Votes at a glance: Xenia council approves land sales, alley vacation, multiple rezones, utility agreements and sewer rehab contract

The Xenia City Council on March 12 took a series of procedural and final actions. Key outcomes: the council approved the sale of city-owned property at 714 East Market Street to RIM O Construction LLC (Ordinance 2026-07); vacated an unused alley serving multiple parcels (Ordinance 2026-08); rezoned 31.21 acres at 817 Upper Bell Road to a PUD for a 160-unit townhome concept (Ordinance 2026-09); approved a street name change in the Summerbrook subdivision (Ordinance 2026-10); rezoned 39 Winder Street (the former Rosenia Armory) from P1 to B1 (Ordinance 2026-11); authorized an extraterritorial utility services agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to serve a watchtower and amenities at Great Council State Park (Resolution 2026-014); authorized an extraterritorial agreement with BEF Foods Inc. to formalize wastewater and water service compliance (Resolution 2026-15); and awarded a contract to InSitu Technologies LLC for sewer pipeline rehabilitation (Resolution 2026-16).

Roll-call summaries and notable procedural points:

- Ordinance 2026-07 (sale of 714 E. Market to RIM O Construction LLC): Motion moved and seconded; public hearing opened and closed with no public speakers; roll call showed all present voting yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2026-08 (vacate alley): Public hearing closed with no speakers; council moved and approved the ordinance by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2026-09 (rezoning to PUD at 817 Upper Bell Road): Planning staff presented and the planning commission had previously unanimously supported the concept; public hearing included resident traffic concerns; council approved the rezoning by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2026-10 (street name change to Connor Drive, Summerbrook subdivision): Staff cited statutory naming procedure (OC 7 section 723.04 as referenced in meeting) and council approved the change by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2026-11 (rezone 39 Winder Street to B1): Public comment included concerns about traffic and an ecological claim regarding bats; staff recommended the rezoning to align with adjacent business districts and council approved by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2026-014 (exterritorial service agreement with ODNR): Agreement will provide water and sewer to a planned watchtower at Great Council State Park and includes standard connection sizing and surcharge provisions; council approved the resolution with Mayor Reynolds recorded as abstaining. Outcome: approved (one abstention).

- Resolution 2026-15 (exterritorial service agreement with BEF Foods Inc.): Agreement formalizes long-standing service and enforcement mechanisms after OEPA review; staff recommended formalization rather than annexation; council approved by roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2026-16 (sewer pipeline rehabilitation contract award): Low bid from InSitu Technologies LLC at approximately $346,550 (engineer’s estimate $442,280); council approved the contract award. Outcome: approved.

Other business: The council held the required initial public hearing for the 2026 CDBG small cities allocation ($164,000 biennial allocation) and outlined a May 14 project-specific hearing and deadlines for project proposals; staff also briefed council on citizen complaints about private contractors performing underground fiber work on private easements (PUCO oversight), pothole damage from winter weather and options to address repairs, and the pursuit of potential federal funding for the market district.

Records: Motions and roll-call outcomes were recorded in the meeting minutes and roll calls indicated majority support for each item; where the transcript recorded abstentions or abstains, those are noted in the individual item summaries below.