Defiance, OH

City Council

City Council

The City of Defiance Council is holding a first reading on two emergency ordinances: one establishing a 12-month moratorium on data center applications and another amending zoning definitions for data centers and power facilities. The council will also approve July 2026 financial reports, accept the annexation of 6.972 acres from Richland Township, and vacate a paper alley near Danforth Street. No public hearing is scheduled for this meeting, though one is required before the zoning amendment can be adopted.

• First reading of ordinance establishing 12-month moratorium on data center development
• First reading of zoning text amendment defining data centers and power generating facilities
• First reading of ordinance accepting annexation of 6.972 acres in Richland Township
• First reading of ordinance vacating rights-of-way north of 330-338 Danforth Street
• Approval of July 2026 bank reconciliation, expense, revenue, and cash reports

City Council

The Defiance City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss zoning and rezoning, specifically two ordinances: one establishing a zoning text amendment for data centers and another enacting a 12-month moratorium on data center development applications. Both ordinances are at first reading. The meeting is limited to these agenda items.

• First reading: Ordinance establishing a zoning text amendment for data centers, defining their use and classification, declaring an emergency
• First reading: Ordinance enacting a 12-month moratorium on review and approval of data center development applications
• Moratorium includes hardship appeal process to Planning Commission and Mayor
• Special meeting called by Council President McMaster, motion by Mast, seconded by Kaufman, unanimous roll call vote
• Traffic Commission to consider appeal on driveway access on August 20

Planning Commission

The Defiance Planning Commission will meet to consider a request to vacate a 12-foot alley behind properties on Nicholas and Gibson Streets. The applicant, Christian M. Hoffman, seeks to vacate the alley, which has power lines requiring an easement. All surrounding property owners have signed the petition. The meeting will also include approval of the July 20, 2026 minutes.

• Alley vacation request for 0.047 acres at 616 Nicholas Street, Defiance, OH
• Alley located behind 610, 616, 622 Nicholas Street and 611, 613, 623 Gibson
• Applicant: Christian M. Hoffman, Clemens, Korhn, Liming, & Warncke, Ltd.
• Power lines in alley require easement for maintenance
• All surrounding property owners have signed the petition

Civil Service Commission

The Defiance Civil Service Commission is meeting to approve minutes from April 20, 2026, and discuss new business items, including an equipment operator position and a building maintenance crew leader job description. No votes or decisions are noted on the agenda beyond these items.

• Approval of minutes from April 20, 2026
• Discussion of Equipment Operator position
• Review of Building Maintenance Crew Leader job description

The Defiance Civil Service Commission declared the current Equipment Operator eligibility list expired and approved a new hiring process, including an oral interview with a 60% passing score and advertising on multiple platforms. They also adopted a new Building Maintenance Crew Leader job description requested by the AFSCME union. Both motions passed unanimously.

• Declared Equipment Operator eligibility list expired due to low candidate count (unanimous)
• Approved new Equipment Operator hiring process with oral interview, 60% passing score, and advertising on Indeed, Ohio Municipal League, Ohio Means Jobs, Crescent News, and city website/Facebook (unanimous)
• Adopted Building Maintenance Crew Leader job description as submitted (unanimous)

City Council

This is a regular City Council meeting with no legislation items, no public hearing, and no study session. The main agenda item is recognition of B-shift firefighters and Fire Chief Wittkop, along with citizen concerns and routine committee reports. All standing committees report no meetings.

• Special guest recognition of Fire Chief Wittkop, B-shift firefighters, and Mr. Stover
• Citizen concerns period (5 minutes per speaker)
• Traffic Commission meeting scheduled for August 20 to consider a driveway access appeal
• Board of Control meetings posted at 631 Perry Street

City Council

The City Council is holding a regular meeting. The agenda contains no legislation items, public hearings, or study sessions.

City Council

The Defiance City Council will hold a regular meeting to approve monthly financial reports for June 2026, including bank reconciliation, expenses, revenue, and cash statements. No public hearings or special guests are scheduled, and no ordinances will receive a first reading.

• First reading of ordinance for Riverside Cemetery improvements (no dollar amount specified)
• Approval of June 2026 financial reports: bank reconciliation, expenses, revenue, and cash statement

City Council

The Defiance City Council will hold a special meeting to consider two ordinances related to data centers: one establishing zoning definitions and classifications for data centers, and another enacting a 12-month moratorium on new data center development applications within city limits. The meeting was called by Council President McMaster and seconded by Councilmember Corbitt.

• First reading of ordinance defining data centers, data center campuses, and data warehousing facilities under zoning code
• First reading of 12-month moratorium on data center development applications and site plans
• Emergency declaration for immediate effectiveness of zoning amendment if passed

City Council

The agenda indicates there is no meeting scheduled for July 21, 2026. The next scheduled sessions are a special meeting and a regular meeting both occurring on July 28, 2026.

