Sharonville council approves grant applications for transportation study and downtown revitalization, tables hookah-lounge ordinance

Sharonville — The Sharonville City Council on Feb. 10 unanimously authorized emergency measures to pursue two grant opportunities and delayed final action on a proposed hookah-lounge ordinance.

Council approved Emergency Ordinance 2026-11E, allowing the Safety-Service Director to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD-type grant to fund a feasibility study for a grade-separated crossing on Sharon Road between Canal and Mosteller. “It’s an 80–20 grant match. We’re requesting $400,000 for this feasibility study, which would require an $80,000 match from the city,” said Steve, a city staff member who described the project to council. The ordinance was adopted on a first-and-only reading by roll call vote; the seven members present voted yes.

The council also approved Emergency Resolution 2026R02E to support an application to the Hamilton County Office of Economic Development’s Economic Impact Program for downtown redevelopment work focused on a downtown bank property. City staff member David told council the county program required no local match and asked for permission to submit the application the next day: “We’re just asking for your blessing to move forward and submit the application tomorrow,” he said. The resolution passed on a first-and-only reading, again by unanimous roll call.

On unfinished business, Council considered Emergency Ordinance 2026-04E, which would add a new chapter (7.32) to the business regulation code addressing hookah lounges. Council voted to table that ordinance to the Feb. 24 meeting to give the law committee time to review recent public comments and suggested revisions; the motion to table carried.

A resident thanked city crews for snow clearing during the public-comment period. Tim Schmidt, who gave his address to the clerk, said, “I really appreciate it. I think most of the residents in Sharonville appreciate the job that they did.”

Votes at a glance

- Emergency Ordinance 2026-11E (apply for USDOT BUILD-type grant for Sharon Road grade-separated crossing feasibility study): Approved (roll call yes votes: Cook; Sharpshire; Citadino; Lovett; Cox; Knight; Schmidt). Requested grant $400,000; city match required $80,000.

- Emergency Resolution 2026R02E (support application to Hamilton County Economic Impact Program for downtown bank property revitalization): Approved (roll call unanimous). Staff stated no local match requested.

- Emergency Ordinance 2026-04E (new business regulation code chapter 7.32 re: hookah lounges): Tabled to Feb. 24 for further law-committee review (motion carried).

What happens next

City staff may submit the Hamilton County application the following day and will prepare next steps for the BUILD grant application if awarded. The hookah-lounge ordinance will return to council after law-committee review and public-comment consideration on Feb. 24.

Local context and impact

If the BUILD grant were awarded, the feasibility study would examine options for a grade-separated crossing at Sharon Road between Canal and Mosteller — a corridor used by local commuters and businesses downtown. The county Economic Impact Program application targets downtown redevelopment projects and, according to staff, would not require a city match. Council members also used the meeting to recognize recreation staff and local youth achievements and to note upcoming local openings and community events.