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Resident asks council about empty storefronts; council says it cannot compel interior repairs
Summary
A Lodi resident asked why many storefronts are vacant; councilmembers said the village lacks legal authority to require interior repairs or occupancy and that the mayor shares available-space information with the county economic development agency and a realtor handling the CVS property.
During the public-comment portion of the Nov. 24 Lodi Village Council meeting, resident Mark Brooks of 117 Baker Avenue asked why so many village storefronts remain empty and whether the council can require owners to make repairs or occupy buildings.
Council members responded that the village lacks legal authority to compel interior repairs or force occupancy of private buildings. The minutes state the village’s authority is limited to exterior requirements under zoning. The council described multiple past efforts to attract businesses and said many interiors need significant maintenance that prospective tenants found prohibitive.
Mayor Robert Geissman told the meeting that he regularly communicates with the Medina County Economic Development Corporation to provide updated listings of available space and that he has contacted the real estate company handling the former CVS property about potential uses for that building.
The minutes do not record any formal direction, specific incentives, timeline for outreach, or a new plan to address vacancy; no council motion or vote on the issue was recorded.