Civil Service Commission

The July 20, 2026, meeting of the Civil Service Commission has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2026.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will consider several variance requests for building setbacks, parking, and materials. The body will also review two alley vacation requests and a construction extension for an apartment project.

• Site plan and variance requests for Fort Defiance Humane Society at 25232 Elliott Road
• Multiple variance requests for a 150,000 SF industrial facility at 25239 Elliott Road
• Rear yard setback variance for an addition at 391 Maumee River Crossing
• Alley vacation requests for 334 Danforth Street and 616 Nicholas Street
• PUD construction extension request for Defiance Place Apartments at 1850 North Clinton Street

City Council

The Defiance City Council will meet on July 14, 2026, at City Hall for its regular session. The council is scheduled for a third reading of an ordinance to vacate right-of-way in lots between the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers. Members will also hear five minutes of citizen concerns and assign liaison duties. All standing committees are listed as having no meetings this month.

• Third reading of an ordinance vacating right-of-way in lots between the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers
• Five-minute public comment period for residents to state name and address for the record
• Liaison assignments for council members to various city committees
• Committee schedules listed with no meeting status for July 2026

City Council

The City Council will hear a discussion regarding data centers and a potential moratorium or town hall. Additionally, the council is considering an ordinance for an online permitting and payment program.

• Discussion on data centers and proposal for a town hall or moratorium
• Ordinance to vacate right-of-way in lots between the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers
• Ordinance authorizing a contract with iWorQ Systems for an online permitting and payment program
• iWorQ Systems contract: $11,480.00 pro-rated invoice and $3,500.00 setup fee

City Council

The June 30 regular meeting of Defiance City Council includes no public hearings, study sessions, or committee meetings. The agenda lists only citizen concerns and liaison assignments, with all committees reporting 'no meeting.' This is a procedural session with no decisions or discussions planned.

• No public hearings or special guests scheduled
• All committee meetings cancelled for June 30

City Council

The Defiance City Council will hold a regular meeting with recognition of the fire chief and B-shift firefighters, approval of May 2026 financial reports, and first readings of four ordinances. These include vacating a right-of-way, designating the Community Improvement Corporation as economic development agent, awarding a pavement marking contract, and authorizing a Nature Works grant application. No public hearings or study sessions are scheduled.

• Recognition of Fire Chief Wittkop, Mr. Stover, and B-shift firefighters
• Approval of May 2026 financial reports (bank reconciliation, expense, revenue, cash)
• First reading of ordinance vacating right-of-way between the Maumee and Auglaize rivers
• First reading of ordinance designating Community Improvement Corporation of Defiance County as economic development agent
• First reading of ordinance awarding a contract for pavement marking throughout the city (emergency)

City Council

The Defiance City Council is holding a regular meeting with no public hearings, special guests, or committee meetings scheduled. All committee sessions are listed as 'NO MEETING,' and the agenda consists solely of procedural items like citizen concerns and liaison assignments.

• All committee meetings (Building & Lands, Economic Development, Finance & Budget, etc.) are cancelled for June 16
• Board of Control meeting on June 15, 2026, is cancelled
• Next regular City Council meeting is June 23, 2026

Civil Service Commission

The June 2026 Civil Service Commission meeting has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 20, 2026.

• Meeting cancelled; no items to discuss

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will consider a site plan review for a new 150,000 SF industrial facility on a parcel split from 8849 Carpenter Road. Other items include a map amendment/PUD with variances for six housing units at 224 Van Buren, a variance request for two zero-lot-line homes at 395 & 399 Maumee River Crossing, a conditional use permit for a professional service at 603 N. Clinton Street, a supplemental street vacation at 636 Jackson Street, and a site plan review for a new Humane Society location at 0 Elliott Road. The commission will also discuss Planning & Zoning Code changes to recommend to City Council.

• Site plan review for a 150,000 SF industrial facility on 8.735 acres split from 8849 Carpenter Road (applicant: Fort Winchester Investment 2, LLC)
• Map amendment/PUD with variances for 2 three-family buildings (6 units) at 224 Van Buren, including a front yard setback reduction from 25' to 14'
• Variance requests for two zero-lot-line single-family units at 395 & 399 Maumee River Crossing, reducing lot width, lot area, and setbacks
• Conditional use permit for a professional service in R-3 district at 603 N. Clinton Street (College Overlay District)
• Site plan review for a new Defiance County Humane Society location on 6.64 acres at 0 Elliott Road (currently in annexation)

The Planning Commission approved a PUD and variances for new housing at 224 Van Buren and multiple variances for zero-lot-line units at Maumee River Crossing. A conditional use permit for professional services at 603 N. Clinton Street was granted, and a site plan for a 150,000 SF industrial facility was approved pending further information. The commission also recommended zoning code changes regarding data centers to City Council.

