed to a second reading during the City Council meeting on Oct. 27.

Mayor Matthew Burke told the council he favored conducting three readings of the ordinance to give residents adequate time to review the proposed code and to allow planning staff to answer technical questions at upcoming meetings. "I'm asking council to consider doing 3 readings on this as well, just to make sure we give the residents an opportunity to look at it and express their concerns," the mayor said on the record.

Councilwoman Stacy Collier moved for the first reading and the measure was subsequently moved forward to a second reading by council motion. Council members discussed scheduling planning commission meetings and additional council sessions to answer zoning questions. The council did not adopt the ordinance Oct. 27; it was set for further action at subsequent meetings (the mayor noted upcoming council meeting dates and planning meetings).

The transcript did not include text of the proposed code in full; council members on the floor stressed the importance of public review and additional hearings. No vote on final adoption was taken at the Oct. 27 meeting.

Next steps recorded on the floor include distributing the ordinance text on the city website, scheduling planning and zoning meetings for public comment, and holding at least two more council meetings (the mayor cited Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 as upcoming dates) so residents can review the proposal.