Hudson City Council Workshop - May 12, 2026

The Hudson City Council held a workshop meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM at Town Hall, 27 East Main Street. Mayor Jeffrey Anzevino presided, and President of Council Michael Bird led the workshop. All seven council members were present. The workshop focused on several key legislative items scheduled for action at the May 19, 2026 council meeting, including zoning for the South Darrow Road corridor (District 11), short-term rental regulations, a new public art sculpture, campaign finance reform, and a policy for accepting nonprofit donations. Council also reviewed items for the upcoming consent agenda.

Consent Calendar (Items Forwarded for May 19, 2026 Council Meeting)

• TMP-8657: Motion to acknowledge receipt of the April 2026 financial report. City Manager Sheridan noted income tax revenues are increasing and that a discussion on lost franchise fees from Hudson Cable Television will be brought to council.
• TMP-8621: Motion directing the Clerk to send notice to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control indicating no request for a hearing regarding a new liquor permit for Veg Restaurant Group LLC at 200 North Main Street.
• TMP-8640: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for installation of 14 fire hydrants along Middleton Road and Stow Road. Councilmember Sutton raised concerns about outstanding claims by the City of Akron for hydrant maintenance; the City Manager stated no agreement is in place and will follow up with legal counsel.
• TMP-8626: Resolution approving a then-and-now certificate for a purchase of $3,066.56 for Stericycle Earth Day Shred Event.
• TMP-8625: Resolution authorizing amendment to the golf cart lease agreement with Lake Erie Golf Cars to address wear issues.
• TMP-8628: Resolution authorizing installation of a Hudson Sign public art sculpture at Veterans Way Park, donated by Leadership Hudson Class of 2024 (also discussed as a discussion item).
• TMP-8655: Resolution approving the reappointment of Sara J. Fagnilli as City Prosecutor, effective June 1, 2026.
• TMP-8656: Resolution approving the reappointment of Marshal M. Pitchford as City Solicitor and Special Counsel with DiCaudo, Pitchford & Yoder.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hudson Sign Sculpture Presentation: Nick Sugar and Marietta Marquart of Leadership Hudson Class of 2024 presented the proposed dimensional letter "Hudson" sculpture at Veterans Way Park. The sign will be fabricated by Kent Roosevelt High School Career Technical Education Program, installed with brick base by KGK Landscaping, with engraving by Stephen York. Fundraising through donor bricks (16x16 bricks at $2,500 each) with 20% contingency; any surplus will be donated to the city for maintenance. Installation expected fall 2026 or spring 2027. Council expressed strong support.

Discussion Items

• Short-Term Rental Operations (Ordinance 26-78): Community Development Director Greg Hannan reviewed proposed amendments: a 3% bed tax, increase in annual permit fee from $100 to $150, and a 1,000-foot separation requirement between short-term rentals. Council discussed:
  • Whether to require professional inspections paid by homeowner.
  • Shortening the permit approval timeline.
  • Using a sunset clause for existing permits versus allowing them to remain.
  • Setting a maximum number per ward versus using zoning district-based multipliers. Councilmember Sutton suggested scaling the separation based on minimum lot width to achieve a reasonable density (e.g., 1 in 16 houses in historic district). City Manager Sheridan stated staff will evaluate effects of a 1,000-foot separation and a multiplier approach and report back.
• Zoning District 11 (Ordinance 25-146): Assistant City Manager Brian Griffith and Greg Hannan presented a trip generation study by TMS for the South Darrow Road corridor. The study showed varying increases in peak-hour traffic under different development scenarios; however, ODOT forecasts minimal to no traffic growth for the corridor. Council discussed proposed amendments: remove residential uses, remove specialty grocery store, reduce retail size to a maximum of 10,000 square feet (by-right), and restrict retail/restaurant/services to the frontage area. Council consensus to incorporate these four amendments into a revised draft. Councilmember Byrne inquired about sending the legislation back to Planning Commission for further consideration, but the majority favored moving forward with amendments to avoid delaying controls on development. The ordinance is actionable at the May 19 council meeting (requires five votes for passage).
• Campaign Finance Limits (Ordinance 26-70): Council President Bird distributed research showing that contribution limits do not reduce overall campaign spending but can prevent disproportionate influence by a few donors. He proposed amending the ordinance to retain a limit of $500 per person per election instead of repealing Chapter 226 entirely. Councilmembers generally supported the $500 limit, noting it would reduce the potential for undue influence while not being overly burdensome. Councilmember Weinstein added that higher limits encourage direct donations to campaigns (transparent) rather than to PACs (less accountable). The amendment will be presented at the May 19 meeting.
• Nonprofit Donations Policy (Resolution 26-73): Councilmember Weinstein reviewed red-lined revisions to the policy: expanded to include out-of-state nonprofits, clarified that anonymous donors' names need not be provided, ensured donor purpose is in writing and changes require mutual consent, aligned conflict-of-interest recusal with Ohio ethics requirements, and provided flexibility for returning funds if intended use becomes impossible. Council discussed and generally accepted the revisions.
• Senior Transportation Program (Resolution 26-79): A donation of $58,000 from Hudson Senior Network Foundation and Hudson Community Foundation will purchase a passenger van for a senior transportation program for residents over age 65. The program is modeled after a similar service in an adjacent community. The resolution is scheduled for second reading on May 19.
• Council Meeting Notification Update (Ordinance 26-85): City Manager Sheridan explained the ordinance updates outdated meeting notification provisions, including website and phone numbers. A new general city council number has been established.

Key Outcomes

• Consensus reached on four major amendments to the District 11 ordinance: remove residential, remove specialty grocery, cap retail at 10,000 sq ft by-right, and restrict retail to frontage. Staff to prepare revised ordinance for May 19 council meeting.
• Direction given on short-term rental amendments: staff to develop a map using zoning district-based multipliers for separation distances, evaluate 1,000-foot separation and other options, and report back. No sunset clause for existing permits was favored; instead, potential phase-out via permit non-renewal or transfer.
• Campaign finance: Council President Bird to propose an amendment setting a $500 per person contribution limit at the May 19 meeting.
• Nonprofit donations policy: Weinstein's revisions were generally accepted; final version to be presented for vote on May 19.
• All consent agenda items and proposed legislation were forwarded for further consideration at the May 19, 2026 council meeting.
• Reminders: Council ethics filings due May 15, 2026. Proclamation for Hudson Inclusive Playground Group to be added to May 19 agenda.

The meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM.