Following is a summary of the December 14, 2021 City Council Workshop. To watch the full meeting, visit www.hudson.oh.us/WatchMeetings.
Executive Session
- Council entered executive session to interview applicants for Planning Commission.
Council Comments
- Council members commented on the success of Christkindlmarkt this weekend and thanked all those involved with organizing the event.
- This week the Hudson Community Television Studio was named in honor of Frank Youngwerth for his long history of support and service to HCTV.
- Planning Commission approved design changes for the Western Reserve Hospital Medical Center off Seasons Road. It also approved the conditional use for a 33-town-home development on the west side of Darrow Road, south of Stoney Hill Drive. Planning Commission discussed the re-platting of Park Lane for right-of-way dedication of a permanent parcel back to the City. Other items discussed were the remodel of ACME Plaza and the expansion of the Historic District.
Discussion Items
- Preferred, Limited-Preferred, or Single Trash Hauler. The City of Hudson’s existing preferred trash and recycling hauler agreement will expire on March 31, 2022. A new contract was put out to public bid and bids have been received by the Public Works Department. As directed by City Council, the bid documents for this service requested bidders to provide pricing for three service options: Preferred, Limited-Preferred, and Single Hauler. After a discussion, Council directed staff to continue with the current arrangement of having a Preferred Hauler.
- Public Improvements Requested by the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation (Dba Peg’s Foundation). The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation (Foundation) is requesting various collaborative public improvements including a new fire pit area located on their property at 17 & 32 N. Main St. & 53 First St. The concept is to enhance the adjacent First & Main green space and connect it to this new site for public use including several new sidewalks, benches, a sculpture, trash receptacles, and two new concrete sidewalks located on the northwest City green at the corner of Park Lane and N. Main St. Cost to the City would be approximately $104,600. While Council thought the sidewalk might be appropriate, they were hesitant to approve public money for the private property amenities requested by Peg’s Foundation. There was a consensus that the fire pit should be more centrally located in First & Main.
- City Storm Water Policy. Council requested a discussion of the current Storm Water Policy that was approved in 2015 by City Council. The 2015 Policy does not permit the City to perform stormwater work or improvements on private property. Council has received complaints from citizens about stormwater issues on their property. Council agreed that changing the policy would require thoughtful consideration about the added costs of installation and ongoing maintenance of improvements on private property. Council will form a committee to address the City’s stormwater efforts and policy, looking for ways to improve management of stormwater in the community.
- Summit County Sanitary Sewer Improvements and Future Easements.Staff gave Council an update on an upcoming Summit County sanitary sewer improvements project. The County Department of Sanitary Sewer Services is requesting sanitary sewer easements on several City of Hudson properties located in the downtown area of Hudson for sanitary sewer improvements.
- Currently in the former Village, many of the old homes have downspouts that tie into the sanitary sewers. During storms, it creates an overflow which eventually causes sewer water to flow into the nearby creek. The project will involve replacing the downspout connections and attaching them to the storm sewer lines. The County has received a grant for this work, so there will be no cost to the homeowners. The goal is to reduce the inflow and infiltration by 50%. The project also will involve infrastructure improvements including a new force main and pump station.
- 2021 Land Development Code Update.As part of regular reviews of the Land Development Code, City staff recently reviewed and updated a list of proposed amendments to continue some commercial focus items but also to incorporate some proposed amendments focused on efficiency and addressing noted requests from Council and residents. The recent change recommended was for children’s play equipment subject to the following conditions:
- Children’s play equipment shall include but is not limited to playhouses, treehouses, tree platforms, swing sets, trampolines, and zip lines.
- Children’s play equipment shall not exceed 200 square feet in gross floor area.
- Children’s play equipment shall be setback at least ten feet from an adjacent property line; and
- Children’s play equipment shall only be permitted within the side or rear yard.
Based on the discussion, staff will proceed to have Council vote on the amendment next week as presented.
- Council Agenda Review. Council members will consider the need for amendments to the current Rules of Council relating to the agenda review process. The Council President proposed that future meeting agendas be established during Council Workshops rather than during Friday morning staff meetings. City staff will follow this direction for future agendas.