Council holds public hearing on rezoning request for 3305 Main Street

MORAINE, Ohio — Moraine City Council on Oct. 9 opened a public hearing on a request to rezone 3305 Main Street from R-2 (single-family residential) to B-2 (general business), then closed the hearing without taking a final vote. The applicant is Omar Shaker.

City planner Nick told council the application cites Moraine Codified Ordinances, including chapter 11.27 and chapter 11.91.02(c), which treats a nonconforming use as discontinued after two years. He said the structure at 3305 Main Street was built in 1945, is about 416 square feet per county records, and carries a mercantile certificate of occupancy issued in 2011 that remains with the building unless structural changes occur. The application lists tobacco sales among proposed uses; planning staff noted B-2 permitted uses include retail tobacco stores under the city’s planning and zoning code.

Jerry Dunn, who identified himself as a resident of 140 Salem Drive in Springboro, opposed the rezoning. "If you're gonna do a revitalization of the area one day, it's going to destroy that comprehensive plan if you zone that business," Dunn said, arguing the comprehensive plan shows the area as residential and raising parking and traffic concerns near the church at 3315 Main Street.

Applicant Omar Shaker, who lives in Washington Township, told council the small building is not suitable for residential use and estimated it at roughly 400–500 square feet. He said he had been willing to accept special-use arrangements previously but is seeking a rezoning now.

Mayor Murphy closed the hearing and council discussed moving the item forward for committee consideration; council members indicated a subsequent hearing and consideration will occur on the Oct. 23 meeting agenda. No final rezoning vote was taken on Oct. 9.

Why it matters: A change from R-2 to B-2 would allow a broader set of commercial uses on the parcel, including retail tobacco sales listed on the application, and residents said such a change could alter neighborhood character and parking patterns. Planning staff pointed to the city’s zoning code and the property’s certificate of occupancy in framing whether commercial uses may resume.

What happens next: Council indicated the matter will be considered further at committee of the whole and scheduled for additional consideration on Oct. 23, 2025. The planning commission previously recommended approval at its Sept. 2 meeting.