Residents Pack Public Hearing to Oppose Butternut Ridge Road Rezoning

North Olmsted City Council held a public hearing on February 24, 2026, on Ordinance 2025-100 — a proposal to rezone Permanent Parcel No. 236-10-015 on Butternut Ridge Road from A-One Family Residence District to Planned Development, which would allow multi-family housing on the site.

Residents turned out in force to oppose the rezoning, presenting detailed arguments about its impact on the Butternut Ridge Road Historic District.

Robert Perry, a resident since 1974 and a city planner and development director with over 60 years of professional experience, warned Council that approving the rezoning would set a precedent that would be difficult to reverse. "If the Council decides to rezone land to allow multifamily homes or apartments on Butternut Ridge Road Historic District — which is all single-family zoning — this will not be the last of that kind of rezoning. It will just be the first," Perry said, adding that the move would likely attract developers and lead to the deterioration of historic homes.

Robert Sharp, a 47-year resident, submitted a written analysis of the city's 2025 master plan and Historic District guidelines, arguing that both documents "are saturated with information and intentions of preserving the Historic District" and directly contradict the proposed rezoning.

Councilman Limpert clarified for residents that no Council member had expressed a desire to abandon the Historic District. "This is the first time that this piece of proposal is in front of our Council for a public hearing, for us to review and have a meeting on and vote on," he said.

No vote was taken at the hearing. Per the city's Charter, the next step is a Building, Zoning and Development Committee work session, followed by second and third readings of the legislation before a final vote.