Shelby council approves two local landmarks, postpones liquor permit hearing and advances ordinance package

Shelby City Council voted to designate two downtown features as local landmarks, postponed a liquor-permit hearing for a proposed Route 61 carryout and advanced multiple ordinance readings that include updates to definitions for bicycles and electric bicycles.

Council moved (Mister Roberts) and seconded (Mister Martin) to approve the Shelby Little (Girl Scout House) as a local landmark under ordinance 1488.07 after the historic preservation commission’s documentation was presented; the motion passed on a roll call. A separate motion to designate the Selzer Park Gateway as a local landmark also passed following a short discussion on the gateway’s community recognition.

On liquor licensing, the mayor introduced a request to set a hearing for NY Singh LLC doing business as Shelby Carryout at 116 N. Campbell/Route 61. After brief discussion and a request for additional information from the Department of Commerce and police, council voted to postpone consideration; a roll call later recorded several nay votes when the item returned to the floor.

Council debated the future of the Main Street Fire Station — a 115–152-year-old structure — after reviewing an engineering report that detailed costly exterior, roof and maintenance needs. The mayor said the city lacks the resources to rehabilitate the building for municipal use and recommended pursuing a new owner and working with the historic preservation commission to place parameters on disposition. "I believe it is time for us to relinquish ownership and to pursue if someone else would want to take ownership of them and to find maybe a new purpose for it," the mayor said.

On the legislative schedule, council advanced a package of ordinances. Members discussed aligning local code with the Ohio Revised Code for bicycle and electric-bicycle definitions, sidewalk parking rules and other technical updates; the police chief described an anecdotal bicycle crash to illustrate safety concerns and staff said the traffic commission will refine signage and enforcement language.

Votes at a glance: Dispense with reading of the Sept. 16 journal — motion passed (mover: Mister Roberts; second: Mister Martin). Girl Scout House landmark (ordinance 1488.07) — motion passed (mover: Mister Roberts; second: Mister Martin; roll-call recorded yays by named members in transcript). Selzer Park Gateway landmark (ordinance 1488.07) — motion passed (mover: Mister Roberts; second: Mister Kudlow; roll-call recorded yays in the transcript). Liquor-permit hearing for NY Singh LLC (Shelby Carryout) — request/postponement (motion to postpone passed; later roll-call recorded multiple nays when reconsidered). Ordinance readings advanced: Order 21-2024 (minimum lot width) second reading passed; Order 23-2024 (subdivision/standards) first reading passed; Ordinance 26-2024 (sidewalk/parking/bicycle alignment) first reading passed; Ordinance 27-2024 (repeal/amendment) first reading passed. Resolution authorizing internet-auction sale of surplus property for 2024 — passed; council clarified any item over $1,000 will be brought to council for approval.

The meeting concluded after miscellaneous business and an adjournment motion.