Yellow Springs Government Transparency and Accountability, Yellow Springs, OH (2026)

04/07/2026

We just received this message from someone who attended last night’s meeting and they asked to remain anonymous so we are sharing it as submitted:

To answer your question about what happened last night Dave Chappelle got up and spoke to a room full of local Yellow Springs residents. There were people there who have lived here for decades some who owned businesses years ago and some current business owners too. Dave brought up that he was one of the bidders on the hardware store building against the YSDC. He said he lost the bid because he didn’t have plans to keep the current tenants in the building. He talked about wanting to preserve the building itself and said the reason people would be displaced is because he doesn’t want anyone living in squalor while trying to renovate a building that apparently needs millions of dollars in work. His main concern seemed to be that the YSDC is trying to rent the building out in short 3 month increments to people and that was really the main topic of the night. There were a lot of good conversations between citizens and Dave with people on all sides of the issue speaking up but that definitely seemed like the biggest focus. He also talked about how the village and a lot of business owners often come to him asking him to buy land or businesses or help fund certain projects. He mentioned somebody had even asked him about fixing the gravel parking lot on Dayton Street. Anyway that’s the short version of what I got from it. If anyone else was there and wants to add anything or correct something I may have missed please do and please make sure this stays anonymous.

04/07/2026

Citizen Concern Spotlight: Parking, Accessibility & the School/Square Discussion

One of the biggest citizen concern themes at the April 6 Village Council meeting was parking — but not just in the usual “we need more spaces” sense.

Residents raised concerns about:
• handicap parking
• crosswalks
• signage
• pedestrian accessibility
• and whether current parking discussions are being framed broadly enough to include the needs of less mobile residents, visitors, and families

That matters, because during council’s broader parking discussion, it became clear that specific parking concepts are already being floated, even though no formal parking decisions were made at this meeting.

A notable line from council discussion:

Council referenced concerns about:

“turning that square into a parking lot all around the school”

There was also mention of Corry Street parking as part of the broader discussion.

To be clear:
• No parking expansion proposal was approved on April 6
• Council explicitly said this meeting was not for making final decisions on parking
• But it is fair to say that specific ideas are already being discussed behind the scenes and in preliminary conversation

Why this deserves attention:

If changes are being considered involving:
• the school area
• the village square
• Corry Street
• or any other public-facing space,

then residents deserve:
• a clear explanation of what is being considered
• a timeline for when proposals will be publicly presented
• and a chance to weigh in before anything begins to feel predetermined

The bigger issue:

Parking should not just be reduced to “how many spaces can we add.”

Residents and council alike raised that this conversation should also include:
• accessibility
• walkability
• pedestrian safety
• school stakeholder input
• and how parking decisions align (or conflict) with the village’s broader long-term planning goals

Bottom line:

No parking changes were approved at the April 6 meeting.
But if the public conversation is already specific enough to include references like “turning that square into a parking lot all around the school,” then this is clearly a topic residents should be watching now, not later.

As always, we’re simply highlighting what was raised in the public meeting and what appears in the public record.

04/07/2026

Another meeting took place last night following the Village Council meeting at Dave Chappelle’s Firehouse. Since not everyone is able to attend these gatherings, we want to help make sure the community stays informed. If you were there, we’d appreciate a recap of what was discussed. If you’d rather not comment publicly, feel free to message us and we’d be glad to share your summary anonymously. As always, respectful discussion is welcome in the comments.

04/07/2026

April 6 Village Council Recap: Major development extensions approved, parking and economic development questions continue, and several citizen concerns deserve closer attention

At the April 6 Village Council meeting, council addressed a wide range of issues — including major Antioch-related redevelopment timelines, future parking discussions, economic development structure, renewable energy credits, and several citizen concerns that we believe deserve more attention in the coming days.

