By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green’s boundaries are being stretched to the north and the east – with the city getting three annexation requests so far this year for a total of 283 acres.
Annexations are requested by the landowners, and reach the city planning commission after being approved by the Wood County Commissioners. So, traditionally there are few questions asked when the city considers annexation requests.
But on Wednesday evening, a member of the Bowling Green Planning Commission suggested that the city weigh the costs versus benefits for annexing more land into the city.
Abhishek Bhati reminded the commission that this is the third request so far this year. It involves 67.7 acres in Plain Township, located on the north and south sides of Bishop Road, west of Brim Road.
The petitioners are Robert W. Maurer, DougnFlo LLC, and Maurer Family Farms LLC. They have asked that the city establish interim zoning of R-2 residential for the acreage that is currently zoned for agricultural use.
In January, the city approved the annexation of 160 agricultural acres on the east side of Bowling Green, south of Bowling Green Road East. Interim zoning was set as Innovation & Employment.
And in April, city officials agreed to the annexation of 57 acres on the north side of the city, located east of Ohio 25, north of Newton Road, and west of the CSX railroad tracks. Innovation & Employment zoning was also sought for that property, which is currently farmland.
Bowling Green Planning Director Heather Sayler explained Wednesday evening that annexations often take place when owners of property contiguous to the city request city services, such as water, sewer and electric.
“The city has not been aggressive with annexations. They’ve let the property owners drive that,” she said.
The city’s future land use map has identified the Bishop Road area as “suburban residential, Sayler said.
In the case of this latest request involving four parcels along Bishop Road, Sayler said Bob Maurer has expressed interest in marketing the acreage for residential development.
Bhati suggested that in some cases, the city’s costs associated with serving new acreage may be greater than the benefit it brings to the community. New property not only requires expansion of utilities, but also police and fire services.
“I think we need to have some robust discussion about this,” he said.
Bhati also raised questions about Maurer’s request for R-2 medium density residential interim zoning, which will allow single family and townhouses. Bhati said R-3 zoning might be better for the city since it would allow for smaller, less expensive homes.
He pointed out the homes in the new Toussaint Springs development which were originally proposed to cost $225,000, are instead in the $375,000 range.
“To me, that is not an affordable house,” he said.
Planning commission member Julie Broadwell also expressed concern over the lack of lower priced homes. “I’m all in favor of finding more affordable housing,” she said.
Others on the planning commission suggested that the housing market should drive the type of housing being constructed. Tom Stalter said families seem to want homes of 2,000 or 2,500 square feet.
By a vote of 7-0, the planning commission recommended City Council approve the annexation request. By a vote of 6-1, with Bhati dissenting, the commission recommended City Council set the interim zoning at R-2.
