ELYRIA — City Council met Monday, October 20, 2025, approving several development ordinances and hearing strong public opinions on zoning, infrastructure, and sanitation services.
Mayor Kevin Brubaker opened the meeting by announcing that Elyria’s 250th U.S. Anniversary will be celebrated as part of next year’s Independence Day events. He also confirmed two state-funded housing developments totaling more than $76 million: the 115-unit McGregor PACE Senior Housing project and a 216-unit affordable-housing complex on West River Road North. The new Public Works Complex will go out for bid October 28, with contract recommendations expected by December 10 and groundbreaking planned for early 2026.
Street-resurfacing work is about halfway complete. Council praised contractors for high-quality results, noting continued progress on Wayne Street and Gulf Road and clarifying that Baldwin Street will be resurfaced with asphalt rather than concrete. Railroad-crossing repairs on Cleveland Street and East Bridge Street are delayed until early 2026, and a second round of street-sweeping is underway.
Safety-Service Director Ponowski reported that the city’s Touch-a-Truck event drew about 1,000 attendees and that a draft ambulance-service study is under review. Law Director Derry recognized Elyria’s victim advocates for receiving state honors through Safe Harbor, while Parks and Recreation Director Rearan announced winter programming, the Festival of Lights on December 6, and an expected decision in November on a pocket-park grant.
Council held three public hearings for 525 Mussey Avenue, approving rezoning from heavy to special industrial and granting conditional-use permits for hazardous-materials storage and a junkyard. Nearby residents Sasha Holder and Richard Bruce opposed the proposal, citing environmental and safety concerns near the Republic Steel Superfund site. The architect representing 525 Mussey Avenue LLC said all materials will be stored indoors with full EPA storm-water compliance, and officials confirmed that public access to the city-owned quarry will remain open.
During public comment, resident Larry Klipstein of Oakwood Drive defended the city’s Sanitation Department and urged council to postpone any privatization studies until the new council takes office in January.
Council also approved measures certifying delinquent utility accounts and demolition costs to the Lorain County Auditor, authorized the disposal of obsolete city property, and advanced funding for wastewater-plant improvements and the ODOT road-diet project on Oberlin–Elyria Road.
The meeting concluded with committee referrals and scheduling for upcoming Public Works Complex bids.