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Forest Park council adopts medical-marijuana zoning change, advances Forest Fair Mall rezoning and approves several municipal resolutions
Summary
Council adopted an emergency ordinance expanding zones where medical marijuana dispensaries may apply north of I‑275, took a first reading on rezoning part of the Forest Fair Mall site to Industrial Park, and approved resolutions authorizing invoice payment, a vehicle lease-purchase, police lobby work and a cooperative road project.
The Forest Park City Council on June 17 adopted an emergency ordinance (No. 18-2024) that adds the Industrial Park (IP) zoning north of Interstate 275 to the districts where medical marijuana dispensaries may be a conditional use.
The ordinance, described at the meeting as a "minor amendment to zoning districts in which medical marijuana dispensaries are a conditional use," was moved and adopted after council suspended the usual reading requirement. The clerk read the ordinance by title and the roll call recorded five votes in favor and two opposed; the mayor declared Ordinance 18-2024 adopted as an emergency measure.
Separately, the council heard a developer presentation and held a first reading of Ordinance 20-2024, which would rezone the eastern 4.6506 acres of the Forest Fair Mall property from Planned Business (PB) to IP and approve a preliminary development plan. Rob SM Junis, the presenter, said the concept plan would leave retail on part of the site and convert another portion to flex/industrial buildings (high-tech manufacturing, assembly, distribution) and pads for restaurants or entertainment. Junis said a bond tied to past public financing leaves roughly $10 million outstanding on the property and that an existing Kohls lease could run up to 12 more years, both of which affect the timeline for redevelopment. No final vote was taken on Ordinance 20-2024; it was read by title only as a first reading.
Council also handled several resolutions and routine items:
- Resolution 29-2024 authorizing payment of a late invoice to a regional consortium (amount: $1,780) passed on roll call. The clerk and a council member explained the invoice predated encumbrance and the payment exceeded the "then-and-now" threshold requiring formal action.
- Resolution 30-2024 (requesting the Hamilton County Auditor place special assessments for the Indigent Burial Program) was moved and then tabled to July 1, 2024 for further discussion in work session. The motion to table passed by recorded vote.
- Resolution 31-2024 authorized the city manager to enter a lease-purchase agreement with Fuller Ford Inc for a 2024 Ford Transit van to support fire and health outreach; council said the vehicle will assist public‑facing work during events and emergencies.
- Resolution 32-2024 accepted the bid of Triton Services for the Police Department lobby expansion project, which will add a new individual room and upgrades to the lobby.
- Resolution 33-2024 approved a cooperative agreement with the city of Springdale for the Kenro improvement project; the shared cost between the cities was described as $57,000.
City staff and members noted the Forest Fair Mall presentation is a concept plan; Junis repeatedly emphasized the plan is conceptual, that property ownership and bond-holder conditions constrain immediate demolition or full redevelopment, and that negotiations with a prospective major food retailer are ongoing. Council scheduled follow-up as required for ordinance readings and development agreements.
The meeting concluded after the council received the general fund departmental reports and adjourned.
