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Record of Proceedings

Hudson City Council Workshop: Innovation Park & Clinton Crossing Updates - September 8, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 8, 2026

BodyHudson, Ohio

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, September 8, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:34:17

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0:00

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:01

This is a duly noticed workshop meeting of Hudson City Council held in accordance with the Sunshine Laws of the State of Ohio, Section 121.22 in the City of Hudson Charter, Article 3, Section 3.02 for Tuesday, September 8th, 2026.

0:18

It is 730 PM.

0:19

Per ordinance 220.031 titled Workshop Meetings and Item C.

0:24

I would now like to turn the meeting over to Council President Byrd so as to continue through the remaining workshop agenda items.

0:30

Council President Byrd, the floor and workshop meeting is yours.

0:33

Okay, thank you, Mayor.

0:35

Um next number two correspondence and council comments.

0:38

If you have any comments, uh get my attention, please.

0:46

Uh thanks.

0:47

Um first uh I was happy to make it back to Ohio just in time for the community picnic over the weekend.

0:52

Uh really great event.

0:53

Uh was really happy to see so many people come out and enjoy the perfect weather and the events that we had there.

0:58

Uh big thank you to city staff and all the volunteers that helped put that together.

1:01

It was uh extremely well done, and I hope we see that again uh in the future.

1:06

Um also wanted to speak to um uh the home committee we met last week, which reminder includes council, uh the schools, parks, library, and the mayor.

1:15

Um, and a few topics we discussed um are uh the transportation issues that we're seeing at the schools.

1:21

Uh the school buses seem to be uh running a bit late.

1:24

Uh so Tom, the city manager is gonna be uh working with uh school administration to better understand what is happening and see how we could help.

1:31

Um also discussed e-bikes and e-scooters, which is something that we've been discussing quite a bit.

1:35

Um the schools and parks share many of our same safety concerns.

1:39

Uh so we're gonna be working together on educational communication.

1:42

Um and then we're looking to have another meeting, uh, which I just told uh councilwoman D'Armo about.

1:47

Um we're gonna meet with the school board, uh the parks, the mayor, the police chief, uh, to kind of come together and just make sure we're we're tackling everything that we're seeing.

1:55

Um from there, we'd like to have another forum um at the schools where the students will be able to speak on what they're seeing since primarily they're the ones using these uh vehicles.

2:05

Um and the last thing I wanted to mention is uh bird song.

2:08

Um I did speak with Linda at the home committee meeting.

2:11

Um the park board is very supportive of using the parks to display the birds and continue this tradition in a broader sense.

2:17

Uh so I'm gonna continue working with uh the mayor and uh Adriana on a path forward for 2027.

2:23

That's all.

2:24

Thanks.

2:29

I too want to say that Sunday was terrific and want to say that Mayor did an excellent job with the song um that we played Gettysburg.

2:39

If you haven't heard that song, it's very, very moving.

2:42

It's from an old movie, and the mayor recited the Gettysburg Address as the band played.

2:47

Um, so it was really perfect for um our 250th.

2:52

And then um I didn't get this email in time last week, and this um resident, um, Mr.

3:01

Todd Zedak um really wanted it read into the record, so I will read it.

3:06

Um please read the following during uh tonight's city council meeting during the comment section.

3:11

Thank you.

3:12

I'm sorry I cannot be there tonight in person.

3:15

My disgust with the proceedings surrounding the ridiculous retraction of Nicole Kowowski Center still rankles.

3:21

And the goofy continues.

3:23

Developers care about one thing, making a profit.

3:27

At no time is anything anything presented regarding how cramming 32 large homes in the best is in the best interest of our community.

3:36

Are these homes going to be ranch, single style, uh single story, zero height entry, first floor master type homes?

3:46

I'll bet not.

3:47

And why doesn't the council push this developer to create what many members of council think that Clinton Crossing could be?

3:54

Where's the charrette?

3:56

Please ask the city solicitor what the council needs to do to shut this down permanently.

4:02

Thanks.

4:03

Todd Zedak.

4:08

Anything else?

4:15

Uh the Veterans Commission uh met last week, and just a reminder, sorry to steal anyone thunder here, but the stair climb is on 9-11 uh this Friday.

4:24

It starts at 8 with a ceremony, and then uh the stair climb is after.

4:29

You could still register for it.

4:30

Uh you can go online and register to attend.

4:34

And it's at the Hudson uh High School Memorial Stadium.

