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Council sends John Carroll fireworks ordinance back to committee after residents and members press for tighter limits
Summary
Council debated an amendment to the city fire code to permit short, professional fireworks displays (sponsored by John Carroll University). Concerns about notification, frequency, duration and impacts on vulnerable residents led to a referral to the Safety Committee for additional restrictions.
Council members on Monday debated Ordinance 2025-06, which would amend Chapter 1615 of the city fire code to allow permitted professional fireworks displays in University Heights.
Rory O’Neill, John Carroll University’s alumni director, told council the university seeks a seven‑minute professional display and said John Carroll would improve community outreach if the ordinance passes, including postcards, signs and social media notices. “John Carroll is in favor of finding an ordinance that allows short control displays that would have ample warning, with a strict yet fair permitting process,” O’Neill said.
Council members, however, said the draft lacks several specific protections residents and the safety committee requested. Councilmember Winifred Weizer said she received emails from residents — including a veteran with PTSD and pet owners — urging rejection unless explicit limits are added on the number, timing and duration of permitted displays. “As it stands, as it is written, I would not vote for it unless restrictions were added,” Weizer said.
Mayor Brennan defended the administration’s goal of restoring the city’s prior permitting approach and urged the council to act quickly: “So, pass this thing already, restore the status quo. Let our largest employer and our namesake in this community have a firework show for seven minutes on a June Saturday night,” he said. Vice Mayor Michele Weiss and several colleagues rejected that timeline, arguing the ordinance should include firm notice requirements and caps before passage.
A motion to pass the ordinance failed for lack of a second; council then voted to refer Ordinance 2025-06 back to the Safety Committee for additional restrictions and to work with John Carroll on notification. The referral carried with one dissenting vote.
Next steps: the Safety Committee will consider amendments and notify John Carroll so university representatives can attend when it returns to council.
