Ironton City Council members heard multiple public complaints about a proposed recovery residence at 522 South Fifth Street and moved to continue legal review and consider a moratorium on new group residential homes.

Residents told the council the property at 522 South Fifth was purchased by an out‑of‑area entity and that the planned operator — an Oxford House recovery model — would bring more residents than a single‑family zoning district allows. "There is a recovery model of home called the Oxford House that has bought a house at 522 South Fifth Street and are proceeding to move into it," said Susan Heald, a resident at 509 South Fifth Street.

The council earlier in the meeting adopted amended ordinance 24‑47, described at the meeting as changes affecting group residential or independent living facilities. At the end of the session council read ordinance 24‑58, "imposing a moratorium upon new group residential homes or facilities," by title for first reading and voted to pursue further legal review and an executive session on litigation before taking additional action.

Why it matters: Neighbors said the proposed use may conflict with R‑1 single‑family zoning and expressed immediate safety and neighborhood‑character concerns. Council members and staff said the city solicitor is preparing advice and that some remedies are constrained by property‑ and state law.

What council heard and did

Residents described neighborhood impacts and uncertainty about ownership and occupancy. Denise Collins, who lives across from the property, said, "We always understood that it had to be a single residence. It was the R1." Collins told the council she heard a representative say eight people would be moving into the house.

Mayor Sam Craig told residents the mayor's office and the solicitor have been contacted and are preparing guidance. "We're not ignoring you. We hear it. We understand it," Craig said in response to Collins.

At the meeting the council recorded adoption of amended ordinance 24‑47; later, Council introduced ordinance 24‑58 and took a roll‑call vote approving a motion to request an executive session to discuss litigation with the mayor and solicitor. The transcript reflects the roll call in which members answered "Aye" for the motion to convene that session.

Limits and next steps

City officials repeatedly told residents the solicitor must review statutory and zoning limits before the council can direct enforcement or other remedies. The council declined to comment on pending legal matters while under solicitor review and said any enforcement action would be constrained by zoning law and property ownership.

Council members said the solicitor would provide formal advice at a future meeting and that the moratorium ordinance would proceed through the council's readings if the council decides to pursue it further.

Ending

The council said it would continue legal review and hold further deliberations after receiving the solicitor's advice; residents were advised that enforcement or other city action would depend on the solicitor's guidance and on whether the property and occupants comply with existing zoning and state law.