Hudson City Council Meeting - September 16, 2025

The Hudson City Council met on September 16, 2025, beginning with an executive session at 6:30 PM to interview Economic Growth Board applicants, followed by the regular meeting at 7:30 PM. All seven council members were present for the regular session. The meeting included proclamations, a public hearing on proposed land development code changes for boarding kennels and veterinary facilities, approval of several consent agenda items, and multiple legislative actions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of September 2 and September 9, 2025 (Motion No. 25-0111, 6-0 vote).
• Approved Honorary Resolution 25-137 thanking Clark Rumiser for 53 years as a crossing guard (unanimous).
• Adopted three proclamations: The 2025 Mighty Vincent Project (Sept 20-27), Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day (Sept 19), and Constitution Week (Sept 17-23).
• Approved Consent Agenda items A through F (resolutions 25-0115, 25-138, 25-139, 25-140, 25-141, 25-142) by a 7-0 vote. These included acknowledgment of the August 2025 financial report, property tax levy acceptance, application for AMATS federal funds (including resurfacing and trail projects), a cost-sharing agreement with Stow for a traffic signal at Seasons Road and Allen Road, a professional services contract with GPD Group for Barlow Community Center Upper Lake Dam embankment repair, and authorization to demolish a fire-damaged building at 5487 Sullivan Road.
• Resolution 25-143 (90-day moratorium on certain Planning Commission applications) was pulled from consent. A motion to suspend the rules for its passage failed (5-2), so it received its first reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing on Ordinance 25-92 (Boarding Kennels and Veterinary Facilities): Multiple residents and business owners testified.
  • Dr. Dan Bestic (7608 Yennicook Way) urged reconsideration of a 300-foot setback for veterinary clinics, questioning the necessity given no recent complaints, and argued it would limit expansion of emergency veterinary services.
  • Scott Lancaster (6900 Hunting Hollow Lane West) spoke in support, citing impacts on quality of life, traffic safety, and sanitation.
  • Elisa Poggi (1230 Hunting Hollow Dr.) expressed frustration over delays and concerns about noise and use of the property for multiple services.
  • Samantha D'Eramo (6917 St. Regis Blvd.) noted the prior use of the Prospect Street property as a boarding facility.
  • Carol Laspina (1621 W. Prospect St.) argued the previous facility was a small home-based operation, not a 10,000-square-foot facility, and stated MyEyeDr. staff reported odor issues from the existing vet.
  • Dr. Valerie Shaker (1948 Christine Dr.) opposed the ordinance, stating it would prevent expansion of the Vet Center for beneficial services like an emergency hospital or cat-only clinic.
  • Tim Laspina (1621 W. Prospect St.) said the proposed use does not meet LDC standards and noted the permit was not approved.
  • Tara Gallegos (1481 Prospect Rd.) supported the ordinance, citing negative impacts on residential neighborhoods.
  • Dottie Movshin (1501 Prospect) supported, stating businesses should be in appropriate areas.
• General Public Comments:
  • Samantha D'Eramo asked about the change from "voters" to "electors" in proposed charter amendments.
  • Sarah Norman (2212 Edgeview Dr.) explained the need for the Planning Commission moratorium to review the LDC.
  • Ron Brubaker (7593 Partridge Meadows Dr. East) suggested the city consider acquiring the Life Center Plus facility (now in receivership) for a community recreation center.
  • Scott Lancaster supported a community center, citing Solon's facility.
  • Carol Laspina favored building new over renovating Life Center.
  • Rob Kagler (65 Manor Dr.) commented on the Environmental Awareness Committee's powers in the proposed Park and Natural Resource Board charter amendment and urged no restrictions on free speech.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 25-92 (LDC Amendment for Boarding Kennels and Veterinary Facilities): Council member Sutton summarized that the ordinance originally proposed a 500-foot setback for both boarding kennels and veterinary facilities. After Planning Commission input and further discussion, a revised version would only impose the 300-foot setback on boarding kennels, not on veterinary clinics or pet grooming (which would have no new setback). The revision also splits out pet grooming as a separate use, allowed in commercial districts only. Boarding kennels would be restricted to commercial districts. Council postponed the ordinance to October 7, 2025, to allow for additional public feedback following the public hearing, moving 7-0.
• Ordinance 25-110 (Removing Assisted Living Uses from Commercial Districts): Second reading. Staff and Planning Commission requested postponement to November 18, 2025, for public hearing and third reading. Council decided to discuss at the upcoming workshop.
• Legislation items (second readings): Several ordinances authorizing bond notes for various capital projects were read for the second time: 25-127 ($740,000 for Owen Brown/Morse Road property), 25-128 ($925,000 for 94 Owen Brown Street), 25-129 ($7.1 million for salt storage and bus maintenance at 5810 Hudson Drive), 25-130 ($3,295,000 for 5431 Hudson Drive property for Public Works), 25-131 (not to exceed $31 million for Public Works construction), 25-132 ($2.7 million for Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club clubhouse), 25-133 ($2.7 million for Boston Mills Road trail and park improvements), 25-134 ($1 million for Valley View Road trail), 25-135 ($5 million for Fire/EMS facility renovations), and 25-136 ($7.5 million for Velocity Broadband fiber expansion for residential service). No action taken; these will return for third readings.
• Resolution 25-144 & 25-145 (996 Hines Hill Road): First readings. 25-144 authorizes recording protective covenants for the SiteOhio program; 25-145 adopts the site name "Hudson Innovation Park" and develops branding. No action.
• Ordinance 25-146 (Establishing Zoning District 11 along South Darrow Road): First reading and referred to Planning Commission by a 7-0 vote.
• Resolution 25-147 (Library Levy Renewal and Increase): First reading. Declares necessity to renew the existing 2.9-mill levy and increase by 0.6 mill for the Hudson Library and Historical Society, to be placed on the May 5, 2026 ballot.
• Ordinance 25-119 (Low-Speed and Utility Vehicle Regulation): Approved on third reading, 7-0. Codifies the right to operate low-speed, under-speed, utility vehicles, and mini-trucks after state law changes.
• Resolution 25-113 (Hudson Drive Waterline Extension): Approved on third reading, 7-0. Authorizes bidding and contract for a 12-inch waterline along Hudson Drive to the new Public Works facility and reconstruction of City Hall water service.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of September 2 and September 9, 2025 (6-0).
• Adopted Honorary Resolution 25-137 for Clark Rumiser (6-0 vote; Foster absent).
• Issued three proclamations.
• Consent Agenda (items A-F) approved 7-0.
• Resolution 25-143 (90-day moratorium) failed suspension of rules (5-2), placed on first reading.
• Ordinance 25-92 postponed to October 7, 2025 (7-0) for further public feedback.
• Ordinance 25-119 approved 7-0 on third reading.
• Resolution 25-113 approved 7-0 on third reading.
• Ordinance 25-146 referred to Planning Commission (7-0).
• Ordinance 25-110 (second reading) to be discussed at next workshop; potential postponement.
• Second executive session held at 9:27 PM to discuss potential real estate acquisition; meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.