By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green saw more new housing construction last year, more annexations, and more fences being built.
Zoning permits increased 16% from 2023 to 2024.
New dwelling units built increased 39.5% – with 48 new homes in 2024 compared to 29 in 2023. Residential areas also saw many zoning permits requested for accessory structures, additions, driveways, fences, pools and patios.
City newsletters for new residents were sent to 272 households last year, compared to 133 in the year before.
As part of her annual report to City Council last week, BG Planning Director Heather Sayler talked about national planning trends – with much of the country sharing a common need. “We need more housing across the country,” she said.
Sayler also noted the frequent problem of construction taking place without the necessary permits. That issue is a “constant battle,” she said.
The city’s code enforcement officer cited violations for:
- 238 new construction projects without permits.
- 182 signs that were illegal or in the right-of-way.
- 74 improper trash can placements.
- 20 locations lacking address visibility.
Last year, the actions of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, and the Historic Preservation Commission increased significantly, Sayler highlighted.
The Planning Commission reviewed 41 reviews for requests for subdivisions, annexations and rezoning – as compared to 13 in 2023. The Zoning Board of Appeals heard 35 requests, compared to 25 the previous year. Many of the appeals involved off-street parking, driveways and setbacks.
The city received an $18,000 Certified Local Government Grant, which helped to install 16 local historical signs in the downtown area. The Historical Preservation Commission and volunteers spent countless hours on the research and sign designs.
The city’s planning commission approved seven annexation requests, growing Bowling Green by approximately 184 acres, including:
- 12821 Nims Road, 0.53 acres
- 17670 N. Dixie Highway, 0.6 acres
- 17708 N. Dixie Highway, 0.8 acres
- 13055 Bishop Road, 2.9 acres
- South Dunbridge Road, 18.8 acres
- Dirlam Road, 65.62 acres
- 10433 Bowling Green Road East, 95 acres
The city received 388 requests for zoning permits in 2024, compared to 335 in the previous year. Those permits were for such projects as new construction, additions, driveways, fences, pools, patios and signs.
The city has had a contract with the Wood County Health Department since 1973 for the two-phase evaluation and enforcement of the county’s Health, Safety and Sanitation Regulations for Structures and Vacant Lots. As part of this approach, the health department performs an Exterior Housing Evaluation Survey every five years.
This data is used by the city and the health department to identify neighborhoods that have exterior structure, maintenance and sanitation problems for follow-up (with annual mini-surveys). The next exterior housing surveys will be due next year (2026). Past reports can be viewed here: https://www.bgohio.org/278/Health-Safety-or-Sanitation-Concerns.
The Planning Department also receives and distributes to city administrative staff and City Council a monthly report of complaints received by the Wood County Health Department.
Last year, there were 148 complaints, with 128 being resolved. The majority of the exterior complaints involved peeling paint (117 total, representing 87%), 36 properties followed with a mini-survey, with 31 resolved.
The annual report presented to City Council showed several “before and after” photos of houses being repaired with painting, new porches, new roofs, siding, windows and doors.
Following is a list of new construction or additions in the community last year in areas zoned for innovation and employment, commercial, interstate commerce, and institutional.
Innovation and employment
New construction:
- Oppidan, 2501 Woodstream Drive
Accessory structures:
- Hartung Brothers, 815 S. Dunbridge Road
- Tin Man, 1358 Bellard Drive
Additions:
- Precision Alloy, 726 Innovation Drive
- Ohio Logistics, 134 Woodgate Drive (2)
- DOWA, 2130 S. Woodland Circle
- Ohio Logistics, 2371 Woodstream Drive
- Betco, 400 Van Camp Road
Alterations:
- SBA, 2505 E. Wooster St.
- A-Gas, 1100 Haskins Road
Commercial
New construction:
- Car wash, 1111 N. Main St.
Accessory structure:
- Children’s Resource Center, 1045 Klotz Road
Alteration:
- Harbor Freight, 1080 S. Main St.
Zoning compliance:
- McDonald’s, 1050 S. Main St.
- Circle K, 996 S. Main St.
Interstate commerce
New construction:
- Wing Stop/Jersey Mike’s, 1502 E. Wooster St.
Alteration:
- Speedway, 1650 E. Wooster St.
Zoning compliance:
- Heavenly Pizza, 1414 E. Wooster St.
Institutional
Accessory structure:
- Bowling Green High School, 530 W. Poe Road
Addition:
- Dayspring, 17360 N. Dixie Highway
- Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, 1921 E. Gypsy Lane Road
Alteration:
- St. Aloysius, 150 S. Enterprise St.
Zoning compliance:
- Wood County Commissioners, 1928 E. Gypsy Lane Road
- Wood County Commissioners, 1840 E. Gypsy Lane Road
The planning office also received requests for downtown permits for uses of A-frame signs, outdoor dining, sidewalk merchandise displays and six parklets (five returning and one new).
