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Hudson council postpones vote on District 11 rezoning after intense public comment
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Summary
After more than an hour of public comment urging the council to honor the comprehensive plan and preserve downtown, the Hudson City Council voted unanimously to postpone final action on the District 11 zoning ordinance (25-146) to a date certain of May 19 to allow additional public hearings and review.
Hudson City Council on Tuesday delayed a final vote on an ordinance to create a new zoning category called District 11, moving adoption to a date certain of May 19 after residents packed the council chamber to oppose changes they said would harm downtown retail.
The council had on the floor a motion to adopt substitute language dated 02/25/2026 for ordinance 25-146, but after extended discussion and an unsuccessful motion to refer the item back to the Planning Commission, Councillor Duramo moved — and the council approved — postponement to May 19 so the city can schedule the required public hearing and allow additional public engagement.
Why it mattered: Scores of residents said the change would allow uses and housing types that could draw shoppers and diners away from Hudson’s historic downtown. "I just feel that if we rezone this…restaurants, retail, maybe a hotel or motel…that part doesn't bother me. The retail and the restaurants do as far as taking that money out of downtown," said Richard Rohler, who identified himself and his address during public comment. Several other longtime residents repeatedly cited the recently adopted comprehensive plan and said the rezoning is inconsistent with the community’s vision.
What councilors said: Councillor Weinstein, one of the council members supporting updated zoning, described the amendment’s intent as aligning rules with current market realities: "The ultimate goal, as I see it, is to support offices in that space…If we do nothing, it could potentially stand empty for quite some time," he said, arguing vacancy could harm the tax base that funds city services. Councillor Sutton, who served on a subcommittee developing the proposal, said he would not support residential uses in that location and urged more work to remove heavy industrial from the Darrow Road corridor.
Procedural constraints and options: City solicitor Hannon told council the Land Development Code generally requires action within 20 days of the public hearing and that continuing the item would require another public hearing. Councillor Brezovic proposed an amendment — a 120-day moratorium on new applications to District 11 — as a possible middle ground to give Planning Commission additional time to review; that amendment was offered for consideration but the council ultimately took the postponement to May 19.
Outcome and next steps: A motion to refer the ordinance back to the Planning Commission failed on a roll-call vote. The subsequent motion to postpone to May 19 passed unanimously, 7–0. Council staff and the planning commission may use the intervening weeks to hold additional public meetings, workshops or to return with revised language before the May 19 hearing and possible vote.
What this does not decide: Postponing to a date certain does not adopt or reject District 11; it schedules a future hearing and preserves residents’ and councilors’ options to recommend or seek further revisions. The council signaled it plans additional public engagement before any final action.
