Councilwoman Melissa Hiner discusses the process of issuing high grass notices in the village. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

LISBON — The long-proposed revamping of Lisbon’s zoning code took a step forward on Tuesday as village council passed an ordinance authorizing the revision during a regular meeting.

Through the ordinance, council “initiates the statutory process for amending and revising” chapters 1160 through 1182 “otherwise known as the Village of Lisbon Zoning Code” and advances the amended zoning code to the Lisbon Planning Commission “for further discussion.”

“Hopefully we will have this approved by the end of the year and this will be culminating a process of five or six years,” Mayor Pete Wilson said.

Revising the village zoning code was one of Wilson’s stated initiatives in 2024 and has been discussed by council for the better part of a decade. Last year, the village took a major step turning those talks into action when it hired professionals to re-write the code. Zoning Officer Zackary Barkley has since been combing through the revised draft. Council thanked Barkley on his dedication and determination in advancing the revisions.

In other matters, councilwoman Melissa Hiner made a motion regarding high grass notices. Hiner requested, and council obliged, that those notices now be issued by the zoning clerk — a position created earlier this year — while the street department will supply the addresses of high grass properties to the clerk. In the past, the police department has issued those notices, and while the police department will still need to issue the citations to those noncompliant after receiving a notice, Hiner said the new notification process will be less of a burden on the police force and allow them more time for more serious matters.

Council received several updates from Wilson regarding old business. Wilson said council will hear from the Western Reserve Conservancy regarding an offer to acquire the rock climbing cliffs at the next council meeting set for July 22. Also at the July 22 meeting, council will hear from the mayor of Carrollton concerning his town’s experience with having a single trash hauler. Wilson also reported that he is working with OMEGA to secure no-match funding to replace the bridge at Willow Grove Park — a project he said would benefit both the Greenway Trail and the park itself.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

— Wilson gave council an update on the building department proposal given to the county commissioners regarding the adoption of a countywide building department to speed up the process of issuing permits. Wilson said the commissioners are looking into and considering the concept.

— Council approved the hiring of lifeguard Chloe Dowd.

— Councilman Jerry Cox was selected for RCAP 101 and 201 training requirements.

— Council discussed the repaving of the pickleball courts and learned that the latest quote to do so came in at $80,000.

— Council heard the 14-foot by 20-foot pavilion to be built by the Lions Club and donated to the village will be located 12 feet west of the pickleball court.

selverd@mojonews.com