Date of Meeting: 6/2/2021

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

There were four separate parts to the meeting on June 2: The public hearing on the Zoning Map Amendment; City Council Committee Meetings; Special Council Meeting; Executive Session (closed to public).

Public Hearing on the Zoning Map Amendment -- for 107 Lake Street (currently N. Water Brewery) from Industrial to C-D Commercial Downtown. Bridget Susel outlined what the zoning change would mean and this would be a permanent change to the zoning map -- primarily the change would mean that brewing would continue, but the facility would include more retail, including serving food and drink. Don Schjeldahl, owner of North Water Brewing (107 Lake Street) spoke in favor of the changes. Susel said the parcel is adjacent to other C-D. Commercial designations. During the Council Meeting, city council approved the change with one abstention (Michael Deleon).

During the "committee" section and council meeting, the following received the most discussion:

Rezoning of Lake Street Map: See above, approved, with one abstention (Michael DeLeon) during full meeting.

Architectural Review Board: Approved the following: Art wall murals cannot be on the front of the building. Because of difficulties filling the committee appointments (see below), the council approved that the Main Street Kent's art board will serve as a kind of advisory board (on art) to the city council as it relates to art murals.

Architectural Review Board. There was a lot of discussion about the proposal to eliminate "color" from the ARB review process. All 5 ARB members opposed the measure. Council approved continuing to include color in the ARB review process (as supported by ARB review members). John Kuhar and Gwen Roseberg opposed the measure.

Architectural Review Board. A proposal that those outside of the historical overlay district does not need to go before the ARB. Approved by council opposed by Heidi Shaffer Bish and Tracy Wallach

Health issues (Mask mandates and mass gatherings): Effective on June 2, the state had dropped co-vid restrictions. Council approves the elimination of mask requirements and social distancing in government buildings. Businesses can decide on their own guidelines. The measures carried but opposed by T. Wallach, who wanted to continue mask guidelines until the end of July.

Council also approved: being fiscal agent for the South End Historic Signs; Solar Energy System guidelines; Assisted living; streets/funding.

Executive Committee deals with the appointments to committee vacancies. During the discussion in open meeting, council discussed that there were not applications for all the vacancies.

Which members of the board/council were present: Mayor Jerry Fiala, Council President; Amy Wilkens, Clerk of Council; Jack Amrhein; John Kuhar; Heidi Shaffer Bish; Tracy Wallach; Gwen Rosenberg; Michael DeLeone; Roger Sidoti; Robin Turner. Garret Ferrara was absent.

Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes

Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes

Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes

https://www.kentohio.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06022021-866