The Hudson, Ohio Planning Commission met on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 27 East Main Street. Chair Sarah Norman called the meeting to order, and all seven commissioners were present: Chair Norman, Vice Chair Angela Smith, and Commissioners Fred Innamorato, Chelsea McCoy, David Nystrom, Jessie Obert, and Matt Romano. Chair Norman placed all prospective testifiers under oath. The meeting ran up against its mandated 11:45 p.m. cutoff, and both conditional use public hearings on the agenda—the Hudson Middle School driveway modification and the boarding kennel—were continued to future meetings without final decisions.
No members of the public came forward to speak on items not on the agenda. Chair Norman reported two communications: a meeting with City staff and Fairmont Properties regarding proposed townhomes in the Clinton Street area, and her attendance at the recent Ohio Landbank Conference.
The Application: The Hudson City School District requested a conditional use approval to widen the Hudson Middle School driveway entrance at N. Oviatt Street to provide a three-lane driveway for its full length. The prior 2008 conditional use approval included a post-construction condition requiring a traffic analysis verifying the level of service at the intersection.
The applicant stated the on-site debris was from a required lead abatement process during construction, that the school board has owned the Saywell House for many years, and that the Oviatt Street operational issues were not anticipated in the original plan. He acknowledged the district tried to get on the April agenda but the docket was full, and he could not confirm that the five school board members had voted on the specific proposal being presented.
Resident testimony and positions:
Commissioner discussion:
The Application: The property owner requested a conditional use approval for a boarding kennel on Darrow [Road]. Staff stated the property is being consolidated and the business had a break in operations, making this a new conditional use requiring Planning Commission approval.
Key facts: Staff member Sugar noted Community Development received a tree clearing application on March 8, 2025, which he responded to on March 11, 2025. The applicant cut down both live and dead trees on the property. The applicant stated this is not a drop-in boarding operation—reservations are required—and described operations as primarily indoor, with dogs going outside only in small groups to relieve themselves. The applicant stated he received bad information that clearing under an acre of trees did not require a permit.
Commissioner concerns: The Chair noted the applicant began work on the project before the application was on the Planning Commission agenda, stating: "We have a situation here where the applicant, prior to his application getting on our agenda, began work on his project." A commissioner referenced the consolidated list of questions in the staff report and noted the only way to obtain a certificate of zoning compliance for this situation is through the conditional use public hearing process.
No decision was reached. The hearing was continued to the July 14, 2025 Planning Commission meeting without a requirement for supplemental information.
Chair Norman provided an update from the recent Ohio Landbank Conference. The Commission then discussed residential density allowances in the Land Development Code (LDC), using a housing chart prepared by staff. A subcommittee is reviewing the first round of LDC density provisions and plans to prepare a red-line version for the full Planning Commission. Another subcommittee meeting was scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2025. The Commission also held discussion on the demolition review process, noting that the Middle School project must also be reviewed by the Architectural Historic Board of Review (AHBR).
The time is now 7 30, and I would like to call to order this meeting of the Hudson Planning Commission, which has been duly noticed under the sunshine law of the states of Ohio, State of Ohio. Um the first item we need is a roll call, Mr. Sugar. Yes. Ms. Smith? Here. Mr. Anamorato? Here. Ms. McCoy? Here. Mr. Nystrom. Here. Miss Obert. Here. Mr. Romano? Here. Miss Norman. Here. We have a quorum of seven of seven members present. This evening we have a lot of people wishing to deliver public testimony to us, either as a member of the public or on one of the public hearings that will be held during the agenda on this this evening. If you are intending to speak to this commission, even if you cannot see us in your downstairs, please stand up, raise your right hand so that I can swear all of you in. If you intend to speak tonight, please stand up, raise your right hand. And we will be asking those of you downstairs if you have been sworn when you come up to speak. Um after I ask the question, just say I do. Do you swear or affirm under the penalty of perjury that you will deliver the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as you speak? If so, say I do. You may be seated. Thank you. Again, if you missed my announcement earlier, please be sure you have signed in so that we get your name spelled correctly in the minutes. The next item for business is item number four, approval of minutes. And we have two items under this business section. One is the minutes of the previous planning commission meeting on March 31st, 2025. Do we have a motion? Make a motion to approve. Second. We have a motion that's been seconded to approve the minutes as written. Is there any further comment or discussion by the planning commission? Seeing none, Mr. Sugar, would you call the roll? Ms. Smith? Yes. Mr. Anamorato? Yes.