Owner of former Old Lake Theater asks Mount Orab to restore commercial zoning

Jody Keller, who said she and her husband own the venue that was annexed into Mount Orab in 2016, told the council she learned in a recent zoning‑code update that her property had been reclassified from commercial to R‑1 residential and that she was not notified.

Keller said the zoning status hampers her ability to operate and expand the venue and asked council staff for the ordinance that accompanied her annexation and for instructions on how to appeal or reinstate the property’s commercial or special‑use H designation. A council member said records would be researched and that an ordinance from May 20, 2025 (the record referenced by staff in the meeting) shows the property listed as Neighborhood Business District; staff agreed to supply the relevant documents.

Keller said she had made a freedom‑of‑information request and possessed draft and signed copies of older documents, but that current maps still showed the parcel as residential. Council members said staff would investigate the ordinance history, what was recorded at annexation and options for reestablishing a special‑use zoning classification if required.

The council did not change any zoning at the meeting; it advised Keller on procedures to file for zoning adjustments and to work with the planning commission if additional filings or a survey are required.