Hudson City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Hudson City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Town Hall (27 East Main Street). The meeting began with an executive session at 6:30 p.m. to interview applicants for boards and commissions, followed by the public session at 7:30 p.m. Key topics included a controversial proposal to establish Zoning District 11 along South Darrow Road, an update on the Gazebo Legacy Project, appointments to city boards, and approval of routine legislation. The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m. after a second executive session on real estate matters.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance 26-34 – Approved unanimously (7-0) after suspension of rules. This ordinance updates Hudson’s Codified Ordinances by incorporating various general and permanent ordinances and resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

Eleven residents spoke during public comments, most in opposition to the proposed Zoning District 11 rezoning.

• Richard Roller (70 E. Streetsboro St.) – Opposed rezoning, arguing it would draw retail and restaurants away from downtown historic district.
• Ryan Jacops (1727 Norton Rd.) – Opposed, stating he does not want the Hudson side of South Darrow Road to resemble Stow, and objected to multi-family and townhome inclusion.
• George Roth (28 Hudson Commons Dr.) – Former council member, opposed, recalling a commitment to keep downtown as the hub for development.
• Cynthia Curtin (1102 Cutler Lane) – Former Planning Commission chair, cited the Comprehensive Plan as the city’s growth guide and urged council to slow down and gather more input.
• Nora Jacobs (34 Division St.) – Opposed, reading a letter warning that allowing retail at the JoAnn site would hollow out downtown, referencing the “Walmart effect.”
• Bill Klausman (2746 Blue Heron Dr.) – Questioned whether the rezoning protects existing businesses; discussed the Comprehensive Plan survey results.
• Ron Mori (82 E. Streetsboro St.) – Supported rezoning, arguing shops compete regionally and the city needs to grow.
• Steve Ruedrich (5 Laurel Lake Dr.) – Opposed, stating the redistricting seems development-driven, not citizen-driven, and inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
• Todd Zedak (16 Hudson Commons Dr.) – Opposed, emphasized that community interests span decades; urged council to use the Comprehensive Plan as a values-based guide.
• Anthony Ravida (1746 Edgar Dr.) – Spoke about a fence dispute, noting mesh is not prohibited; expressed frustration with city enforcement.
• Larkin Rogers (Elm Street) – Opposed, asked council to slow the vote and carefully consider the Comprehensive Plan’s goals.

Two letters were also read into the record: one from Barak Kraus (5763 Reserve Lane) opposing the rezoning, and one from Debra and David Petersilge questioning the process and urging more research.

Discussion Items

1. Report of City Manager – Thomas Sheridan announced:

   • Public Works will install an under-drain at Church St. and E. Main St. to address water collection.
   • ODOT will close the Stow Road underpass at I-480 for eight months starting mid-March; detours may cause delays on State Route 91.
   • Gazebo Legacy Project (Resolution 26-32): Sheridan presented cost estimates for three concrete finish options (all include paint, wood repair, sandstone steps, ADA stair lift, landscaping, and security): standard broom finish ~$117,000, dyed concrete ~$137,000, pervious concrete ~$160,000. The Architectural & Historic Board of Review (AHBR) generally supported the design but requested safety measures for children near the lift and improved landscaping. Council will vote on a finish option at the next meeting.

2. District 11 Zoning (Ordinance 25-146) – The ordinance, which had three readings and was actionable, proposed establishing Zoning District 11 along South Darrow Road to replace the vacant JoAnn Fabrics site. Council debated at length:

   • Councilmember Brezovec – Believed some rezoning is necessary but said the legislation is not ready; proposed a 120-day moratorium amendment (not formally moved). He made a motion to refer the ordinance back to Planning Commission (failed 2-5).
   • Councilmember Sutton – Opposed any residential component, stating it is not revenue-generating and inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan; supported further iteration.
   • Councilmember Weinstein – Supported the zoning as a framework to attract office space and amenities for workers, noting it is not a strip mall; emphasized the need for market-responsive zoning.
   • Councilmember D’Eramo – Noted the process began under the previous council and that economic conditions make a replacement for JoAnn unlikely; urged careful consideration.
   • Council President Bird – Clarified the rezoning follows the Comprehensive Plan’s call for mixed-use along Darrow Road; stressed the income tax value of development.
   • Councilmember Goetz – Listed numerous public meetings and pushed back against claims the process was rushed or secret.
   • Councilmember White – Was open to postponement after hearing resident feedback.

   Key procedural points: Council must act within 20 days of the public hearing (held Feb. 17, 2026). Options included passing, referring back to Planning Commission (only once permitted), or postponing to a date certain (requires a new public hearing). After the referral motion failed, Councilmember D’Eramo moved to postpone to May 19, 2026, which passed unanimously (7-0). A public hearing will be scheduled on either May 5 or May 19 to meet the 20-day requirement.

3. Engineering Standards Update (Ordinance 26-21) – Third reading. The ordinance updates Section 1 of Chapter 1419 for infrastructure construction standards. Adopted unanimously (7-0).

4. Council Liaison Rules (Ordinance 26-33) – Second reading only; no vote taken.

5. Appointments – Council approved:

   • Cory Harris and Matt South to full terms on the Tree Commission (7-0).
   • Lisa Canterbury to a full term on the Economic Growth Board (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 25-146 (District 11 Rezoning): Postponed to a date certain of May 19, 2026, by a unanimous vote (7-0). A new public hearing will be required before final action.
• Ordinance 26-21 (Engineering Standards): Adopted on third reading (7-0).
• Consent Agenda (Ordinance 26-34): Approved (7-0).
• Gazebo Legacy Project (Resolution 26-32): Given second reading; will be actionable at the March 17, 2026 meeting.
• Executive Sessions: Two held: first (6:30–7:30 p.m.) to interview board applicants; second (9:21–9:37 p.m.) to discuss real estate transfer/purchase.
• Appointments: Three board members confirmed.
• Next Regular Meeting: Scheduled for March 17, 2026.