Major official takeaways:
• Windsor Group received two separate one-year extensions for final development plans tied to major Antioch-related properties:
• 275 E. North College Street
• 150 E. South College Street (Kettering)
The developer stated they do not expect to use the full year, but requested the extensions now rather than waiting until the last minute. Council was told some parts of the planning process were delayed until the village’s CRA / tax abatement approvals were finalized late last year. Notably, Councilmember Pierce voted NO on both extensions.
• During discussion, council acknowledged what many residents are already noticing: while extensions may be considered routine in development, these projects were previously presented with a strong sense of urgency. One council member explicitly raised concerns about the need for better messaging and transparency so the public does not feel like timelines keep shifting.
• Council made it clear that no final decisions were made at this meeting regarding:
• parking expansion
• residential sidewalks
• the village’s economic development role
Instead, council said this meeting was about identifying what information they want before future discussions and decisions in the coming weeks or months.
• That said, the parking discussion did make clear that specific concepts are already being floated, including references to:
• possible school / square-area parking changes
• concerns about “turning that square into a parking lot all around the school”
• and mention of Corey Street parking as part of the broader conversation
No parking proposal was approved, but it is clear these conversations are already more specific than many residents may realize.
• During the economic development discussion, one council member described it as a “red flag” that there was “no plan on file with YSDC” and suggested the village may have been operating more on a “handshake agreement” than a clearly documented structure when it comes to roles and responsibilities between YSDC, the Chamber, and other economic development entities. This was one of the more notable transparency-related moments of the meeting.
• Council also approved another round of renewable energy credit (REC) transactions intended to preserve the village’s “100% renewable” / green municipality designation while generating funds for utility capital improvements. What stood out was that even council openly described the process as complicated, messy, and something that likely deserves a clearer public explanation moving forward.

⸻

Citizen concerns raised during the meeting included:

One of the most valuable parts of these meetings is hearing directly from residents and business owners. On April 6, citizens raised concerns about:
• Parking, handicap parking, crosswalks, signage, and pedestrian accessibility
• Glass Farm / wetland concerns, including calls for a wetland delineation study before development
• East Enon Road / high school area safety, including a request for village support on a county study
• Short Street / downtown activation ideas, including a suggestion to test a closure during the World Cup as a way to evaluate business impact
• Residential sidewalks, including concerns that shifting sidewalk responsibility to homeowners would be a regressive burden and that better financial/repair data should be gathered first
• Food truck rallies / pop-up business concerns, with a local business owner asking why food truck events appear to keep getting shut down while brick-and-mortar interests seem to take precedence

Council indicated that some of these topics — especially economic development, pop-ups, and food trucks — are expected to return in future discussions later this year.

⸻

What we’ll be doing next:

Because there was a lot covered in this meeting, and because citizen concerns are one of the most important parts of the public record, we’ll be making separate follow-up posts on some of the biggest topics, including:
• Parking / accessibility / school-area parking discussion
• Sidewalks and whether costs could shift to homeowners
• Food trucks / pop-ups / local business fairness concerns
• Glass Farm / wetland concerns
• and likely a separate post on the YSDC / economic development structure discussion

We think these topics deserve more than just one paragraph in a recap.

⸻

Bottom line:

The April 6 meeting did not produce final decisions on some of the village’s biggest current issues — but it did confirm that several important conversations are already well underway behind the scenes and in committee-level planning.

If residents care about:
• redevelopment timelines,
• parking changes,
• sidewalks,
• food truck / pop-up policy,
• or the role of YSDC and economic development entities,

now is the time to pay attention — before these issues move from “discussion” into formal decisions.

As always, we understand not everyone can attend these meetings. Like many in the community, we can only rely on what is said in public meetings and what is reflected in the public record. If more context exists, it should be communicated clearly and consistently to the public.

04/06/2026

Tonight we will begin with an Executive Session at 5pm. Just to remind you, Executive Sessions are not open to the public. Staff is limited to only those necessary to attend, which is typically only the VM/Asst VM and Solicitor, unless it directly involves a topic/issue that other staff/organizations are directly involved in. Council and other permitted attendees cannot disclose specific discussions or documents shared during the session. This evening’s session is in regard to a general public employees topic and to discuss the purchase of a property for public use.

The regular council meeting will begin at 6pm. Tonight is the first meeting that Citizen Concerns will occur before the legislation portions of the meeting. This will make sure citizens can speak before the council votes on any issues, even if the issue does not require an official public hearing. I myself love this! It is important people feel heard before decisions are made and this easy adjustment helps to achieve that. https://clerkshq.com/YellowSprings-OH

Resolution 2026-16 and 2026-17 - These are both about Windsor's plans for the properties they purchased from Antioch almost 2 years ago, in 2024. Last July the previous council gave Windsor the thumbs up and the Village code gives them one year to bring final plans back to the table. That deadline was Aug 6 of this year. Tonight they will ask for another calendar year to submit their final development plans, which would push the deadline for those to Aug 2027. Windsor reps will be present and speaking on why they want/need this.
clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260406_03a.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH
clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260406_03b.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

Resolution 2026-18 - This is about the sale of the Village's Renewable Energy Credits (REC’s). In 2023, YS Council passed an ordinance that permits the sale of our higher-value REC’s and then buy lower-cost certified replacement REC’s. This lets the Village keep its renewable accounting in place while making money on the difference in value. In simple terms, it is a way to turn energy credits into extra revenue without changing the actual electricity serving the community. The goal is to use that money for things like electric system improvements, local renewable projects, and other utility-related needs. The process would net over $400,000 for the Village’s Electric Fund.
clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260406_03c.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

