[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6371450,"mediaKeyId","2149708-750bd04b155b28465aa3568bb7c54c1e","parentId",2149708,"title","Council defers Donald & Thoreau zoning change and approves routine items; budget Q&A circulated","audioSeconds",94,"startMs",2498000,"endMs",2592000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149708-750bd04b155b28465aa3568bb7c54c1e&start=2498&end=2592","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149708-750bd04b155b28465aa3568bb7c54c1e/thumbnail_2498000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371450/Lakewood/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Council-defers-Donald-Thoreau-zoning-change-and-approves-routine-items-budget-QA-circulated","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371450-e93f50952ede1a9d64f7186d40fbd2e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173648&Signature=F4vgzv9QrOCiGoy5jt7HnYFF4qMeI-sF5PYZ~QGF8soQNPjP5TEWORQnAiv4fD3VoaVZmLd8ujcgw035bUUMScdRqvHvAkx3u~li8~NYbfOVpHq1Gd9WuJW0qWqpNjPQEIMi2oRofjE3kMZIDx0MMtkdSH2w-4lzJMmqTVaO-d2RY2dMdc7LtfhrGyxjSprKXjzk-m2CF4VRxpQ5w4SokjG18uDUyo9o8EmdTJF2p2PkZBCJDSTXSxKE6lLqNIgArJJaRJYddl8c8EnOXXZsPzn-raZVzAr1xduGY7FZd-GEAxU0M3VBYaRRbkiv~0tiSrc2RAby4i0TgI8JlHbUzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lakewood, Ohio","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","Lakewood City Council on Jan. 6 handled a set of routine procedural items, deferred a zoning map amendment and received a compilation of budget questions and answers from council and the administration.

Key actions at a glance
- Minutes: Council approved the minutes of the Dec. 16, 2024 regular meeting (motion carried; recorded as \"Aye\").
- Committee of the Whole report: Council received and filed the Committee of the Whole oral report on at‑large seat interviews (report accepted).
- Ordinance 38‑2024 (zoning map change): Council moved to defer the ordinance amending section 110502 of the zoning code for the Donald and Thoreau development project (R‑2 to planned development). The item was deferred to committee and scheduled for Jan. 21.
- Communication from Councilmember Bullock: Council received and filed a compiled question‑and‑answer document from the 2025 budget hearings; members praised the collaborative process and administration responses.
- Finance report: Council received and filed the finance firm and vendor report submitted pursuant to codified ordinance 11103.
- Liquor permit for Bunce Brothers, 17114 Detroit Ave.: Administration requested deferral; council deferred the item.

Why it matters: the zoning map amendment for the Donald and Thoreau site could change development entitlements; the council chose more time for committee review. The budget Q&A document is intended to provide public access to questions raised during budget hearings and the administration's answers.

Votes and outcomes
Most motions were recorded as \"all those in favor: Aye\" with the chair stating the motion passed. The meeting minutes and several receive‑and‑file motions passed without recorded roll‑call tallies in the meeting transcript. The ordinance 38‑2024 was explicitly deferred and scheduled for further committee consideration on Jan. 21.

Selected quote
\"That document is now largely complete and to ensure that the useful information it contains is easily accessible to the public, I've attached it to this communication,\" Councilmember Bullock said of the budget questions and answers.

Next steps
- Ordinance 38‑2024 will be considered again in committee and on the Jan. 21 agenda.
- The Committee of the Whole will complete at‑large seat interviews next Monday, Jan. 13, and the council expects to deliberate and appoint a successor the week after.

