Cleveland City Council meeting recap

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday.

The council approved the abandonment of an unopened right-of-way lying between Parker Street and Trunk Street. All surrounding property owners agreed to the abandonment. City staff and the planning commission both recommended approval, noting the land has never been improved and is better suited to be absorbed into adjacent parcels.

The council also held a public hearing and approved an ordinance to amend the city’s zoning ordinance related to multifamily developments. The changes reduce the minimum square footage for the first unit and remove the three-unit maximum requirement. A new standard was added requiring 7,500 square feet for the first unit and 1,500 square feet per additional unit. Staff described the move as a necessary correction to previously overly restrictive zoning.
 
The council approved a zoning change for approximately 89.67 acres on Holloway Road, rezoning the property from heavy industrial to a planned unit development. The planning commission had previously approved the request in a 6-2 vote with one member recusing. After extensive discussion about the use of vinyl siding in the development, the council ultimately approved the rezoning with a 5-2 vote, allowing vinyl siding on three sides of the homes in this particular development.

Council members also voted unanimously to purchase three downtown properties using stormwater funds. These include 300 Broad Street and a combined purchase of 140 Pearl Street and 501 Inman Street. The Pearl and Inman properties come with a five-year lease agreement for $1 per year, with a one-year termination clause after two years.

The council also discussed revisiting a city ordinance that allows the City to mandate the removal of dead or diseased trees on private property. Councilman Goff raised concerns about vague language, particularly regarding trees located deep on larger lots. Staff agreed to bring back revised language that clarifies the ordinance’s intent, limiting action to trees that pose a danger to neighboring properties or public areas.

Councilman Goff also raised a concern about code enforcement sending notices regarding expired license plates on cars parked in private driveways. He suggested that responsibility for enforcing vehicle registration should remain with the police and not code enforcement, especially when property owners are being held accountable for tenant vehicles. Staff and council agreed to further review the current policy.

The next Cleveland City Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026.