4:37

Thank you.

4:42

Thank you, Council President Byrd.

4:43

Um, just a few reminders from my side.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Economic Development█████████████████████████████████33%

Affordable Housing███████████████15%

Procedural██████████10%

Community Engagement██████████10%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%

Public Engagement██████6%

Fiscal Sustainability█████5%

Transportation Safety███3%

Technology and Innovation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Hudson City Council Workshop: Innovation Park & Clinton Crossing Updates - September 8, 2026

The Hudson City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Town Hall. Key discussions focused on updates for the Hudson Innovation Park and the Clinton Crossing development, including community engagement results, housing density, hotel room count, and financing options. Council also reviewed the consent agenda and proposed legislation for the September 15, 2026, regular meeting.

Consent Calendar

TMP-8877 (August 2026 Monthly Financial Report): Acknowledged. Highlights: HCTV franchise fees continue to decline; income tax revenue through August is 3% ($700,000) above August 2025 and 3.2% ($739,000) above estimates. Forwarded to September 15 meeting.
TMP-8845 (Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course Hole 17 Retaining Wall Phase 2): Resolution to pre-purchase retaining wall blocks from Mack Industries and authorize bidding. Project extends the wall to protect Hole #3 green and Hole #4 tee box. Forwarded.
TMP-8846 (Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course Stormwater Management Project): Resolution to bid a stormwater storage project in a low-lying area to reduce downstream flooding on Nicholson Drive. Forwarded.
TMP-8871 (N. Main Street Stormwater Improvement Project): Resolution to install a new storm sewer collector system to alleviate flooding on Owen Brown Street, in partnership with a property owner. Forwarded.
TMP-8872 (Forward Clinton Crossing Preferred Site Plan to Planning Commission): Resolution to forward the concept plan for review. Forwarded.

Public Comments & Testimony

Council Member Goetz read a letter from resident Todd Zedak expressing strong opposition to the Canterbury Meadows settlement and development, questioning the community benefit and urging council to shut down the project permanently.

Discussion Items

26-0072 Hudson Innovation Park Update

Economic Development Manager Katie Behnke reported on:
- Salt barn relocation to a western sliver of the site (near Hines Hill Road) to facilitate future sale. Partnership with Summit County Engineer under discussion; construction targeted for next summer after salt depletion.
- Excess soil from the Public Works site moved to Innovation Park at no city cost (contractor responsible due to design error).
- Property tax abatement options: existing enterprise zone may be valid; council requested a one-page matrix comparing abatement structures (e.g., TIF, CRA) and neighboring community incentives.
- Hines Hill Road improvements (between SR 8 and Ohio Turnpike) are a recurring developer concern; council requested estimated costs.
- Real estate broker engagement deferred pending further interest.
Council directed staff to provide a detailed memo on tax abatement options and road improvement costs before deciding on next steps.

26-0073 Clinton Crossing Engagement

Community Development Director Greg Hannan presented:
- Community engagement: 125 residents in June charrette, 120 in July 1 session (over 100 surveys), 200+ in July 22 session (234 surveys), 145 surveys on August 22 preferred plan.
- Survey results: 60% in favor/strongly in favor of the general plan, 27% opposed/strongly opposed (over 2:1 support).
- Financial analysis by Bricker & Wyatt: TIF projections tracking that project will recoup city costs; 20-year TIF for north (clock may have started), 30-year non-school TIF for south.
- Hotel feasibility: Recommended 70 rooms to attract national brand (e.g., Marriott/Hyatt); traffic study underway for 20 intersections.
- Housing: Current concept plan shows 63 units (range 63-74); additional study of 81 units (27 single-family, 54 townhomes) provided.
Council discussion:
- Concerns about railroad proximity to hotel, but consultants deemed it feasible.
- Debate on density: Some members favored up to 74 units (as presented to public); others preferred 81 to generate more tax revenue for public space. Ultimately agreed on a maximum of 74 units with a mix of single-family and townhomes, converting some single-family to townhomes to achieve the count. Hotel set at 70 rooms.
- Requested updated financial projections from Bricker & Wyatt for the 74-unit/70-room scenario before forwarding to Planning Commission.
- Staff to present a revised concept plan at the next council workshop.

