GIRARD — City council on Monday passed by a 6-1 emergency vote an ordinance placing a temporary moratorium on burial of family members on residential property or creating a family cemetery within the city.

Mayor Mark Zuppo said at Monday’s meeting that council, the administration and the planning commission have begun the process to establish local zoning ordinances to regulate family burial or family cemeteries within the city.

Safety Service Director Mark Ragozine said there was a recent inquiry at the administration building by a resident wanting to bury a family member on their property. Officials said the one-year moratorium is needed so meaningful discussions can take place in order to adopt the zoning ordinances necessary to regulate such burials.

Officials said they want to have an ordinance addressing the process in place.

Councilman John Moliterno, D-at Large, cast the “no” vote, stating he agrees with the ordinance that a zoning regulation needs to be in place, but wanted to have three readings on the ordinance to allow for public input and comments.

The ordinance received a first reading at the Sept. 8 meeting, with suspension of remaining readings on Monday.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

In other business, Ragozine said the Maplewood Estates housing project by Realtor Jason Altobelli of Niles is being planned in the city. Altobelli has been invited to attend a caucus session at 6:30 pm. Oct. 14 to discuss what is being planned.

Ragozine said he was informed that 30 villas valued between $200,000 and $300,000 are being planned.

“This will be the first major housing development in the city in 30 years,” Ragozine said.

He said there will be an increase in property tax with the additional villas.

Ragozine said Altobelli has done housing projects in Niles and will be able to share that information at the Oct. 14 caucus.

In other business, Auditor Julie Coggins said the speed cameras collected $44,454 in August, which is the lowest monthly total the city has had this year since the cameras have been in use.

Zuppo said camera money will be increasing again as three additional police officers have been hired, which will allow for more officers to monitor for speeding vehicles within the city.

Coggins said of the speed camera revenue for August, $20,448 was placed in the general fund.

She said speed camera totals this year are down $265,300 from 2024 and $397,000 less than what was collected in 2023.

Also, Zuppo announced a ribbon-cutting will be at noon Wednesday for Curaleaf marijuana dispensary at the corner of Route 422 and Churchill Road.