Medina Council Approves Zoning Changes for West Liberty Development

New conditionally permitted uses will allow for expanded retail, restaurant, and event space in the city's C1 commercial zone.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:22am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still life featuring a few simple, premium objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of zoning, urban planning, and commercial development.A conceptual still life representing the careful balance of zoning regulations and business growth in Medina's commercial districts.Medina Today

The Medina City Council unanimously approved changes to the city's zoning code that will allow for new conditionally permitted uses on properties zoned C1 commercial. This includes allowing a conference center, banquet facility, or meeting hall up to 5,000 square feet, a restaurant with a drive-through, and a retail business up to 20,000 square feet. The changes stem from a proposal to rezone a specific property on West Liberty Street, but will apply to all C1 commercial zones in the city.

Why it matters

The zoning changes will enable a local business owner, Kayleigh Keller, to relocate and expand her Keller Market and Café operation to a new location on West Liberty Street. While council members were supportive of the project, they were initially hesitant to rezone the property to a more permissive C3 classification, opting instead for the conditional use approach to maintain more control over future development in the area.

The details

The new conditionally permitted uses were created by the city's Community Development Department at the direction of the city council. They will require review by the planning commission and a public hearing before being approved for any specific property. The changes come after Keller informed the city of her plans to relocate and expand her market and café business to a parcel on West Liberty Street, which is currently zoned C1 commercial.

  • The public hearing on the proposed zoning changes was held in April 2026, with no one speaking in favor or against the amendments.
  • The Medina City Council unanimously approved the zoning code changes in April 2026.

The players

Medina City Council

The governing body of the city of Medina, Ohio that unanimously approved the zoning code changes.

Andrew Dutton

The Community Development Director for the city of Medina who created the proposed zoning amendments at the direction of the city council.

Kayleigh Keller

A local business owner who informed the city of her plans to relocate and expand her Keller Market and Café operation to a new location on West Liberty Street.

John Coyne

The Medina City Council President who expressed concerns about rezoning the West Liberty Street property to a more permissive classification.

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What they’re saying

“This stemmed from an original proposal to rezone property on West Liberty Street from C1 local commercial to C3 general commercial.”

— Andrew Dutton, Community Development Director

“Council directed staff to create these proposed zoning amendments which will be applicable to the property on West Liberty and all property zoned C1 commercial. These conditionally permitted uses will require a review by planning commission and a public hearing before they can be established.”

— Andrew Dutton, Community Development Director

“I didn't want to open the door to a more intense type of development in that space.”

— John Coyne, Medina City Council President

What’s next

The new conditionally permitted uses will now require review by the Medina Planning Commission and a public hearing before they can be approved for any specific property in the city's C1 commercial zone.

The takeaway

The Medina City Council's decision to approve targeted zoning changes, rather than a broader rezoning, demonstrates their commitment to carefully managing development in the city's commercial districts. By allowing some expanded uses through a conditional review process, the council has found a balanced approach that supports local business growth while maintaining control over the character and intensity of future projects.