TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo City Council considered multiple items on Wednesday, including funding for a hotel on the University of Toledo's campus, a moratorium on tobacco shops in city limits and a cap on the number of dogs allowed in people's homes.
Council approved $2 million in federal funding for a Delta Hotel that would replace the vacant Radisson on UT's medical campus. Council member Adam Martinez was the sole vote against, citing previously raised concerns about Marriott defaulting.
According to Marriott, the property at 3100 Glendale Ave. would be ready to accept bookings on Sept. 29.
Council also opted for further discussion on a nearly four-month ban on new tobacco shops, sending the ordinance to committee for a hearing.
Martinez previously told WTOL 11 that the applications the city and Plan Commission regularly receive for smoke, tobacco and vape shops are almost always voted down.
The moratorium, which would last until Jan. 31, 2025, would allow the commission time to review the special use permit needed for smoke shops.
However, multiple other council members questioned the necessity of the moratorium, saying that the existing process is sufficient for approving or disapproving special use permits for tobacco shops.
Council unanimously approved a study on possible regulations for the number of dogs in people's homes.
Martinez said a special use permit is being considered for pet owners who want more than five dogs on their property.
Post-study, council would hold a public hearing on any recommendations to allow pet owners and residents to give input.
Other items council voted on Wednesday include:
- approving $130,000 in funding for trail improvements at Ottawa Park
- approving $35,000 to establish and operate kayak rental lockers at Cullen Park
- approving $150,000 to install a restroom and concession stand at the Highland Park baseball field
- approving $12,000 to settle a lawsuit filed against the city by Sammie Coleman, an employee in the Division of Streets, Bridges and Harbors who alleged racial discrimination, including being denied promotions because he is Black
- Accepting a $28,497,650 grant to improve Front and Main streets as part of the Front/Main Reconnecting Communities project
- entering a grant agreement with the state and federal departments of transportation for the Connecting Toledo Neighborhoods to Opportunity project and authorizing a total expenditure of $5.7 million from various city funds
- granting a special use permit for a gas station at 1950 S. Reynolds Road in south Toledo