By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council heard concerns Monday about traffic, trees and staying in touch with town residents.
In recent months, the vast number of citizens speaking at City Council meetings have been focused on the zoning code update – specifically the pedestrian residential zoning proposed for the older neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area.
But on Monday, council got some variety in comments from the community – including concerns about fast traffic, loss of large trees, non-conforming uses of properties, and late-night noise from a business.
Matt Sayre, a resident in the 700 block of West Gypsy Lane Road, expressed his frustration to City Council about motorists exceeding the speed limit near his home.
He noted a 95-foot long skid mark near his home.
“If you lived on the road, you would understand. It’s very frustrating,” Sayre said.
This is the second time Sayre shared his speed concerns with City Council. Sayre, who has a young son, expressed safety concerns. He told council that he has already approached city administration and police officials about the issue. The city put a sign up for a period, stressing that the speed limit is 35 mph.
In September of 2020, Sayre suggested possible solutions of conducting a speed study, installing a speed bump, or lowering the speed to 25 mph.
At that time, then City Attorney Mike Marsh explained that stretch of Gypsy Lane Road, between Indian Trace subdivision and the Slippery Elm Trail, would not likely qualify for a 25 mph limit. He suggested enforcement of the existing speed limit.
Sayre said traffic will only worsen on that stretch, with the opening of Culver’s down the street.
Council President Mark Hollenbaugh assured Sayre that council was listening, including Police Chief Tony Hetrick, who attended Monday’s meeting.
Suzanne Midden also spoke at the council meeting, stressing the need for the city to protect its large native trees. Midden said she has noticed more concrete and asphalt and fewer towering trees, which are important for the environment.
Old trees are like old houses, Midden said, explaining that both require a lot of care but are worth the effort.
“We need to protect our old growth trees,” she said.
Also at the meeting, Mayor Mike Aspacher presented city Arborist Adrien Lowien-Kirian with Tree City recognition. The Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Bowling Green a 2022 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. The city also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and higher level of tree care. This is the 43rd year Bowling Green has been recognized as a Tree City and the 29th time the city has received the Growth Award.
Back to the zoning issue, Rose Drain expressed dissatisfaction with non-conforming property uses being allowed to continue once new zoning is adopted.
“The city work should move as quickly as possible toward making buildings legally conforming – not put code in place that will continue non-conforming uses that will continue to perpetuate decades-long problems,” Drain said.
And Kathleen Dennis talked to council about “active intentional community engagement.” That requires information being presented to residents, then “seek input from the start from the community,” she said.
“Start by asking ‘What do you need?’” of the residents, Dennis suggested.
In other business, North Grove Street resident Randy Rush shared his concerns about loud noise from the brewery business in his neighborhood. He said loud music, sometimes until 2:30 a.m., prevents him from opening his windows during those times.
There was also some good news presented by Lindsay Jo Durham, office manager of Downtown Bowling Green, who talked about the 31st Annual Art Walk planned in the downtown on Saturday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A reception will follow at the Wood County Senior Center from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Art Walk invites the community to see the work of local artists in their pop-up shops downtown.
In other business, Bowling Green Planning Director Heather Sayler reported on the office’s zoning permits, housing starts, and new or expanding businesses. She also noted that 6,682 rental housing units have been registered with the city. That means the city is nearing the completion of registering all the rental housing properties, estimated to be approximately 7,000.
