By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
With the zoning update nearing a vote, Bowling Green residents took some final shots at the new zoning classification that some fear will hurt their neighborhoods.
A public hearing on the zoning update will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m., in the Veterans Building in City Park. The third reading of the ordinance is scheduled for June 12.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, five residents expressed their concerns about the proposed Pedestrian Residential zoning that is planned for the older residential neighborhoods that surround the downtown area. The zoning would permit a few types of businesses and more multi-family housing in those residential areas.
Lee Hakel spoke of a community she lived in before, where businesses were within walking distances of homes. But in that case, the businesses evolved out of a need, and weren’t forced on the community by city government.
Hakel said she has heard many complaints about the zoning change, but no support.
“Who’s going to benefit from these changes?” besides landlords who will benefit financially from more rental properties, she said. She also cautioned that these changes may spread to other areas of the city.
“Consider the concerns of the citizens,” Hakel said to members of City Council.
David Drain told council that a citizens group is surveying the density of the area proposed for pedestrian residential zoning. On the west side of Main Street, in the area near downtown, 25% of the homes are already multi-family.
Drain said he will present more data at Wednesday’s public hearing.
Jan Knape expressed her disappointment in City Council members for not responding to her email showing images from her block – noting the differences between owner-occupied and rental housing.
“It’s pretty compelling,” Knape said.
No council members recalled getting the emails from Knape, so told them she would resend the photos.
Rose Drain shared her displeasure that design and landscape standards were not addressed in the pedestrian residential zoning. However, council member Jeff Dennis said the zoning does require street trees.
Rose Drain thanked council members Nick Rubando and Dennis for supporting two-unit dwellings in all residential areas – not just the pedestrian residential zoned neighborhoods.
“We are overrun with multi-unit dwellings already,” Rose Drain said.
And Jeff Snook spoke against the pedestrian residential zoning, noting that he had served on the zoning board of appeals in the past.
“Things are OK as they are,” Snook told City Council.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Mayor Mike Aspacher swore in new firefighter Nathan Hossler. Fire Chief Bill Moorman thanked Hossler, and his wife, Samantha, for their dedication to the firefighting profession.
Aspacher also spoke about the performance of fire and police first responders during the recent hazardous material exercise organized by the Local Emergency Planning Committee. The community should be proud of their efforts, he said.
In other business, Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley talked about summer programming kicking into high gear. She also talked about some changes at City Park, including:
- Removal of all but one horseshoe pit.
- Addition of two concrete cornhole sets.
- New picnic tables with checkers and chess boards printed on them.
- A shade structure being added to the Eli Joyce softball field.
- A wood sculpture planned using some of the wood from a Burr Oak that had to be removed. The sculpture is being designed and made by local artist Gail Christofferson.
