(Photo by Gwen Sour) From left, Marietta City Councilwoman Erin O’Neill and Councilman Bill Gossett discuss the agenda prior to the special council meeting on Wednesday evening.

The Marietta City Council and the Planning, Zoning, Annexation & Housing Committee convened for a special meeting on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Armory.

The meeting addressed a range of municipal matters, including the approval of procedural changes, rezoning requests, and updates to the city’s Citizen Participation Plan.

Ordinance 146, which would authorize Director of Public Safety Steve Wetz to open bids and contract for the Marietta Family Aquatic Center passed after an amendment. The ordinance initially stated, to “advertise for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and enter into a multi-year contract on behalf of the City of Marietta, Ohio” but was changed to exclusively seek requests for proposals as opposed to also enter a contract.

The amendment of the Citizen Participation Plan was brought forth by Marietta Development Director Geoff Schenkel. He explained that new federal regulations now allow public notices to be posted on the city’s website rather than requiring publication in newspapers. This change is expected to significantly reduce costs. The council was asked to approve the update. The proposed amendment aims to enhance efficiency while ensuring compliance with federal guidelines.

The committee also reviewed a proposal for rezoning properties on Gilman Avenue to allow for expanded auto sales. The request involved changing zoning classifications to consolidate adjacent parcels into a single commercial zoning designation (C6). While the requesting party as not present, committee members reviewed the rezoning process and outlined the necessary steps before any final decision could be made.

A detailed flowchart was presented to illustrate the rezoning process, which includes:

* Initial review by the Planning and Zoning Committee

* Referral to the full City Council

* Consideration by the Planning Commission

* Public hearings and community feedback

* Final council vote following a third reading

Councilman Bret Allphin emphasized that the process involves multiple stages to ensure transparency and public participation.

The next Marietta City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Armory.