Hudson City Council Meeting – August 20, 2024

The Hudson City Council met on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 7:30 PM in Town Hall. The primary agenda items were a public hearing on an appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of the Canterbury Crossing preliminary subdivision plan and a discussion of the catastrophic August 8 storm event. Council also approved the consent agenda and entered executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of August 6, 2024: Approved 6–0.
• Motion 24-0078: Acknowledged timely receipt of the July 2024 monthly financial report.
• Resolution 24-94: Authorized advertising for bids and contract for the Herrick Park Drive Drainage Improvement Project (estimated cost $134,000 including contingency).
• Resolution 24-95: Amended Resolution 20-58 to increase the Ravenna Road resurfacing project cost from $90,750 to $313,252.21 due to inflation; declared an emergency.
• Resolution 24-96: Authorized bids and contract for the Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course Hole 17 retaining wall installation (3' tall wall along 600').
• Resolution 24-97: Authorized public bidding and contract for the City Hall elevator modernization project; declared an emergency.
• Resolution 24-98: Approved a then-and-now certificate for a Norfolk Southern Corporation payment of $3,133.98; declared an emergency.
• All consent items were approved 6–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Jones (2233 Ravenna St., former Planning Commission member, speaking as private citizen) argued that the standard of review strongly favors affirming the Planning Commission decision, cited code provisions on wetlands and density, and stated that the plan directs water onto her property in violation of city code.
• Skylar Sutton (2243 Ravenna St., Council Member, recused from vote, speaking as resident) objected that the site plan violates sections 660.22 (diversion of water) and 1419.05 (flood paths), and that net density calculations are incorrect; he requested denial of the appeal.
• Kim Cosma Segedy (2242 Ravenna St., owner/former resident) stated the area is very wet and runoff is intense; she is fine with development but said the current plan does not fit.
• Jared Florian (general public) expressed support, stating it is next to impossible to find property to build a home in Hudson.
• Bill Foley (6490 Paderborne Cir.) supported the development, saying he has been looking for land for over a year to build a ranch home and there is significant unmet demand.
• John Russell (owner of Prestige Builder Group) noted a change in homebuyer needs (first-floor masters, smaller layouts) and suggested the project could improve existing water issues.
• Matthew Jones (2233 Ravenna St., adjacent property owner) said he was never contacted by the developer about the plan.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Appeal of Canterbury Crossing (Item 24-0076): The appellant (property owner/applicant, represented by Tony Vacanti of Tucker Ellis) argued that the preliminary subdivision plan for a 34-lot open space conservation subdivision on 94.56 acres (53% open space) meets all four criteria for preliminary approval: consistency with the comprehensive plan, compliance with design standards, compatibility with surrounding development, and minimization of land disturbance. They contended that the Planning Commission's denial was biased and that missing wetland/stormwater details are typical for preliminary plans and would be addressed at final plan stage. City staff (Community Development Director Hannan) noted missing wetland information, stormwater discharge onto adjacent property, and that other layouts could meet open space conservation requirements. Council members expressed concerns about stormwater management, flooding risks, and compatibility. After testimony, Council voted to affirm the Planning Commission's denial.
• Discussion of August 8, 2024 Storm Event (Item 24-0077): City Manager Sheridan described the storm as a 500-year event, with 6.98 inches of rain in 24 hours (6.2 inches from 6-9 PM). This far exceeded typical infrastructure design (10-year to 100-year). Over 300 flood reports were received, categorized as stormwater, sump pump failure, or sanitary sewer backup. Staff presented timelines of response by Hudson Fire/EMS, Police, Public Works, and Hudson Public Power. The 2003 flood (7.3 inches over 24 hours) was compared. Short-term solutions include clearing debris and ensuring free-flowing systems; long-term plans include comprehensive stormwater management studies for Tinkers Creek and Brandywine Creek. Council asked about sanitary pump station failures, design standards, county cooperation, and homeowner resources.

Key Outcomes

• Appeal Denied: Council voted 4–0–1 (Sutton recused, Kowalski abstained) to affirm the Planning Commission's denial of the preliminary subdivision plan for Canterbury Crossing, adopting the findings of fact from the July 8, 2024 Planning Commission motion.
• Governor's Disaster Declaration: Council directed the City Manager to draft a letter to Governor DeWine requesting a disaster declaration for the county.
• Storm Recovery: Council will receive updates every two weeks. Staff will categorize flood issues and meet with Summit County on sanitary sewer infrastructure.
• Appointments: Applications for the Charter Review Commission are due August 30, 2024; applications for a partial term vacancy on the Planning Commission are due September 6, 2024.
• Executive Session: Council entered executive session at 10:05 PM to discuss the purchase of public property; reconvened at 10:24 PM and adjourned.