During New Business, we will touch on residential sidewalks, downtown parking plans, and economic development. After discussing what information we need from staff to further dive into these topics, we’d like to establish a timeline/set goals about when we will make decisions on these. You can read more about those issues here:

Refresher on past residential sidewalk legislation here:
clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260406_08a.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

Refresher on the background of YSDC’s formation and purpose here: clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260406_08b.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

Previous parking plans that have yet to be implemented are here:
clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260406_08c.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

Gavin’s memo about Strategic Planning is here: clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260406_08d.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

Do come and speak if you have things you want to share, you are curious, you have questions... even if it is not on our agenda. You can also share good news or events!

Watch the meeting online here: youtube.com/c/yellowspringscommunityaccess

Remember to update your voter registration TODAY by 9pm. https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/

Be well! ✌️

04/04/2026

As a follow-up to our previous post about why businesses should think carefully before renting from YSDC, the newly posted February YSDC board minutes raise additional concerns about 252–254 Xenia Ave.

According to YSDC’s own publicly posted minutes, as of February 3, 2026, the property was still dealing with:

- newly installed fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
- active replacement of knob-and-tube wiring serving sleeping rooms
- an unresolved occupancy question pending Fire Chief input
- discussion of asbestos assessment and additional electrical review
- rotted support beams and floor safety concerns in the hardware space

At the same time, the board discussed interested tenants and whether spaces might be leased “in the condition that they are in with caveats,” with the suggestion that any leases be clearly communicated as short term.

That is exactly why these questions matter.

After our last post, several individuals stepped into the comments — but instead of directly addressing the questions being raised, the responses largely avoided them.

We also want to acknowledge something important: not everyone can attend every YSDC meeting. Like most residents, business owners, and potential tenants, we can only evaluate what is made available through the official public records posted on the YSDC website.

While attending meetings may provide more current information, public records should still be posted in a timely enough manner to keep the public meaningfully informed. If the only way to understand the current status of a public-facing project is to attend meetings in person, that is not real transparency.

To be clear, this is not anti-development, and it is not based on rumor. These concerns come directly from YSDC’s own publicly posted February board minutes. If conditions have materially changed since then, the simplest way to show that is to post the March meeting minutes, keep the public record current, and answer the public’s questions directly.

We are still patiently waiting for the March meeting minutes so the public can see what, if anything, has changed since February.

If any of the issues reflected in the February minutes have already been resolved, we welcome YSDC to publicly clarify that with updated records or direct answers.

Transparency means more than showing up in the comments.
It means answering the questions and keeping the public record current enough to matter.

04/01/2026

Before anyone spends a dime on a “temporary lease” at 252/254 Xenia, there’s one question that needs answered first:

Can a business legally open there right now?

YSDC is now inviting businesses and organizations to apply for temporary space in the former hardware building.

That might sound exciting.

But let’s be real for a second…

This is the same building we’ve already heard has serious issues, needs major work, and could require substantial rehab.

So before any local business owner starts putting time, money, deposits, planning, inventory, or buildout costs into this, they deserve a straight answer:
• Is the building currently approved for occupancy for new tenants?
• Does it have a valid Certificate of Occupancy for the uses being solicited?
• Are there code, fire, accessibility, or safety issues that still need addressed?
• If the space needs upgrades before someone can open, who pays for that?

Because “temporary” does not mean “ready.”

And a Facebook post asking for proposals is not the same thing as a building being legally cleared for business use.

This isn’t anti-business.
It’s the opposite.

If YSDC truly wants to support local entrepreneurs, then the responsible thing to do is be upfront about whether these spaces are actually ready — or whether applicants could be walking into a situation where they spend money chasing a concept that can’t even open without more approvals, repairs, or code work.

Small business owners should absolutely err on the side of caution here.

Until YSDC clearly states the current occupancy status of 252/254 Xenia, what uses are legally allowed, and whether any upgrades are still required, nobody should assume these spaces are plug-and-play.

Before anyone applies, invests, or signs anything:
ask whether the building is actually approved for occupancy.

That’s not being negative.
That’s being smart.

03/30/2026

YSDC Now Seeking Temporary Lease Proposals for 252 & 254 Xenia Ave

After acquiring 252 & 254 Xenia Avenue, the Yellow Springs Development Corporation (YSDC) is now requesting proposals for temporary leasing opportunities at the property.

