Dayton extends temporary moratorium on group-home applications for 180 days

The Dayton City Commission on Feb. 4 adopted an emergency resolution (No. 6916-26) extending a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of zoning, occupancy, conditional-use and building permit applications for residential facilities commonly described as “group homes” for an additional 180 days.

Commissioner Fairchild moved to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Joseph seconded; the measure passed by a roll-call vote of 5-0, with Mayor Turner-Sloss and Commissioners Joseph, Shaw, Fairchild and Beckham voting in the affirmative.

City Manager Shelley Dickstein told the Commission staff needs additional time to complete analysis and prepare zoning recommendations. Division Manager of Planning Tony Kroeger told the Commission that while the moratorium applies broadly to group homes, the city may only apply a citywide numerical cap specifically to foster care facilities under current legal constraints; other types of group homes would remain subject to existing zoning and separation requirements. The staff committed to follow up with additional definition and inspection information requested by the mayor.

The extension is temporary and intended to allow planners to return with draft zoning amendments and supporting analysis; the resolution language sets the new expiration at 180 days from adoption. The Commission did not adopt permanent zoning changes at the meeting.

What happens next: staff will complete the analysis and present zoning recommendations and draft ordinance language to the Commission for further action. No additional votes on substantive code changes were taken at this meeting.