Hudson City Council Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Hudson City Council met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Town Hall. The meeting featured a public hearing on a proposed settlement agreement for the Canterbury Meadows development, along with proclamations, consent agenda approvals, and first readings of multiple bond ordinances. The meeting adjourned at 12:07 AM following an executive session.

Proclamations

• The council recognized the Mighty Vincent Project (2026), which has mobilized 2,635 volunteers providing 6,017 hours of service to 31 nonprofits and raised over $108,000. The week of September 9–27, 2026 was proclaimed.
• Jacob Meacham was recognized for calmly assisting a friend during an emergency, enabling rapid response.
• The Hudson Kiwanis Club’s 75th anniversary was celebrated; September 24, 2026 was proclaimed Kiwanis Club Day.
• Constitution Week (September 17–23, 2026) was proclaimed, accepted by a Daughters of the American Revolution representative.

Consent Calendar

• 26-0079 – Motion to acknowledge the August 2026 monthly financial report.
• 26-120 – Resolution authorizing pre-purchase of retaining wall blocks for Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course Hole 17 Phase 2 (emergency).
• 26-121 – Resolution authorizing the Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course storm water management project.
• 26-122 – Resolution authorizing the N. Main Street storm water improvement project (emergency).
• 26-123 – Resolution forwarding the Clinton Crossing preferred site plan to Planning Commission for concept site plan review. All consent items were approved unanimously (7-0) after suspending the three-reading rule.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing on Resolution 26-118 (Canterbury Meadows Settlement)

The hearing opened at 7:54 PM and closed at 10:15 PM. Testimony included:

• City’s outside counsel Michael Cicero explained that a constitutional hardship claim by the developer triggered involvement of NORMA (insurance pool). He stated the city hired Planning Next for independent zoning analysis.
• Planning Next consultants (Sarah Kelly, Delaney Sillman) testified that the proposed 32-lot open space conservation subdivision complies with the Land Development Code (LDC), fits within common definitions of conservation subdivisions, and compels better design than conventional development.
• Property owners within 300 feet:
  • Council Member Skylar Sutton (speaking as a resident, recused from dais) argued the settlement violates state and local law, bypasses Planning Commission authority, sets a “pay-to-play” precedent, and that the hardship claim process was not followed. He stated he is prepared to seek court relief.
  • Melissa Jones (adjacent property owner, accompanied by attorney Mark Stockman) objected that she had not received requested public records (hardship claim documents) and could not fully testify. She questioned the legality of the settlement and the city’s authority to override the Planning Commission.
  • Kim Cosma Segedy expressed concern about stormwater runoff onto her property from the development.
  • Nova Buchanan raised concerns about privacy, contiguous open space, and traffic (32 homes adding at least 60 commuters, school buses, etc.) at the dangerous Ravenna-Stow Road intersection.
• Other municipal residents:
  • Jennifer Justi Keleman requested a traffic study, citing dangerous intersection.
  • Mary Miller (Fox Trace Lane) worried about stormwater impacts and settlement bypassing Planning Commission.
  • Susan Newman (Hudson Heritage Association) argued the settlement contradicts the city charter by undermining Planning Commission and ignoring the current Comprehensive Plan (2024).
  • Christine Thaxton (Thaxton Family Farm) raised environmental concerns: stormwater management, soil stability, well contamination, and noted campaign contributions to three council members from developer-associated entities.
  • Phil Leiter stated the settlement sets a dangerous precedent allowing developers to bypass boards by threatening lawsuits.
  • Greg Hall requested independent scrutiny of land valuation, asked for litigation costs, and noted that three council members received campaign donations.
  • Leonore Cosma (Hudson Equestrian Center) asked about floodwater from Brandywine Creek headwaters and traffic.
  • Todd Zedak emphasized that residents have no financial interest, only community protection.
  • Sarah Norman pointed out missing details in the plan and the lack of a proper hardship process under Chapter 1210 (dating to 1958).
  • Anthony Ravida alleged that City Manager Sheridan ‘moves the rules’ and that information is withheld.
• Developer’s attorney John Slagter stated that the developer worked in good faith, that the Planning Commission’s decision was inconsistent, and that the code has internal inconsistencies. He maintained that council has authority to settle and that the developer’s constitutional rights are at stake. He offered to provide a written list of inconsistencies.
• Council questions: Council members Brezovec, D’Eramo, Bird, and Weinstein asked clarifying questions. Brezovec expressed appreciation for hearing legal arguments. Bird stated that campaign contributions do not create a conflict of interest under Ohio ethics law. Weinstein echoed that donations do not affect her vote.

General Public Comments (after hearing)

• Caitlin Honniball reported raw sewage backup in her home for three weeks and criticized city communication. Mayor Anzevino responded that the city contacted Summit County (which owns the sanitary sewer) and that a collapsed pipe was found and is being replaced.
• Melissa Jones clarified her recusal from Planning Commission discussions on Canterbury Meadows following Ohio Ethics Commission advice.
• Todd Zedak thanked Council Member Sutton for articulating the law and urged council to follow rules.
• Anthony Ravida alleged wrongdoing by city staff.

Discussion Items

• Council Comments:
  • Dr. Goetz praised EMS response at a local Acme incident and noted a conflict between Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board over a townhome plan.
  • Brezovec reported on fire station renovations (including new women’s locker room) and Velocity Broadband timeline updates.
  • Weinstein mentioned Graze on the Green, the Hired in Hudson job fair (Sept 16), and Planning Commission actions (approval of townhomes, daycare, discussion of moratorium on planned developments).
  • Bird noted the 9/11 commemoration and the Trike and Bike fundraiser that raised $30,000 for pediatric cancer research.
• City Manager Report: Sheridan announced the senior snow plow program (150 spots, Sept 14-Oct 14), splash pad closing at end of September, and a planned map for Velocity Broadband installation schedules.
• Appointments: None made; deadline extended to Sept 25 for multiple boards.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (7-0): Financial report, Ellsworth Meadows projects, N. Main Street storm sewer, and Clinton Crossing concept plan referral.
• Ordinance 26-78 (Short-Term Rentals) postponed to November 10, 2026 (vote 5-2; Sutton and Brezovec opposed).
• Resolution 26-118 (Canterbury Meadows Settlement) received its second reading; third reading scheduled for October 6, 2026. No action taken.
• Bond ordinances (26-124 through 26-130) all had first readings for financing various capital projects:
  • 26-124: $740,000 for property at Owen Brown & Morse (Windstream land) – first reading.
  • 26-125: $925,000 for 94 Owen Brown Street – first reading.
  • 26-126: Up to $6,825,000 for salt storage and bus maintenance at 5810 Hudson Drive – first reading.
  • 26-127: Up to $21,000,000 for new Public Works facility – first reading.
  • 26-128: Up to $15,000,000 for Velocity Broadband expansion – first reading.
  • 26-129: Up to $5,000,000 for Fire/EMS facility renovation – first reading.
  • 26-130: Up to $3,000,000 for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) – first reading.
• Executive Session entered at 11:11 PM (vote 6-1, Sutton abstained) to discuss pending litigation and property matters; meeting resumed at 12:07 AM and adjourned.