According to YSDC’s announcement:
• They are seeking community members, local organizations, and regional entities
• The lease term is at least 3 months
• Proposals are due April 14, 2026
• Applicants will be notified by May 2, 2026
• Selections will be based on:
• alignment with “community values”
• feasibility of the concept
• operational readiness

On its face, this sounds like an effort to activate the space in the short term.

But here are the transparency questions that still matter:

This property was purchased under a process that already raised major public concerns — especially around financing, public oversight, and overlapping leadership roles.

Now that YSDC is moving forward with temporary leasing, residents still deserve answers:
• What is the long-term plan for the property?
• How does temporary leasing fit into the overall redevelopment strategy?
• What costs are being incurred right now to prepare or maintain the space?
• Who is covering those costs?
• Will any public dollars eventually be used, directly or indirectly?
• What exactly does “alignment with community values” mean — and who decides that?
• Will the review and selection process be public and documented?

Why this matters:

Temporary leasing may help fill vacant storefronts, but it also shouldn’t become a substitute for answering the bigger questions:
• How was this purchase structured?
• What is the financial exposure?
• What is the repayment plan?
• What happens if redevelopment costs rise?
• And how much of this is being decided by the same small circle of connected organizations?

Transparency isn’t opposition.
If this is a strong plan, it should hold up to public scrutiny.

Residents deserve more than a request for proposals.
They deserve the full picture.

03/18/2026

Village Council’s March 16 meeting focused less on sweeping action and more on the nuts and bolts of governance — but buried inside the routine business were several issues that deserve the public’s attention.

Council moved through a fairly standard agenda, approving budget adjustments, housekeeping policies, Earth Day expenditures, and an appointment to the Greene County 911 Review Committee. It also formally adopted its 2026–2027 annual goals, though members emphasized that the document remains a work in progress.

But the most serious moment of the night came during citizens concerns, when a Yellow Springs resident told council that village police refused to take or document what she said should have been treated as a missing-child report during court-ordered parenting time. She cited Ohio law, said she had already filed a formal complaint with the police chief and copied the village manager, and told council she had still not received the written response she was promised. Whether or not officials ultimately agree with her interpretation, the issue raises an obvious question of public trust: when a resident says police failed to follow the law, and then says leadership failed to provide a promised written response, the public deserves clarity.

Council also heard a wide-ranging manager’s report that highlighted both strengths and pressures within village operations. Staff praised public works and electric crews for their response to weekend storm damage and outages, including restoration work that reportedly compared favorably with surrounding communities. At the same time, the village acknowledged continued public frustration over utility costs, especially electric capacity charges. Officials said those charges are driven by regional auction prices outside local control, but council members also admitted that residents are receiving conflicting explanations and that the village needs to do a better job communicating how the charges work.

That same communication problem surfaced elsewhere. The fourth-quarter financial presentation contained plenty of useful information, but many of the biggest changes in revenue and expenses required lengthy explanation about reimbursements, accounting changes, delayed transfers, and one-time events. In other words, the numbers may be accurate, but they are not always self-explanatory. If residents are going to trust the village’s financial story, financial reporting needs to remain both detailed and understandable.

The meeting also pointed to longer-term issues still taking shape. School safety concerns remain under review, with an engineering firm now expected to evaluate signage and crosswalk options near village schools. But even there, some council members questioned whether studies done now may soon be overtaken by ongoing school construction and changing traffic patterns. On housing, council continued organizing itself rather than advancing a final direction, with an upcoming retreat meant to rank priorities and define what housing policy should mean over the next two years.

Taken together, the meeting painted a picture of a village government doing a great deal of administrative work while still struggling in some areas to translate that work into public confidence. Residents heard about storm response, staff turnover, school safety, high water rates, electric bill pressure, and a direct police complaint — all in one evening. The challenge for council now is not just to manage those issues internally, but to explain them clearly, respond to concerns promptly, and show the public that accountability is more than a talking point.

03/16/2026

I want to thank all the folks that reach out to meet with me or sit and chat with me when you see me, be it at the Emporium or Ellie’s or Peach’s during my "open hours", a short pause on the sidewalk, in line at Current, or by the produce in Tom’s. I am never bothered. I know how small this village is and I understand the assignment - I signed up for it. I appreciate being in tune with what is on your mind and these conversations help me be a better council member.

Tonight’s meeting starts with an executive session to review a new/revised personnel policy manual (PPM) that the staff has been working on for several months. The PPM has not been updated since Jan 2022. The manual is not available for viewing while still in this drafting stage, however when complete and approved, the PPM will be public.

Just a reminder that executive sessions are not open to the public. The public must always know what topic we are discussing, and the same legal notices around meetings are required, but in general, we cannot share in-depth details around what was specifically said or viewed during executive sessions.

