#city-council

An emergency resolution introduced May 6, 2026 by Councilman Richard Starr formally objects to a new D5A liquor permit at 24 Public Square — triggering a state-mandated review pause for one of downtown Cleveland's most prominent addresses.

A new ordinance introduced in Cleveland City Council on April 24, 2026 would enact a comprehensive short-term rental regulatory framework — creating new code sections governing STR licensing, amending the Transient Occupancy Tax, adjusting single-family zoning rules, and repealing the existing limited lodging provisions that have governed Airbnb-style rentals since 2017.

An emergency ordinance introduced at Cleveland City Council on April 24, 2026 would create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in the city, establishing regulations for public alcohol consumption within a defined zone. DORAs have become popular economic development tools in Ohio cities to support entertainment districts.

Cleveland City Council introduced an emergency ordinance declaring a moratorium on zoning permits, certificates of occupancy, and utility permits for data centers citywide. The measure — filed April 24, 2026 as File 556-2026 — signals mounting concern over the power demands, water use, and neighborhood impact of AI-era computing facilities.

Avon City Council passed Ordinance 37-26 as an emergency measure imposing a one-year temporary moratorium on all new data center development citywide, running through April 14, 2027. Council cited rising developer interest and said the city needs time to study state codes and draft comprehensive local regulations covering data-center land use, water, and power demand.

Avon Lake City Council passed Resolution 26-18 accepting a $69,072 grant from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council's 2026 Energized Community program, which provides member cities with funding for local energy efficiency and sustainability projects.

Columbus City Council is advancing a $75 million modification to its wholesale electric power supply agreement with American Electric Power Energy Partners that now includes renewable energy credits — a significant expansion of the city's clean energy procurement for the Division of Power.

Cleveland City Council's Transportation and Mobility Committee convened the last in a series of public hearings on the future of Burke Lakefront Airport on April 15, closing the formal deliberation period over whether the lakefront airfield should be redeveloped, converted to parkland, or preserved for aviation. The outcome could reshape miles of Cleveland's lakefront for decades.

Councilmember Richard A. Starr introduced an emergency ordinance to allocate 50% of revenues from the city’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative for use by Cleveland City Council and to appropriate those funds to the established Neighborhood Equity Fund. The measure (File 460-2026) was filed April 6, 2026, and is currently at first reading.

At its March 3, 2026 meeting, North Olmsted City Council heard reports on a recent multi-community power outage and a $38,070 micro-grant to expand the police body‑worn camera program, and received updates on several upcoming community events and an ongoing enforcement matter at Westbury Apartments.

Dozens of North Olmsted residents spoke at a February 24 public hearing to oppose a rezoning request that would allow multi-family housing on Butternut Ridge Road, arguing it would set a damaging precedent for the city's Historic District.

At the January 20 meeting, North Olmsted Council received a budget timeline preview, advanced a feasibility study for former school properties, and heard how a years-old confiscated silver coin case netted the city over $123,000.