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Committee advances draft to replace Old Village Review Board with advisory commission
Summary
The Community Affairs Administration Committee discussed a draft ordinance to create a Bellbrook Old Village District Advisory Commission to advise on downtown reinvestment, represent business and resident interests, and coordinate with planning and zoning bodies; staff will refine the draft for council review.
The Community Affairs Administration Committee continued its discussion of changes to the Old Village Review Board, with the chair saying the meeting is meant to move a working draft toward legislative form.
“The Bellbrook Old Village District Advisory Commission is created to assist property owners maintain a high quality of life, maintain the heritage of the community, advocate for proper economic growth, redevelopment and reinvestment in the Old Village District,” the chair read from the draft, describing an advisory body intended to supplement — not replace — underlying zoning. The draft sets a five‑member commission with specified resident and business representation and a focus on beautification, walkability and maintaining downtown character.
Rob, the city staff member handling the draft, told the committee that “everything in that first part is basically replacing [the Village Review Board] with the new name” and that the next step would be staff modifications and conversion to legislative language. Rob said staff would “make some modifications” and then “put it into the legislative form of the actual documents that we would need to process” for council consideration.
Committee members emphasized the commission would be advisory rather than quasi‑judicial, directing recommendations to the planning board and council. The draft includes provisions for retaining a registered architect as an advisor, staggered three‑year terms for members, vacancy procedures, and language that commissioners “serve at the pleasure of council.”
The committee agreed to solicit additional public input, have staff revise the draft, and meet again in several weeks with a prepared ordinance to present to full council.
