February PC Minutes
Planning Commission Minutes – February 4, 2009
The Planning Commission met on the above date at 7:30 p.m. in the Administrative Services Building, 304 North Church Street, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Members Present: Barber, Burton, Ash, Roudebush, Robinette, Gaskins, Arnold.
Members Absent: Leck and Ferrell.
MINUTES
The minutes of the January 7, 2009 meeting were approved as submitted.
LOBBY VISITATION
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Annexation of properties on the south side of East Gypsy Lane Road from Center Township. Gerken, Perkins, Klotz, Nicholson, Baty, Cheetwood, Parsons, and Frank, petitioners.
Rick Ketzenbarger, Planning Director, saidthat the owners of these properties plan to connect to the City’s sewer so they are required to seek annexation since they are contiguous to other properties in the City. He said the petition has been properly filed and the Administration supports the annexation.
Ash opened public hearing. Hearing no comments, he closed the public hearing.
Barber moved, Gaskins seconded, to recommend this annexation to City Council. Motion carried unanimously.
Detachment of approximately 20.5248 acres on Haskins Road. Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers Association, petitioner.
Ketzenbarger said that this petition is to detach property that was recently purchased by the Tractor Pullers. He said that the City’s Administration desired to retain the right-of-way along Haskins Road, which changes the acreage to 20.4465. He said that an amended petition providing for this has been received and now it is in order for approval.
Ash opened the public hearing.
Mark Hallowell said that he lives on Haskins Road and he would like to know if there are any plans for a lighted sign at this property. He said that one would not be in the best interest of the character of the area. He said that he is also wondering if this property will now be used as a venue for many events that may generate a lot of traffic. Hesaid he wants to know how big and how often the events will be on this property. He said that since they will have approximately four times the area they used to have he is afraid it will end up being a venue for something such as the country concert in Fort Laramie, Ohio. He said he would not like a continuous large stream of traffic. He said that he wants to know what guarantee he and his neighbors have that it won’t turn into a great venue and in 5-10 years they may start having more events.
Mike Brown said that for the past 43 years the Tractor Pullers have held one event and that is in August. He said that it brings a lot of money in for the City and the surrounding areas. He said that as of now there are no other events being discussed.
He said that someday they may put another access road in but he doesn’t know of any plans that the current time. He said that to answer the question of the lighted sign he doesn’t see the need for one at this time. He said there is a sign on the building and that is probably all they need.
Ash asked who can restrict these things.
Ketzenbarger said that the township would control everything except the access to the site. He said that is under the City’s control.
Al Puse, Director of the National Tractor Pullers, mentioned that it was recommended by their attorney that there be an access road to the second parcel. He said that it doesn’t have to be done immediately but it has been recommended.
Ash closed the public hearing.
Barber asked if it is possible for them to use the property in the way they would like to if it remains in the City.
Ketzenbarger said that if the property remained in the City they would have to rezone it because the current zoning classification it is in does not allow campgrounds. He also said that assuming that it got rezoned to a classification that allows campgrounds they would still be required under the City’s regulations to provide hard, dustless surfaces (presumably asphalt) every place a vehicle of any sort would be driving or parked. He said that would be the biggest impact if they remained in the City.
Robinette asked if this property can be accessed from the other property the Tractor Pullers own that is adjacent.
Brown answered that they can access it from the other property.
Ketzenbarger said that this issue would be handled by them submitting a traffic impact study and then it would be determined whether it was allowed based on the City’s Access Management rules.
Burton moved, Robinette seconded that this detachment be recommended to City Council with the amended acreage. Motion carried unanimously.
INTERIM ZONING
For properties on the south side of East Gypsy Lane Road.
Ketzenbarger said that he is obligated to recommend that these properties be given a zoning classification that most closely matches the zoning it currently has in the township, which is agricultural. He said the Commission can also recommend the present use of the property (residential) or the Master Plan’s projected use (Agricultural/Vacant).
Barber moved, Robinette seconded that the interim zoning of R-2, Single-Family, Residential, be recommended to City Council. Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT
Representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Roudebush said there was one variance request and it was approved.
Adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
