COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 21, 2025
Willoughby City Council Meeting Summary
• October 21, 2025 •
Ken Kary • Councilman Ward 2
NOTE
These notes “are not” the official minutes for Willoughby City Council.
The views I express in these Council Meeting Summaries are my own and do not reflect any official view or position of the City of Willoughby.
The “official” Council Minutes are posted on the City of Willoughby Website
https://willoughbyohio.com/city-council/
Committee Meetings:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING:
Committee: Ken Kary, Dan Anderson, Dan Garry
EAS #14-6-25(b)
Construction of four (4) townhomes consisting of two (2) duplexes located at 4317 Center Street (The Enclave at Literary Pointe Phase 2).
Mr. Langa stated the townhomes will look like the ranches in the Enclave in appearance and will share the HOA with the Enclave as well (including lawn service, maintenance and snow plowing). The driveways will come out on the private drive of Enclave (Literary Lane).
Mr. Kary stated there were no traffic concerns, no storm water concerns, no concerns from Police or Fire. The Fire Department noted the street was a no parking street with signage. There were no noise, water or air pollution concerns, minimal demands on the school system, and no hazardous waste concerns. Mr. Langa stated they would like to get the foundation in before winter with construction completed in six to eight months. They would like to construct both duplexes simultaneously. Mr. Karry stated the Planning Commission has approved this EAS.
There were no other comments or concerns. Mr. Kary stated the committee recommends passage of EAS #14-6-25(b).
The Environmental Planning Committee adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
October 21, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
Clerk Novak read the legal notice for the public hearing on the proposed Codified Ordinance text amendments
Those Speaking in Favor-
Jeff Malecki,1249 South Beachview Road, Willoughby, Ohio – Mr. Malecki expressed concerns regarding the ongoing issue of short-term rental properties in the community. He voiced frustration over investorspurchasing homes for rental purposes. Mr. Malecki stated he does not oppose individuals earning income but thinks such practices diminish the sense of community. He thinks the City is at risk of losing its character and becoming overly commercialized, akin to a bed-and-breakfast destination, which he believes is inappropriate given the town’s charm and appeal.
(Mr. Carr informed Mr. Malecki that he was speaking in favor of the proposal).
Those Speaking in Opposition-
No one spoke.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Council Meeting of October 7, 2025
STANDING AND REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
No major reports
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Carr read into the record an e-mail from Gia Raffaele regarding short-term rentals
PUBLIC PORTION
Jeff Malecki,1249 South Beachview Road, Willoughby, Ohio –
Regarding two town ditch, Mr. Malecki asked whether any progress had been made regarding cleanup andrestoration efforts. He pointed out that the creek is used by the City for stormwater discharge, which he claims is causing environmental damage downstream. He stated that if water discharge harms neighboring properties, the City could be held liable. Mr. Palmisano stated that a meeting with Lake County officials was scheduled for the following week. Mr. Malecki expressed disappointment that he had not been informed of the meeting.
Mr. Malecki stated his grandchildren helped to clean up the creek area by collecting bags of trash. He statedthat since the waste was not his, it should be the City’s responsibility to remove it. Mr. Palmisano stated that the City would arrange for pickup.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-127
A resolution approving EAS #14-6-25(b) for the construction of four (4) townhomes consisting of two (2) duplexes located at 4317 Center Street (The Enclave at Literary Pointe Phase 2).
No discussion.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-128
A resolution authorizing the Director of Parks and Recreation to prepare specifications and toadvertise for bids for playground equipment and park amenities necessary to the Daniels Park Playground, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr stated this resolution advertises for bids but doesn’t specify what equipment. Ms. Keller stated she will specify items that she doesn’t want (plastic windows) and also required equipment. The contractor willdesign the playground based on what is required. This spring is the deadline for installation. Mr. Tomaselliasked if the bids will include the surface of the playground and the retaining wall. Ms. Keller stated it does include the surface and the retaining wall; it does not include the chain link fence. Ms. Keller stated that if the surface is still good, it will be reused. There was discussion regarding the flooding at this playground and how to address it. Willoughby Hills has inquired about purchasing some of the old playground equipment but it is 25 years old.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-129
An ordinance amending Chapters 1103, 1131, 1141, and 1155 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Willoughby, Ohio titled, “Definitions”, “One Family Residential Districts”, “Business Districts”, and “Use Specific Regulations”, respectively, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Carr stated previously there was an urgency to pass legislation prior to the state passing legislationregarding short term rentals. He stated that Planning Commission has approved the legislation before Council this evening. Mr. Carr stated he feels there is a lot of details to the legislation and there is no longer a timeframe in which it needs to be passed. He suggested tabling the legislation this evening and perhapsdo a work session with the Planning Commission.
