Richmond Common Council delayed its zoning decisions to receive additional information, putting two development projects on hold June 1.
Both zoning changes received recommendations for approval from the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission during its May 27 meeting, and city zoning staff also recommended approval for both.
Council first heard the request to rezone 6412 National Road E. from institutional to general commercial. The rezoning would enable Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store to expand its Richmond operations. Owner Louie Keen told the plan commission he planned fuel pumps, mini-golf and an Americana museum to turn the site into a fun attraction.
Ryan Toms, who owns adjacent property for Camp Mahanaim, a children’s summer camp, opposed the rezoning because of an active dispute about water access and fire-code violations. He said a fire hydrant serving the camp is not operational and the camp’s bathroom and showers are inoperable.
A.J. Sickmann, the city attorney, said he became aware of the situation over the previous weekend, but he said the issues seemed separate from the zoning question.
Council member Gary Turner agreed the issues did not impact zoning; however, council member Jerry Purcell expressed preference to hold the ordinance. Council member Lucinda Wright said the issues made her uncomfortable voting on the zoning, and council member Doug Goss said it would be wise to hold the ordinance.
Sickmann said he was in the early stages of investigating, but reiterated his belief that the issues were not related to the zoning discussion. He said he likely would advise council that the water issue was a civil matter. Regardless, council voted 8-1 to hold the ordinance, with Turner dissenting.
Council then considered the request by Church at the Meadows to rezone 19 acres of its parcel at 3430 Backmeyer Road from institutional to multi-family residential. That would enable Lauck Properties to develop a planned 78-unit condominium complex called The Meadows.
Council member Larry Parker requested the ordinance be amended to prevent access from Backmeyer Road. Gordon Moore of Beals-Moore & Associates said the development had five possibilities for access and requested the zoning pass prior to a traffic study that would cost Lauck more than $15,000. Moore pointed out that the development would need further city approvals and permits and would return to the plan commission with requests for primary and secondary plat approval.
Parker replied that council did not have another opportunity to stop the development, saying council considers how the land best serves the city, its citizens and the neighbors. Sickmann said it was not appropriate to amend the ordinance and noted that Lauck might not commit to the expensive traffic study without zoning approval.
Brett Karanovich, pastor for Church at the Meadows, said the city should enforce Backmeyer’s 30 mph speed limit rather than blocking the development.
Turner moved that council proceed that night, but that motion was defeated 5-4 with Goss, Wright, Purcell, Jane Bumbalough and Justin Burkhardt dissenting. Sickmann then told council that vote defeated the rezoning ordinance, and council members expressed surprise, saying they were confused and did not intend to stop the zoning.
Sickmann said parliamentary procedure would permit a motion to rescind that vote and hold the ordinance for further access and traffic information. That motion passed unanimously.
Police cars
Council also unanimously approved an ordinance appropriating $360,000 from general fund cash reserves to purchase six police vehicles and outfit eight police vehicles. Two vehicles will be purchased with opioid settlement money.
Wetzel Ford ordered the eight vehicles last fall for Richmond Police Department, but the vehicles were removed from the 2026 budget. Wetzel was not informed, and received the vehicles in January.
Purcell said RPD badly needs the vehicles.
Wright suggested the city needs to purchase the vehicles so that it does not hurt the local business or the police department. Council member Bill Engle said the city must provide vehicles so officers can safely perform their duties. Burkhardt expressed that the police department should reimburse the city from its 2027 budget.
A version of this article appeared in the June 10 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.