No final zoning vote or liquor‑permit approval occurred on Jan. 6.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lakewood City Council Livestream 1/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council deferred Ordinance 38‑2024 (Donald and Thoreau development zoning change) to Jan. 21, received a Committee of the Whole report on at‑large seat interviews, received and filed a budget Q&A from Councilmember Bullock, and approved routine finance filings; a liquor permit item was deferred.","taxTitle","Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio","taxId",5453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371454,"Residents press council for quick pedestrian and bike‑lane fixes after crashes; administration says budget includes measures",465,7089000,7554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149708-750bd04b155b28465aa3568bb7c54c1e&start=7089&end=7554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149708-750bd04b155b28465aa3568bb7c54c1e/thumbnail_7089000.jpg","/articles/6371454/Lakewood/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Residents-press-council-for-quick-pedestrian-and-bikelane-fixes-after-crashes-administration-says-budget-includes-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371454-2898765000f71822feb194b2f1811c66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173648&Signature=oppCgQosoKPau0GYcWqUZ7hnjJ~CqmSg89QnDAzSAgsg8hLqWZXgFDqwQ98~j4PO-OcouTyy85r83JL9QmxcbJZv6njZXVPlI074InOxVWsO83xvqNJw9KGnF2dAdjWcE4ySF-YOJxAYLql-aY1P18As7kFxhzBjp8Jskc63Q0ITfV5Na~17cVtj~wot7oqxT9EzNFDoaa3AM1CQRJfbdjH9V~1mrVwEV1N7mwEXZMyt3YdhuPFnfwqHqmmOs41hhYzNH1zzwrOqCVhz6bkB477cZnFQsnMZbfeEYf7O0oFBADsXNuWaf1ibVe31GkHwzIqFnNN1lptCeJtca4Ly9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents on Jan. 6 urged Lakewood City Council to make immediate, low‑cost changes to make streets safer for pedestrians and people who bike, citing recent crashes including one in which a local resident was struck in a bike lane.

Why it matters: several speakers described repeated collisions at specific intersections and urged the council and administration to adopt short‑term physical separations (bollards, flex posts, rubber curbing) and signal improvements while longer capital projects proceed. Councilmembers and the administration said public safety is a budget and planning priority and indicated they will pursue near‑term fixes as well as larger projects.

What residents said
A series of public commenters described crashes in the Hilliard Triangle area and at Madison/Hilliard and other spots. One resident, who identified himself as a friend of a crash victim, said the victim “was hit by a car in the bike lane” and questioned why insurers apportioned half the fault; the speaker called the number of collisions “atrocious.”

Another commenter, Ryan Ream, described cars entering the bike lane to queue for a right turn and said separation is simple and affordable: “I beg of you, I please, to have some separation on those bike lanes.”

Organizers with neighborhood groups said they have researched low‑cost treatments and nonprofit crash‑analysis studios and invited the city to partner on rapid reviews of problem intersections.

Administration and council response
Mayor’s office and public‑safety leadership told the council they have been working on active‑transportation and safety measures and said the budget includes funding for both incremental and larger‑scale improvements. In response to a question about near‑term action, an administration official said, “the succinct answer is yes,” and stated the city’s work on safety is ongoing across public safety, planning and public works teams.

Councilmember Bullock said he plans to propose funding this year for quick, removable safety interventions in addition to the larger Bunce Road and other capital projects. Councilmembers said the Bunce Road project already includes traffic‑safety elements, and they emphasized a two‑track approach: immediate low‑cost fixes where possible and larger, multimodal redesigns through capital projects.

What was not decided
Council did not vote on specific hardware or locations at the Jan. 6 meeting. The administration’s affirmation that safety work is budgeted does not specify particular installations, timelines or dollar amounts for the short‑term fixes. Residents and neighborhood groups urged a clear public‑facing plan for near‑term actions.

Selected quotes
“We know these fixes. We know how to do them. They’re low cost,” one resident said during public comment.
“I beg of you, I please, to have some separation on those bike lanes,” Ryan Ream told council.
“The succinct answer is yes,” an administration official said when asked whether the city can act this year on shorter‑term safety measures.

