Ravenna City Council Sets Public Hearing on Parking Lot Rezoning, Adopts Self Storage Rules

Ravenna City Council held a packed regular meeting Monday, August 3, moving through nine emergency ordinances, setting a public hearing for a rezoning proposal that drew pointed public comment, and hearing that longtime Ward IV representative Tim Calfee will not run again in 2027. Rezoning Proposal Draws Pushback From Public Council introduced Ordinance 2026-114 on first reading, which would rezone several Portage County parcels near the downtown library parking lot. Most of the parcels are part of an existing parking lot that has operated for more than two decades but was never formally reclassified. Two additional parcels would move from central business district to commercial district status. Council Member Carmen Laudato, who sponsored the measure through the planning committee, said the change only affects the parking lot itself and two parcels already functioning as commercial property. She stressed that no occupied homes in the surrounding neighborhood would be reclassified. During the delegation portion of the meeting, a Ravenna resident spoke against the ordinance, arguing that the area has served as a buffer between commercial and residential property since the early 2000s and should stay that way. She questioned whether the change would eventually invite more multifamily housing near residential blocks. A second resident described ongoing concerns about foot traffic, noise, and rental turnover near her home on the west side of the city. City Council President Rob Kairis said state law and city code require a public hearing before final action on a rezoning. He set that hearing for September 21, the same night as the Committee of the Whole meeting, and said documentation will be available at the clerk's office for 30 days beforehand. Council will vote after a third reading in October following the hearing. Self Storage Regulations Adopted as Emergency Measures Council adopted two companion ordinances establishing zoning rules for self storage facilities. Ordinance 2026-116 creates a new business regulation chapter for the facilities, and Ordinance 2026-121 adds self storage as a conditionally permitted use in industrial zoning districts. Council Member Christina West, who sponsored both measures through the Community and Economic Development Committee, said the city has operated under two temporary moratoriums while officials worked out the language. Both ordinances passed with emergency clauses so the rules would take effect before the current moratorium expires this month. Laudato noted for the public record that the emergency designation reflected a scheduling need rather than an urgent crisis. Council Approves Contracts, Financial Measures Council passed several additional ordinances on the consent agenda, all with emergency clauses. These included a contract with the Village of Mantua Police Department for dispatching services running through December 2029, and a purchase agreement with A and H Equipment for a new sewer jet vactor truck totaling $515,333. Council also approved a professional services agreement with the law firm Bricker, Graydon and Wyatt for legal work related to data center regulation and municipal law training, appropriating up to $8,000. Additional measures authorized certification of delinquent nuisance and utility bills to the county auditor, modified loan terms for three Portage Housing developments by reducing interest to zero percent and forgiving portions of debt, adopted an updated employee benefits plan, and approved a payroll and human resources services agreement with ADP. Council authorized a purchase order payment process for expenses exceeding $3,000, and approved a contract with Thompson Electric for a refurbished electrical breaker at the water treatment plant. Parks and Recreation Reports Growth Across Programs Parks and Recreation official Chris Bundy delivered an extended update to council. He said the department's new Facebook page has grown to roughly 950 followers since January, and adjustments to Tower Lodge rental scheduling have added more than $2,200 in revenue. Ball field rental income at Haversfield Park has grown significantly after fencing repairs and new hourly pricing. Bundy said total department revenue for the year through mid July reached $144,129, up from $125,831 during the same period last year. He also outlined upcoming programs including a fall festival at Sunbow scheduled for October 17, a youth girls volleyball league drawing signups from across Portage County, and a planned six concert series for next year. Calfee Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection During council remarks, Calfee announced he will not run for another term representing Ward IV when his current term ends. He cited his age, noting he will turn 77 by the end of this term, along with nearly 20 years of public service in Ravenna. Calfee said he wanted to announce his decision early to give potential candidates time to consider running and collect signatures ahead of th