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Streets and Service committees approve alley vacation, playground contract, sewer relocation and zoning change
Summary
Committee members on Feb. 2 approved vacating an alley in Fairview Acres, authorized a playground equipment contract under an ODNR NatureWorks grant with a waiver of competitive bidding, authorized a sewer relocation contract (budgeted in 2026) and approved a zoning change for annexed property at 1509 Hitmore St.
Two standing committees of the Newark City Council met Feb. 2 and approved measures affecting property, parks and utilities.
The Streets Committee unanimously approved Ordinance 26003 to vacate a portion of White Alley (between Morgan Avenue and Bonner Street, east of State Route 13) after a city representative said the property owner completed required diligence and emergency‑services checks raised no concerns. Committee members recorded the motion as accepted.
The Service Committee approved Resolution 2606 authorizing the Director of Public Service to negotiate and enter a contract with DWA Recreation for playground equipment at Wells Park and to waive the standard competitive bidding process for labor. Service staff said the city was awarded an ODNR NatureWorks grant and that coordinating equipment orders and installation with an existing parks project would reduce the amount of park disturbance. The resolution was moved by Shoot, seconded by Blind, and passed 5–0.
Service members also approved a resolution authorizing the director to accept and execute a contract for the Granville Road sanitary sewer relocation (a roughly 200‑foot move) in coordination with an Ohio Department of Transportation bridge replacement. Staff said the work was budgeted in the city’s 2026 budget and that no new appropriation was required. The measure was moved by Neely and approved 5–0.
Finally, the committee approved Ordinance 2604 to change the zoning classification of property being annexed from Newark Township (listed as 1509 Hitmore St, partial tax ID 058‑291228‑00.000) to single‑family RM medium‑density. Planning staff said they would review and provide an opinion on the zoning change; the ordinance passed 5–0.
The Service Committee adjourned and full council was scheduled to convene at 7:00 p.m.
Key votes • Ordinance 26003 — Vacate White Alley (Fairview Acres) — Outcome: Approved 5–0. • Resolution 2606 — Contract with DWA Recreation for Wells Park playground; waive bidding — Outcome: Approved 5–0. • Granville Road sanitary sewer relocation contract (project 2021‑11) — Authorization to accept/execute contract (budgeted in 2026) — Outcome: Approved 5–0. • Ordinance 2604 — Zoning change for 1509 Hitmore St (annexation) — Outcome: Approved 5–0.
What happens next Staff will proceed with vendor coordination and equipment ordering for Wells Park under the NatureWorks grant, coordinate the sewer relocation timing with ODOT’s bridge work, and prepare the zoning files for council and planning review.