Key Outcomes

Hudson Innovation Park: Council directed staff to produce a one-page summary of property tax abatement options (including TIF and CRA) and an estimated cost for Hines Hill Road improvements, to be reviewed before further action.
Clinton Crossing: Council agreed to a target of 74 housing units (with townhome conversion) and 70 hotel rooms. Staff will prepare a revised concept plan and updated financials for council consideration at the next workshop. The resolution to forward the plan to Planning Commission (TMP-8872) was placed on the consent agenda for September 15.
Short-Term Rental Ordinance (26-78): Postponed to a date certain at the end of October to allow staff to compile feedback from a recent public forum (over 40 attendees) and a survey of neighbors (30% response rate; only 8 of 158 respondents reported contacting owners/managers).
Bond Ordinances (26-124 through 26-130): All forwarded for first reading on September 15. These include financing for Downtown Phase II properties ($740,000 and $925,000 notes), salt storage/bus garage ($6.825M notes), Public Works facility ($21M bonds), Velocity Broadband expansion ($15M notes), Fire/EMS facility renovation ($5M notes), and Advanced Metering Infrastructure ($3M notes).
Canterbury Meadows Settlement (26-118): Forwarded for public hearing and second reading on September 15.
Upcoming Proclamations: Mighty Vincent Day 2026, Jacob Meacham, Kiwanis 75th Anniversary, Constitution Week to appear on September 15 agenda.

Meeting adjourned at 9:04 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call this meeting to order. This is a duly noticed workshop meeting of Hudson City Council held in accordance with the Sunshine Laws of the State of Ohio, Section 121.22 in the City of Hudson Charter, Article 3, Section 3.02 for Tuesday, September 8th, 2026. It is 730 PM. Per ordinance 220.031 titled Workshop Meetings and Item C. I would now like to turn the meeting over to Council President Byrd so as to continue through the remaining workshop agenda items. Council President Byrd, the floor and workshop meeting is yours. Okay, thank you, Mayor. Um next number two correspondence and council comments. If you have any comments, uh get my attention, please. Uh thanks. Um first uh I was happy to make it back to Ohio just in time for the community picnic over the weekend. Uh really great event. Uh was really happy to see so many people come out and enjoy the perfect weather and the events that we had there. Uh big thank you to city staff and all the volunteers that helped put that together. It was uh extremely well done, and I hope we see that again uh in the future. Um also wanted to speak to um uh the home committee we met last week, which reminder includes council, uh the schools, parks, library, and the mayor. Um, and a few topics we discussed um are uh the transportation issues that we're seeing at the schools. Uh the school buses seem to be uh running a bit late. Uh so Tom, the city manager is gonna be uh working with uh school administration to better understand what is happening and see how we could help. Um also discussed e-bikes and e-scooters, which is something that we've been discussing quite a bit. Um the schools and parks share many of our same safety concerns. Uh so we're gonna be working together on educational communication. Um and then we're looking to have another meeting, uh, which I just told uh councilwoman D'Armo about. Um we're gonna meet with the school board, uh the parks, the mayor, the police chief, uh, to kind of come together and just make sure we're we're tackling everything that we're seeing. Um from there, we'd like to have another forum um at the schools where the students will be able to speak on what they're seeing since primarily they're the ones using these uh vehicles. Um and the last thing I wanted to mention is uh bird song. Um I did speak with Linda at the home committee meeting. Um the park board is very supportive of using the parks to display the birds and continue this tradition in a broader sense. Uh so I'm gonna continue working with uh the mayor and uh Adriana on a path forward for 2027. That's all. Thanks. I too want to say that Sunday was terrific and want to say that Mayor did an excellent job with the song um that we played Gettysburg. If you haven't heard that song, it's very, very moving. It's from an old movie, and the mayor recited the Gettysburg Address as the band played. Um, so it was really perfect for um our 250th. And then um I didn't get this email in time last week, and this um resident, um, Mr. Todd Zedak um really wanted it read into the record, so I will read it. Um please read the following during uh tonight's city council meeting during the comment section. Thank you. I'm sorry I cannot be there tonight in person. My disgust with the proceedings surrounding the ridiculous retraction of Nicole Kowowski Center still rankles. And the goofy continues. Developers care about one thing, making a profit. At no time is anything anything presented regarding how cramming 32 large homes in the best is in the best interest of our community. Are these homes going to be ranch, single style, uh single story, zero height entry, first floor master type homes? I'll bet not. And why doesn't the council push this developer to create what many members of council think that Clinton Crossing could be? Where's the charrette? Please ask the city solicitor what the council needs to do to shut this down permanently. Thanks.

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