By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Businesses have no business in residential areas, one Bowling Green resident told City Council Tuesday evening.
While national trends show many communities trying to integrate walkable neighborhood businesses in residential areas, David Wilson, of Eberly Avenue, said that is a “social experiment” that is unfair to residents.
While Bowling Green’s proposed zoning code update has its merits, Wilson said he objects to the plan embedding zoning for a bar/business within his residential area.
“It’s not what we the residents bought, own, live in or want,” he told council.
“This sliver of land could and should be transformed and redeveloped into a homogeneous residential site to integrate and complement the neighborhood,” Wilson said.
“This matter is dividing the neighbors and neighborhood,” he said. “The end result will be to either accept the forced social experiment changes or exit the district or even the city.”
Last month, the Bowling Green Planning Commission reviewed the proposed zoning update, which includes “commercial neighborhood” and “pedestrian residential” zoning – both which allow some businesses to coexist side-by-side with homes.
For example, a microbrewery would be allowed in neighborhood commercial zoning.
In June, Nolan Nicaise, urban and environmental planner at ZoneCo, the firm hired by the city to work on the zoning code update, used this example because of recent complaints about the microbrewery on Hankey Street in a residential area located one block from Wilson’s home.
“We’re taxpaying citizens. We’ve been here forever,” said Wilson, who was very vocal in his opposition of the annual Porchfest in his neighborhood last month. Despite his concerns, that event went off with no problems.
Wilson accused city officials of already having their minds made up about the proposed zoning update.
“We obviously have no real say in this matter or decision. Sure, you the city will politely listen to our comments and concerns, and then do what you have planned, thus forcing us to take legal steps to bring it to the public’s attention to stop it.”
“It is time for the city administration and the city council/planning commission members to become responsible adults and engage their moral compass,” Wilson said.
City Council member Greg Robinette asked Wilson to give city government a chance to work through the zoning update process – without jumping to conclusions of the outcome.
“Please give the system a chance to work,” Robinette said. “There will be ample opportunity for public input,” including at a meeting today at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
Council President Mark Hollenbaugh also assured that citizen concerns will be listened to by City Council and the Planning Commission.
“All things will be taken seriously into consideration,” Hollenbaugh told Wilson.
Following is the timeline for the update process:
- Until July 1, public comments were accepted on the online portal at https://bgohio.org/636/Zoning-Code-Update.
- July 6, the planning commission will allow public comment, hold a work session to address online public comments and suggest edits to the update.
- Aug. 3, the planning commission will review edits and schedule a public hearing.
- Sept. 7, the planning commission will hold a public hearing on the zoning code and map, and make a recommendation to City Council.
- Sometime in October, council will hold the first reading of the proposed zoning code and map, and schedule a public hearing.
- Sometime in November, council will hold a public hearing and vote on the adoption of the zoning code and map.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, BG Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Hinkelman and Mayor Mike Aspacher talked about the success of the BG Boom festivities for the Fourth of July. Hinkelman said thousands of people attended and enjoyed the food trucks, community band performance, children’s activities and fireworks.
