Hudson City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Hudson City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, beginning with an executive session at 6:45 PM to interview a candidate for the HCTV Advisory Committee, then resuming the public meeting at 7:00 PM and adjourning at 10:13 PM. The meeting featured a proclamation, public comments, a consent agenda, and action on multiple legislative items, including the contentious creation of Zoning District 11 along South Darrow Road and amendments to campaign finance rules.

Consent Calendar

• 26-0039: A motion acknowledging timely receipt of the April 2026 monthly financial report was approved.
• 26-0040: A 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 was approved.
• 26-80: A resolution approving a then-and-now certificate for a $3,066.56 purchase (Stericycle Earth Day Shred Event) was approved.
• 26-81: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend the golf cart lease agreement with Lake Erie Golf Cars was approved.
• 26-82: A resolution authorizing the installation of a Hudson Sign public art sculpture at Veterans Way Park, donated by Leadership Hudson Class of 2024, was approved.
• 26-83: A resolution approving the reappointment of Sara J. Fagnilli as City Prosecutor was approved.
• 26-84: A resolution for the reappointment of Marshal M. Pitchford as City Solicitor was pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration (see below).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Curtin (1102 Cutler Lane), former Planning Commission chair, spoke in opposition to Ordinance 25-146 (District 11), citing conflicts with the Comprehensive Plan, including residential housing, planned development, a violation of Chapter 1204, governance issues, triggering of the Growth Management Plan, unknown chemicals beneath the former JoAnn facility, and a traffic study not reviewed by residents and Planning Commission. She urged council to vote no.
• Sarah Norman (2212 Edgeview Dr.) stated that District 8 is not appropriate for the former JoAnn facility, which is why District 11 is needed, but not this version. She suggested looking more broadly at District 8.
• Susan Newman (2694 Stonebridge Ct.) provided a history of the South Darrow Road Subcommittee meetings, describing how the process shifted away from the Comprehensive Plan and how developers participated in subcommittee meetings (e.g., Industrial Realty Group/Valor Acres). She expressed concern that the process allowed outside developers to shape zoning while sidelining resident input.
• Lisa Leipzig (2553 Blue Heron Dr.) encouraged the City to prioritize sidewalks in Hudson Park Estates, noting that the school district does not transport students within 1.5 miles, creating a safety issue.
• Raija Daley (1275 Barlow Rd.) requested Council to preserve Hudson's character and beauty and listen to residents regarding District 11.
• Anthony Ravida (1746 Edgar Dr.) alleged wrongdoings by City staff, including a false police report, Sunshine Law violations, and improper handling of his permit case, claiming the City spent $50,000 on a default judgment.
• Ryan Beam (2633 Hudson Aurora Road) raised concerns about lawsuits based on unsound legal advice, referencing the secret lawsuit against Jane Howington, privilege waiver issues, and the Ohio Elections Commission matter, and asked Council to consider not reappointing Solicitor Pitchford.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation (26-0038): Mayor Anzevino recognized the Hudson Inclusive Playground Group for their efforts to create an inclusive playground. Council members and staff praised the group, with Councilwoman Goetz noting her handicapped daughter would benefit.
• Ordinance 25-146 – Zoning District 11: After extensive debate, Council passed the ordinance 6-1 (Councilman Sutton voting no) with amendments removing residential uses, specialty grocery stores, limiting retail to 10,000 sq ft per use, and restricting uses to east of and within 600 feet of Darrow Road. A motion to refer the legislation back to Planning Commission for 120 days failed 3-4. Council President Bird noted that without passage, the City would be vulnerable to applications for auto repair, vehicle rental, and 40,000 sq ft retail under existing District 8. Councilwoman Weinstein stated the zoning provides a framework with no planned development yet.
• Ordinance 26-70 – Campaign Finance: Council voted 5-1-1 (Councilman White abstained, Councilwoman Goetz opposed) to pass the ordinance as amended by Council President Bird, increasing campaign contribution limits from $100 to $500 and repealing Chapter 226 (which had set the $100 limit). A motion to postpone to June 16 failed 2-4-1. Solicitor Pitchford indicated the $500 limit is enforceable based on legal standards, while the previous $100 limit was difficult to defend. Councilwoman Weinstein noted the $100 limit had not kept pace with inflation and incentivized use of PACs and reporting of minors' names.
• Ordinance 26-71 – Workshop Agenda Rules: Council passed the ordinance 7-0 after adopting an amendment (4-3) to strike Section 3, which would have allowed the City Manager to introduce legislation. Councilman Sutton argued the Charter only allows the City Manager to recommend legislation, not introduce it. Council President Bird and Councilwoman Weinstein noted the City Manager already places items on the workshop agenda. Solicitor Pitchford stated the current code already permits the City Manager to place items on the workshop agenda.
• Ordinance 26-72 – Public Records Policy: Passed unanimously 7-0, creating a new chapter establishing a public records policy that may not disclose crime victims' or minors' identities.
• Resolution 26-73 – Nonprofit Donations Policy: Passed unanimously 7-0 as amended with the Weinstein revision (May 8, 2026), establishing a transparent process for accepting donations from nonprofits for city projects.
• Ordinance 26-78 – Short-Term Rentals: Second reading; no vote taken.
• Resolution 26-79 – Senior Transportation Program: Second reading; no vote taken.
• Ordinance 26-85 – Meeting Notification Update: First reading.
• Resolution 26-86 – Fire Hydrant Installation: First reading.

Key Outcomes

• District 11 Ordinance (25-146): Passed 6-1 as amended (with revised language dated May 19, 2026, and Exhibit A also dated May 19, 2026). The ordinance amends the zoning map and Land Development Code to establish Zoning District 11 along South Darrow Road, removing residential and specialty grocery uses, capping retail at 10,000 sq ft, and prohibiting heavy industrial (including data centers).
• Campaign Finance Ordinance (26-70): Passed 5-1-1 (abstention: Councilman White; nay: Councilwoman Goetz) as amended with the version sponsored by Council President Bird (dated May 12, 2026), repealing Chapter 226 and establishing a $500 contribution limit. No emergency language, so effective 30 days after passage.
• Workshop Agenda Rules Ordinance (26-71): Passed 7-0 as amended (striking Section 3), preserving the requirement that legislation proceed from workshop to regular agenda but removing the City Manager's explicit authority to introduce legislation.
• Public Records Ordinance (26-72): Passed 7-0.
• Nonprofit Donations Policy (26-73): Passed 7-0 with the May 8, 2026 Weinstein revision.
• City Solicitor Reappointment (26-84): Passed 4-3 (Councilwoman D'Eramo, Councilwoman Goetz, Councilman Sutton voting no) without emergency language, resulting in a 30-day delay and a potential lapse in legal services. Councilwoman Goetz expressed concern about the hiring process; Council President Bird and Councilman Brezovec defended the selection.
• Consent Agenda Items (A–F): Approved unanimously.
• Other Items: Short-term rental ordinance, senior transportation resolution, meeting notification ordinance, and fire hydrant resolution were introduced for first or second readings with no final votes.