Next steps
Councilmembers and the administration said they will continue to work together on incremental safety measures and on larger capital projects that include traffic‑safety components. Neighborhood groups said they will offer data and participate in crash‑analysis reviews; Councilmember Bullock said he would propose funding for quick interventions during the current budget cycle.","Multiple residents urged immediate, low‑cost safety fixes at Hilliard Triangle and other Lakewood intersections. City officials said the budget and project planning include safety measures and Councilmember Bullock signaled he will propose additional funding for rapid interventions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371459,"Lakewood council interviews three candidates for at‑large seat; decision moved to Jan. 13",2087,1086000,3173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149708-750bd04b155b28465aa3568bb7c54c1e&start=1086&end=3173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149708-750bd04b155b28465aa3568bb7c54c1e/thumbnail_1086000.jpg","/articles/6371459/Lakewood/Cuyahoga-County/Ohio/Lakewood-council-interviews-three-candidates-for-atlarge-seat-decision-moved-to-Jan-13","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371459-1eb03f9c5b0547d002009ae71e7332e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173648&Signature=coy3okVHqoM5GQ4lQRVsZ7G8VjVm0H5u2cfT-VhpqK~I6qO-tSNmauzVUnQzyg1gTRBN2uIkqfEd4Adh4syrNsfCFHlHttToZnNxye5dybX6hBdsj6ITes64ZAOfKN2-PXQ4I~CftCr5NfBF8EpdeTksxL-LRl7A3aIHH00jQ~RPUpMQZeuaIwkbs2gT6GPtszUBoSJ8Wc5ySVRO1BCy6yfOekbGnUfh7LdKXU8ikuHrlbvBoYmsg-woM9LjiOGNn0FMm-vQJzD3SubHYJm4eKiDrVj9UPxQ9wtdhpR88wlYe4oZejJ7gcp4xzQ7PNz7bn7LqOyM8I0GyDmQmTskOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lakewood City Council on Jan. 6 interviewed three candidates for the vacant at‑large council seat — Alexandra Bonacuse, Becky Makovic and Nicole Greenfield — and agreed to continue the process next Monday, Jan. 13, with a final appointment expected the week after.

The vacancy fills an at‑large seat through the remainder of a one‑year term; the successful appointee would need to run to retain the seat in the fall (a primary could be as early as Sept. 2025, with the general election in Nov. 2025). Councilmembers told candidates the role typically requires about 20 hours a week, with regular Monday evening meetings that can start as early as 5:30 p.m.

Why it matters: the at‑large member represents the entire city and could run in a contested fall election. Councilmembers said they wanted to hear comparable answers from each candidate before making a choice.

Candidate backgrounds and priorities
Alexandra Bonacuse, a lifelong Lakewood resident, highlighted pedestrian safety and active‑transportation improvements as immediate priorities, citing the recent crash at the Hilliard Triangle and the coming Lakewood Hospital project. She said she would “do everything in my power to try to find creative ways to fundraise, find funds to make sure that it is safe for all members of the community.”

Becky Makovic, a renter who moved to Lakewood in 2014 and works in government affairs for a regional nonprofit, emphasized public safety and housing affordability. She described volunteer work with regional arts organizations and said she would use her grants and budgeting experience to help direct resources during the city’s upcoming budget season.

Nicole Greenfield, a near‑lifelong resident with a background in contract management and municipal finance, said public safety and both housing for young families and options for the aging population are priorities. She described hands‑on community work through volunteers and employer‑supported programs and said she would bring that operational experience to council.

What happened next
Council received and filed an oral report from the Committee of the Whole summarizing the three interviews and scheduled the remaining interviews for Jan. 13. No vote was taken on an appointment at the Jan. 6 meeting; councilmembers said they will reconvene next week to continue interviews and deliberate before making a final appointment.

Quotes from candidates (selected)
“Listen up, Lakewood. We’re better with Bonacuse,” Alexandra Bonacuse told council in a closing remark.
“I would strongly consider it,” Becky Makovic said when asked whether she would run for the seat if appointed.
“It was really an honor to be here and be selected for an interview,” Nicole Greenfield said in closing.

Next steps and timeline
Councilmembers said interviews will continue Jan. 13. The council indicated it expects to deliberate that evening and make an appointment the following week; the appointee, if selected, would serve the remainder of the one‑year term and may need to run in fall 2025 to retain the seat.

No formal appointment vote or ordinance related to the at‑large seat occurred at the Jan. 6 meeting; the Committee of the Whole’s oral report was received and filed by council.","Council interviewed Alexandra Bonacuse, Becky Makovic and Nicole Greenfield for the one‑year at‑large council vacancy. No appointment was made; interviews continue Jan. 13 and the council expects to choose a finalist the following week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council defers Donald & Thoreau zoning change and approves routine items; budget Q&A circulated

Residents press council for quick pedestrian and bike‑lane fixes after crashes; administration says budget includes measures

Lakewood council interviews three candidates for at‑large seat; decision moved to Jan. 13