Brookpark council approves Planned Unit Development rezoning for Haslam Sports Group stadium on third reading

Brookpark — The city held a public hearing and then a special council meeting that approved an ordinance to establish a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district for a proposed Haslam Sports Group stadium and adjacent mixed‑use project.

Mayor Orcutt introduced the project and Haslam Sports Group (HSG) representatives, saying the site is roughly 176 acres boxed between Snow Road and Interstate 71 and that the city and developers are doing detailed design and traffic work. "I have 1000% confidence that this project will be a go here in the city of Brookpark," the mayor said during the presentation.

David Jenkins of Haslam Sports Group told the audience the plan includes a $2.4 billion dome stadium and about $1 billion in mixed‑use development; he said the team aims to begin earthmoving this fall, hold a ceremonial groundbreaking in spring, and open initial components in 2029. Jenkins provided a list of planned elements: roughly 12,000 parking spaces near the stadium, a 68,000‑seat domed bowl, two hotels totaling about 450 rooms, approximately 1,200 multifamily units when fully built, and about 300,000 square feet of retail. He also described an initial employment estimate of about 5,000 construction jobs and 5,000 permanent jobs.

The hearing drew residents with questions about traffic, stormwater and public safety. Louie Modick asked about "rolling entrances" and traffic funneling; Jenkins said the team has completed a roadway network study and will develop detailed event‑day traffic plans and signage. Resident Jay Hayes raised watershed and runoff concerns and asked whether the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) would be involved. Jenkins said HSG has been in constructive dialogue with the RTA and identified a potential platform area near the west side of the site close to existing tracks; he said the Brookpark Road RTA station sits roughly 3,000 feet from the proposed building.

On stormwater, city officials said the project team is working on a stormwater management plan, has met with the sewer district for modeling support, and that the city enforces a "zero impact" standard for stormwater as projects are designed. On emergency services, the mayor noted recent investments in police and fire apparatus and said the city intends to continue using memoranda of understanding and mutual aid for major events.

A council member representing Ward 1 praised the concept of rezoning but said the ordinance text as drafted contains shortcomings and that they could not vote for it "in this present form," arguing the language needs further work to protect residents and the city’s interests.

Council subsequently convened a special meeting and read Ordinance No. 11478‑2025, which would enact chapter 1128 of the Brookpark codified ordinances to create a Planned Unit Development District for the site. A motion to approve the ordinance on third reading was made and seconded (the mover and second are not clearly identified in the transcript). The clerk called roll; the transcript records the votes read as: "Coyne Dexter" — Yes; Roberts — Yes; Troyer — No; Dufour — Yes; Mancini — Yes; McCorkle — Yes; Scott — Yes. The ordinance was recorded as passed on third reading.

Council and city officials said further technical work — including a feasibility study, traffic and stormwater plans and additional public hearings — will be carried out before detailed permitting and construction begin. HSG representatives and city staff emphasized ongoing coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, the sewer district and transit agencies.

The hearing closed and the special meeting adjourned; the council proceeded to its regular meeting agenda afterward.