By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green grew by 160 acres Tuesday evening.
In December, the city planning commission voted to annex two chunks of farmland south of Bowling Green Road East in Center Township. The annexations were petitioned for by the landowners following discussions with Bowling Green Economic Development officials.
According to BG Planning Director Heather Sayler, there are no specific plans for the acreage, but just a plan “for potential future growth.”
BG Economic Development Director Kati Thompson said last month that the city is just planning ahead.
“We know it will be more marketable if it’s already annexed and zoned for development,” Thompson said.
All of Bowling Green’s business parks are “nearing completion,” she said. “There are some lots available at each, but no larger parcels.”
The annexation petitions had already been approved by the Wood County Commissioners. On Tuesday, the requests went through the final step of being approved by BG City Council.
The two annexation requests cover:
- 65.6 acres south of Bowling Green Road East, also known as East Wooster Street as it heads out of the city. The frontage of this acreage is located between 14771 and 14801 Dirlam Road. The owner is listed as Laurel Krone.
- 95 acres located on the south side of East Wooster Street, on the opposite side of the road from the Meijer store. The address is 10433 E. Bowling Green Road. The owners are listed as Ronald and Linda Joseph.
Prior to being officially annexed Tuesday evening, the 160 acres were zoned for agricultural use in Center Township.
In preparation for future development of the properties and at the request of the city’s economic development office and recommendation of the planning commission, City Council voted to approve interim zoning of the acreage as Innovation and Employment zoning. That is the same zoning designation as adjoining properties in the city, Sayler said.
That zoning classification allows uses such as auto repair garage, delivery distribution center, general industry, indoor sports training facility, medical services, microbrewery, professional offices, restaurant, retail sales, or warehouse.
Despite the zoning change, the properties can continue to be farmed until potential development occurs, Sayler said.
The interim zoning classifications were met by objections by one person during the public hearings. Vicki Venn, of Bowling Green, told City Council that it should not be discussing the zoning issue Tuesday evening since the proper signs about the rezoning requests had not been posted on the properties.
“There are still no signs posted. Therefore, we can’t even discuss these,” Venn said. “They’re your laws not mine.”
Sayler explained that the signage is required for city property being rezoned – not property being annexed and given interim zoning.
Council member Rachel Phipps agreed, saying that during her six years on council, “We have never posted signs when we’ve done interim zoning.”
After the public hearing, Venn said she understood the annexations were requested by the landowners, but said she objects to the city taking land from Center Township without paying the entity enough to make up the lost revenue to township.
