Vandalia City Council Meeting – October 6, 2025

The Vandalia City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered routine approvals, public comments, several resolutions, and two second‑reading ordinances, including a controversial planned unit development (PUD) on Mulberry Road that was ultimately denied on a 2‑4 vote.

Consent Calendar (Unanimous Approvals)

• Approval of Minutes: The Council Study Session minutes and Council Meeting minutes of September 2, 2025, were approved without changes.
• Boards & Commissions Appointments: Laura Rohde was appointed to the Vandalia Arts Council (vote 6‑0). Marcus O’Brien was appointed to the Vandalia Planning Commission (vote 6‑0).
• Resolution 25‑R‑42: Authorized the City Manager to enter into a debt collection agreement with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for delinquent tax debt (vote 6‑0).
• Resolution 25‑R‑43: Approved a financial contribution to the Vandalia Development Corporation for economic development incentives (vote 6‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑24 (First Reading): Amended the City of Vandalia Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule (vote 6‑0).
• Ordinance 25‑23 (Second Reading): Approved a PUD major amendment and revised final development plan for a new Lincoln dealership at 55 Foley Drive (vote 6‑0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ordinance 25‑22 (Mulberry Road PUD): Several residents spoke in opposition. Concerns included traffic safety on narrow, winding Mulberry Road; inadequate infrastructure; single access point; increased traffic cutting through nearby neighborhoods (Greystone Circle, Copperfield); smaller lot sizes (1/10 acre vs. existing homes) reducing property values; parking issues from one‑car garages; and impacts on children’s safety and school overcrowding. Resident Mark Fernelius urged rejection due to insufficient infrastructure. Another resident noted that a similar plan was defeated 4‑3 three years ago. Thomas Witt described the road as “rural” and stated that adding 97 homes would “ruin it.” Ted Grady cited a national average of 1.8 cars per household and argued for sensible lot sizes. Sarah Becker shared a negative experience from Colorado with similar lower‑income housing next to larger homes. Don Hutchison questioned why the plan keeps returning and called the traffic study unreliable. Steve Ash noted that the traffic analysis did not study impacts on the Copperfield neighborhood.
• Attorney Robert Ballinger (for the developer) argued the PUD is consistent with the 2020 comprehensive plan (medium‑density residential, townhomes intended), serves a need for workforce housing, and that a traffic engineer’s report shows no congestion issues. He also stated single‑family homes are not economically feasible on the 11.36‑acre parcel.
• Bike Path Sign Issue: Resident Don Hutchison requested relocation of a “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” sign on North Brown School Road that was placed in front of a 95‑year‑old resident’s property without notification. City staff noted the sign is in the right‑of‑way and options would be reviewed.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 25‑22 – Mulberry Road PUD: Council debated the 13 review criteria for PUD approval. Councilmember Dugan expressed concerns about single access, inadequate road capacity, noise from the interstate, privacy, lack of play areas for children, and parking. Councilmember First concurred that the layout and building design are detrimental to the surrounding single‑family neighborhood and that increased traffic is a concern. Vice Mayor Blakesley emphasized following procedures and relying on the planning commission’s fact‑based evaluation. Councilmember Lewis supported the motion to deny. After a procedural motion to approve failed 2‑4, the ordinance was effectively denied (Yeas: Lewis, Mayor Hurt; Nays: First, Avalotis Weaver, Dugan, Blakesley).
• City Manager’s Report (Information): Leaf collection began October 6 through December; free large debris drop‑off on October 11 from 8 AM–2 PM at the Public Works Garage; Vandalia Fall Festival on October 11 from 12–6 PM at the Sports Complex; 2026 Budget Workshops on October 14 (4–7 PM) and October 20 (4–6 PM, with a break for study session and council meeting).
• Council Comments: Councilmembers thanked residents for their input. Mayor proposed establishing a charter review committee to revisit the city charter, last updated in 2014‑2015; council agreed.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 25‑22 Denied: The motion to approve the PUD for 87 townhomes at 3330 Mulberry Road failed 2‑4, meaning the ordinance was not adopted. The property remains zoned agricultural.
• All Other Agenda Items Approved Unanimously as listed under Consent Calendar.
• Charter Review Committee: Council indicated support for forming a committee to review the city charter.
• Executive Session: The agenda listed an executive session for real property sale, but it was not held during the open meeting; the meeting adjourned after council comments.