Hot topics: Rental regulations, marijuana dispensaries discussed at Lisbon council meeting

[[{“value”:”Feb 27, 2025

Residents packed Lisbon Village Hall of Tuesday’s council meeting with rental regulations and marijuana dispensaries both on the agenda. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

LISBON — Residents packed Tuesday’s Lisbon Council meeting to discuss two hot-button agenda items — proposed rental regulations and the possibility of a cannabis dispensary in the village’s future.

The dispensary discussion was moot, according to Mayor Pete Wilson. Wilson explained the size of the village at just 1.4 square miles and state regulations that prohibit dispensaries within 1,000 feet of schools or churches leaves “no place for a dispensary in the village.”

Ohio voters passed a referendum in November of 2023 that legalized the use, cultivation and purchase of cannabis by adults 21 and older. So far, East Liverpool is the only municipality in the county in which a dispensary has opened.

Last year, council unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on adult-use, or recreational, cannabis businesses. That moratorium, which was set to expire today, was unanimously extended on Tuesday. A draft ordinance will be presented at the next meeting that would prohibit dispensaries within the village.

Council president Melissa Hiner said that with all taxes from marijuana sales going to the state there is really no incentive to allow cannabis businesses to set up shop in Lisbon.

Several residents spoke out against the idea dispensaries in the village, citing a correlation between the increase in crime and dispensaries and increased potential of children accidentally consuming edibles that contain a 17% higher THC content than marijuana cigarettes.

Other residents used the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting to support or oppose proposed legislation that would require all Lisbon rental properties be registered and undergo a yearly inspection. The ordinance would also require an annual fee of $60 per rental unit. The revenue generated from the registration fee would be used to create a position of a village housing inspector.

Village landlords again spoke out against the proposed regulations, some calling for provisions in the draft ordinance that would benefit rental-property owners — such as placing village water service in the name of the tenants and not the landlords — with one landlord not in agreement with her peers.

Stevie Halverstadt, who said she has owned rental property for “over 30 years” in Lisbon, said the proposed ordinance is meant for consumer protection.

“The point of these regulations is to protect citizens,” she said. “And it’s better to be safe.”

Resident and realtor Joe Vitko said that if rental properties are allowed to “fall apart without inspections” home owners in the village will suffer for it. He said if a house catches on fire, homes near it could also. He also said that dilapidated houses have an immediate impact on property values.

“When you sell your house, people aren’t just looking at your house, they are looking at the houses across the street and next door,” he said.

Nearly everybody who spoke on Tuesday and has spoken during previous meetings regarding rental regulations have come to consensus that something is needed in the village. However, some say what is needed is simply enforcement of existing laws, referring to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321 and Chapter 719 of Lisbon’s code.

To further discuss the proposed ordinances and examine current laws already on the books, the Public Safety Committee will meet March 8 at 9 a.m.

Council also set a zoning committee meeting for March 24 at 5:30 p.m. and a parks committee meeting for March 6 at 5:30 p.m.

The zoning meeting is to discuss the draft zoning code. The village hired professionals to re-write the code last year. Zoning Officer Zackary Barkley asked for the meeting to discuss the revised code and provide an opportunity for council to point out any errors or potential problems with the draft.

The park meeting is to review lifeguard applications and study a request from Lepper Library for a permanent story stroll at the Cedar St. Park. Council approved the library’s request for a temporary story stroll.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

— Council approved John Wolfe as the newest member of the cemetery board. Wolfe said he was looking forward to “serving the village and the community” in the role.

— Council approved a request from the street department to bid on a roller at an online auction.

— Council approved the purchase of five cell phones and lines (four for the police department and one for the zoning department) as well as a laptop computer for the zoning department.

— Police Chief Mike Abraham pushed back at complaints of speeding on Chestnut Street. Abraham said that the street is patrolled daily and a squad car is regularly monitoring traffic in that area. He advised any resident who has a concern regarding speeding or any other police-related issue to contact his department directly.

— Councilman Jerry Cox brought up the possibility of the village purchasing property recently listed at $220,000 as a new home for the Lisbon Fire Department.

— Bill Hoover of the Board of Public Affairs thanked the county fair board for “being more then cooperative and working so well with the BPA” regarding an easement needed on fair property to run utilities to the new booster station.

selverd@mojonews.com

“}]] LISBON — Residents packed Tuesday’s Lisbon Council meeting to discuss two hot-button agenda items — proposed rental regulations and the possibility of a cannabis dispensary in the village’s future. The dispensary discussion was moot, according to Mayor Pete Wilson. Wilson explained the size of the village at just 1.4 square miles and state regulations that  Read More  

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