The regular meeting, open to the public, will begin at 6pm, as usual. Here’s what’s on for this evening:

-Ordinance 2026-05 is another routine movement of funds to cover first quarter expenses. $4000 is going to Gaunt Pool, $4000 to the Bryan Center and $23,394.74 is going to the Facilities Improvement Fund. It is an emergency reading so that funds can be moved immediately. You can see the details here: clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260316_02a.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

-Resolution 2026-12 is the staff’s final draft that has come out of the council’s goals workshop and planning. Take a look at it here: clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260316_02b.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

It reads pretty broad compared to the specific discussions that were had, and also pretty vague as to some of the actions planned to accomplish them. I suppose I am still learning how boxes get checked without a clear plan, but I myself am not discouraged in continuing the work I have already started towards goals that did not end up clearly defined in the staff's document. As I said above, and as remind myself everyday, I signed up for this.

-Resolution 2026-13 is about the certificate used for the village’s tax-exempt purchases, lining out who can use it and how staff is reimbursed if they purchase things using their own funds.

The policy provided is not final, so I hope to gain some clarity as to what could change and why.

-Resolution 2026-14 is to help fund the Earth Day celebration events planned and orchestrated by the Yellow Springs Habitat Team. The resolution outlines how the money will be spent here: clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260316_02d.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

This coalition puts a ton of work into several events, sources funds and services from multiple organizations and community members, and executes the events so well, all while treading lightly on the planet, as outlined very well by the organizer’s letter in the packet. You can read that here: clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260316_01c.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

-Resolution 2026-15 The Greene County 911 Review Committee has an open spot for a municipal representative. The Village Manager is recommending that the council recommend Bruce Eakins, a council member in the Village of Jamestown, as the municipal representative to the committee. According to our VM’s memo included in this link, several other municipalities are recommending the same. clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260316_02e.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

For years, citizens have complained about safety issues around the schools. Recently one particular citizen has been on a mission to highlight the street signage issues in particular. She has led the charge getting some council members and school board staff to walk the spaces with her. When I met with her, I was indeed pretty surprised at obvious signage issues that I had never noticed myself, but seem pretty obvious when pointed out. For this meeting, the Village Manager has included a memo stating he is having signage needs around the schools assessed by engineers as first steps. This is another great example of how getting involved makes a difference. (Cliche warning!) It takes a village.

This evening’s meeting also includes the Mayor’s monthly report. This is an easy way to see what is going through Mayor’s Court. That is available to view here: clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/YellowSprings-OH/260316_01d.pdf?clientSite=YellowSprings-OH

Yesterday I attended a talk that Mayor Steve McQueen gave at the UUF. I enjoyed hearing Steve speak more relaxed and share his path to becoming Mayor without the stress of campaigning. He also shared his vision for some policy changes in Mayor’s Court. I am excited to see him continue to accomplish his goals for the community.

See you 6pm at the Bryan Center.
Or watch online here: https://www.youtube.com/c/YellowSpringsCommunityAccess

Be well! ✌️

03/06/2026

Economic Development, YSDC, and the Village — Who Does What?

One of the more interesting discussions during the March 2 Village Council meeting centered around economic development and the role of different organizations in town.

During the council’s review of its annual goals, members discussed the need to clarify what role the village itself plays in economic development, and how that relates to other groups such as the Yellow Springs Development Corporation (YSDC) and the Chamber of Commerce.

At one point, council members acknowledged that there can sometimes be confusion about overlapping roles between organizations working on development, business support, and downtown vitality. The discussion focused on the idea that each organization should ideally operate within its own “lane,” while still cooperating when necessary.

Initially, the goal language referenced clarifying the role of YSDC, but council ultimately decided to reframe the goal to instead clarify the village’s own role in economic development and how it interacts with other entities.

Part of the conversation also touched on broader questions, such as:

• What should the village government’s role be in economic development?
• How should the village coordinate with organizations like YSDC and the Chamber?
• Where should responsibilities begin and end between different groups?

Council members noted that answering these questions could help reduce confusion and make future economic development decisions clearer.

This topic also connects to other discussions happening at the same meeting about downtown activity, pop-up markets, food trucks, and small business policy, which all fall under the broader question of how the village approaches economic development.

Like several other issues raised during the meeting, this appears to be an ongoing conversation rather than a finalized policy decision.

We’re curious what residents think.

How do you think economic development responsibilities should be divided in Yellow Springs?
What role should the village play, and what role should organizations like YSDC or the Chamber have?

Yellow Springs Government Transparency and Accountability

04/07/2026

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