• Approved variance to reduce front yard setback from 25' to 14' at 224 Van Buren
• Approved Map Amendment/PUD for 6 housing units at 224 Van Buren and recommended to City Council
• Approved five variances for lot width, area, and setbacks for units at 395 & 399 Maumee River Crossing
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for professional services at 603 N. Clinton Street
• Approved supplemental street vacation at 636 Jackson Street with amended survey and recommended to Council
• Tabled ('Let Lie') site plan for Fort Defiance Humane Society until August meeting
• Approved site plan for 150,000 SF industrial facility at 8849 Carpenter Road pending staff information
• Recommended Zoning Code changes for data centers and power generating facilities to City Council

City Council

City Council will hold third-reading votes on creating a $3.6 million Parks and Riverfront Capital Improvement Fund, amending the 2026 appropriations, and authorizing monthly fund transfers. A second reading will consider an anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan. A first reading will introduce a resolution to levy a renewal with increase tax for the Defiance Public Library.

• Third reading: Ordinance creating Parks and Riverfront Capital Improvement Fund (Fund #407) with up to $3.6M accumulated over 10 years from General Fund transfers.
• Third reading: Ordinance amending 2026 appropriations (Ordinance 8702).
• Third reading: Ordinance authorizing monthly fund transfers for 2026.
• Second reading: Ordinance authorizing mayor to execute Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan (declared emergency).
• First reading: Resolution of necessity to levy a renewal with increase tax for Defiance Public Library (exceeds ten-mill limitation).

City Council

Council will hold second readings on three ordinances: creating a Parks and Riverfront Capital Improvement Fund (up to $3.6 million over 10 years), amending 2026 appropriations, and authorizing monthly fund transfers. A first reading will introduce an ordinance to adopt an Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan. All committee meetings are cancelled for June.

• Second reading: Ordinance creating Parks and Riverfront Capital Improvement Fund #407, with up to $3,600,000 accumulated over 10 years from the General Fund
• Second reading: Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 8702 (12/9/2025) for 2026 current expense appropriations
• Second reading: Ordinance authorizing monthly fund transfers for the city for 2026
• First reading: Ordinance authorizing Mayor to execute an Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan (emergency declared)
• Projected freed-up debt capacity through 2031, with cumulative capacity reaching $618,962 per year by 2031

City Council

The Defiance City Council will hold first readings on ordinances to create dedicated capital improvement funds for parks/riverfront (up to $3.6M) and police/fire (up to $6M), funded by monthly transfers from the General Fund over up to 10 years. The council also will consider resolutions to apply for state grants for the North Clinton Street railroad bridge sidewalk replacement, Power Dam and Carpenter Road improvements, and two Community Development Block Grant programs. April 2026 financial reports are also up for approval.

• First reading: ordinance creating Parks and Riverfront Capital Improvement Fund #407, with a maximum accumulation of $3,600,000 over up to 10 years starting June 1, 2026
• First reading: ordinance creating Police and Fire Capital Improvement Fund #406, with a maximum accumulation of $6,000,000 over up to 10 years starting June 1, 2026
• First reading: ordinance directing submission of a grant application for the North Clinton Street railroad bridge sidewalk replacement
• First reading: ordinance directing submission of a grant application for Power Dam and Carpenter Road improvements
• First reading: resolutions to apply for CDBG Allocation Grant and CDBG Residential Public Infrastructure Grant for 2026 through the Ohio Department of Development

City Council

The City Council is holding its regular meeting on May 19, 2026, but all committee meetings are canceled and no public hearings or special guests are scheduled. The only action noted is a street resurfacing/pavement repair item for the May 26 Streets & Sidewalks committee meeting.

• All committee meetings (Finance, Police, Utilities, etc.) are listed as 'NO MEETING'
• Streets & Sidewalks committee (Mast) will meet May 26 for street resurfacing/pavement repair (future item)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will review a sign variance request submitted by Grube Capital Investments, LLC for properties at 400 Clinton Street and 607 West Third Street. The request seeks to raise the mounting height, overall height, and dimensions of a projecting sign in the Central Business District beyond current code limits. The commission will also approve the minutes from the April 20, 2026 meeting and conduct routine roll call.

• Approval of April 20, 2026 Planning Commission meeting minutes
• Sign variance request for 400 Clinton St & 607 West Third St to increase mounting height to 21‑35 ft, sign height to 14 ft, and dimensions to 40" × 168"

The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the April 20, 2026 meeting. It then approved three separate sign variance requests for the Central Business District at 400 Clinton Street and 607 West Third Street, with all voting members recording an aye vote on each motion. The meeting was adjourned with an all‑aye vote.