Mayor Fiala explained that the urgency stemmed from a proposed state deadline in October; ifmunicipalities hadn’t acted by then, the state could have taken over regulation of short-term rentals. He stated that the property tax issue has taken the full attention of both the Senate and the representatives, and that short-term rental legislation is not on the radar screen right now, which gives the city a little bit of breathing room.
Law Director Lucas explained that the ordinance was deliberately limited to the zoning component due to time constraints. He noted that the second part of the legislation covering excise taxes and transient vendor regulation can go right to Council without needing Planning Commission review. Mr. Lucas also discussed legal revisions made after Planning Commission feedback. Originally, the ordinance included escalating penalties, but those were removed because during prior litigation it was discovered that there's an immediate revocation in the language of the codified ordinances if there's a violation of a condition. He emphasized the importance of due process, stating that if there's an appeal of that revocation notice, there's an automatic stay, which allows the rental operation to continue during the appeal process. Mr. Lucas stated that the enforcement authority would rest with the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), not the Planning Commission. He stressed that it was important to ensure due process rights protected because it's a vested property right.
Several council members voiced a preference for seeing both parts of the legislation presented together.to see the full picture. Mayor Fiala agreed and stated that the real meat will be the other piece of legislation which would address key operational details such as the value of the tax, when the City would doinspections, the yearly fees and how many short term rentals will be permitted in the City. Mr. Carr suggested a proposed a joint work session. Mr. Lucas stated that the administration could prepare the second piece of legislation to have ready at the next council meeting.
Mayor Fiala stated that the proposed fees and unit limits were just based on limited research; the cap onunits was derived from “simple math” based on the number of wards, and anticipated that most rentals would be concentrated near downtown or on the lakefront. Council members discussed the possibility of using conditional use permits to allow for future expansion. Council agreed to table the ordinance this evening.
The Legislative Caucus adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
NOTE:
For accuracy, this section has been copied from the council meeting minutes
MAYORS REPORT
Mayor Fiala stated that the Lake County Commissioners will have a property tax meeting on October 27th atthe Willoughby Hills Community Center from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. He stated that Lake County Auditor Chris Galloway has been very proactive in addressing property tax reform. He’s working closely with a group ofauditors from across Ohio who are advocating for solutions to this issue. The Lake County Commissioners are now actively participating as well.
DIRECTOR’S REPORTS
Service Director Palmisano – Mr. Palmisano stated that one leaf pick-up truck is out currently; there will be more trucks out after the next weekend.
Parks & Recreation Director Keller – Ms. Keller thanked Council for the passage of Resolution No. 2025-128. Mr. Carr asked about the permit for Osborne Park. Ms. Keller stated she has not received anything yet other than an e-mail stating that it’s ready. She mentioned that the agency is shutdown (due to the government shutdown).
COUNCIL REPORTS
No major reports
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
COMMENTS BY COUNCILMAN KARY
Please accept my apologies for refraining from commenting on this post. Yesterday was election day, and between that activity and all the calls and notes I need to take, I am giving myself a “break”.
We will be “swearing in” a new Member to Willoughby City Council in January 2026.
Larry Luciano was elected to replace Councilman Mike Merhar Ward 5. I wish Mike all the best for his service to the city. For Larry, we extend our congratulations and wish him the best in serving his constituents and the City of Willoughby.
Congratulations, Larry
NOTE
The views I express in these Council Meeting Summaries are my own and do not reflect any official view or position of the City of Willoughby. The “official” Council Minutes are posted on the
City of Willoughby Website
https://willoughbyohio.com/city-council/