• Approved April 20, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous aye)
• Approved mounting‑height sign variance (all members voting aye)
• Approved maximum‑height sign variance (all members voting aye)
• Approved dimensions sign variance (all members voting aye)
• Adjourned meeting at 5:03 p.m. (all members voting aye)

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing to allow citizens to review and comment on proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities before applications are submitted to the Ohio Department of Development. The council will also conduct first readings of ordinances to rename 'Collen Drive' to 'Colleen Drive', create Police and Fire Capital Improvement Fund #406 and Parks and Riverfront Capital Improvement Fund #407, amend the 2026 appropriations ordinance, and authorize monthly fund transfers.

• Public hearing on proposed CDBG activities for community development funding
• First reading: ordinance renaming Collen Drive to Colleen Drive
• First reading: ordinance creating Police and Fire Capital Improvement Fund #406
• First reading: ordinance creating Parks and Riverfront Capital Improvement Fund #407
• First reading: ordinance amending 2026 appropriations (Ordinance 8702) and authorizing monthly fund transfers

Civil Service Commission

The May 2026 regular meeting of the Defiance Civil Service Commission has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 5:15pm. No decisions or discussions took place.

• Meeting cancelled; no items considered

City Council

The City Council is holding a regular meeting on May 5, 2026, with no public hearings, special guests, or study sessions listed. Most committee meetings are cancelled for the month, except a Streets & Sidewalks committee scheduled for May 26. The agenda is purely procedural, including citizen concerns and liaison assignments.

• No public hearings, special guests, or committee meetings except Streets & Sidewalks on May 26 for street resurfacing/pavement repair

City Council

The Defiance City Council will hold first readings on two items: an ordinance authorizing the City Law Director and Chief of Police to execute an information‑sharing agreement for the Law Enforcement Automated Data System, which includes an emergency declaration; and a resolution consenting to annexation of proposed territory, providing services and setting zoning restrictions under R.C. §709.023(C). The council will also approve the March 2026 financial reports, including the bank reconciliation, expense, revenue, and cash statements. No public hearing is scheduled.

• First reading of an ordinance authorizing the City Law Director and Chief of Police to execute an information‑sharing agreement for the Law Enforcement Automated Data System, with an emergency declaration.
• First reading of a resolution consenting to annexation of proposed territory, establishing services and zoning restrictions per R.C. §709.023(C).
• Approval of the March 2026 Bank Reconciliation report.
• Approval of the March 2026 Expense Report.
• Approval of the March 2026 Revenue and Cash Statements.

City Council

The April 21, 2026 regular meeting of Defiance City Council has no public hearings, no special guests, and all committee meetings are cancelled. The agenda consists only of citizen concerns and liaison assignments, with the next regular meeting scheduled for April 28.

• All committee meetings (Committee of Whole, Building & Lands, Economic Development, etc.) are listed as 'NO MEETING'
• No public hearings or special guests scheduled
• Citizen concerns allowed (5 minutes, name and address for record)
• Next regular meeting set for April 28, 2026

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will vote on a request to vacate Thurston Street adjacent to Jackson Street. Applicant James K. Weaver and Jaxson Enterprises, Ltd. petition to vacate the 60-foot-wide right-of-way. All adjacent property owners have signed. The commission will also appoint a new member, Curtis Switzer, and hear a clerk's report on potential code changes.

• Vote on street vacation for Thurston Street (60-ft right-of-way) at Jackson Street
• Appointment of Curtis Switzer as new commission member
• Approval of March 16, 2026 meeting minutes
• Clerk's report on future code changes
• Public input period

The Planning Commission approved a request to vacate Thurston Street at the intersection of Jackson Street. The decision was made to allow a property owner to eliminate traffic between buildings and install a fence. The commission also discussed options for regulating data centers in the city.

• Approved street vacation request (unanimous)
• Appointed Curtis Switzer to Planning Commission
• Discussed data center zoning options (no decision made)

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission will review and approve meeting minutes from February 17, 2026, and consider new business regarding an Equipment Operator position and renewal of a promotional list. These are routine personnel actions for city hiring and promotions.

• Approval of minutes from February 17, 2026
• New business: Equipment Operator hiring discussion
• New business: Promotional list renewal consideration

The Civil Service Commission approved a new entry-level test for Equipment Operator to establish a hiring list ahead of an upcoming retirement. The test will use an oral interview process with a 60% passing score, and veterans may receive preference credit. The commission also extended the promotional lists for Fire Captain and Fire Lieutenant for a second year, through May 18, 2027. Both motions passed unanimously.

• Approved minutes from February 17, 2026 meeting (3-0)
• Approved new entry-level Equipment Operator test using oral interview, 60% passing, with veterans preference (3-0)
• Extended Fire Captain and Fire Lieutenant promotional lists to May 18, 2027 (3-0)