[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6329194,"mediaKeyId","2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267","parentId",2316428,"title","Votes at a glance: Planning commission actions — officer elections, ARB appointment, minutes and decisions on development cases","audioSeconds",5926,"startMs",81000,"endMs",6007000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267&start=81&end=6007","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267/thumbnail_81000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329194/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Planning-commission-actions-officer-elections-ARB-appointment-minutes-and-decisions-on-development-cases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329194-6856d8a70e633c536997dccf8922cea6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154440&Signature=az-ee0KF~waUAV1p9J1efSOSeD5HoKAlYIXfLeUDfF4fwfOk2Cd4NaODTSyySVupMM1ww5JemvCEdj7FW-kLJr7ymhSHhDfRL5ElvM9-O3oiFTlXnSMWucFpQzhsv6thOfuv8jOcc~BvXaqwBP3k9W~enIoZX~jWgbj1niiQI2sdPbymqxZ6Y2Cuz3wZRWURkO11BlsmH9NZ4mLGw7m-A~eetxmCPSHzCKfP6LobLRM0u7W4BRKLzuTVdX9AgHjOaJrJadxnODRO~7T~kjFAHtUMYVEIc71o1W17qBkMG0pkw4odlcroajufGvNnzKVIkYbOrdJjm91iXDiMOt1sAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Middletown OH","date","2025-02-14T13:35:57Z","article","The Middletown City Planning Commission took a series of procedural and substantive votes during the meeting.

Elections and appointments
- The commission elected Will Parsons chairperson and elected a vice chair (names recorded in the meeting roll call). The commission also appointed an existing planning‑commission member to the Architectural Review Board to maintain two planning‑commission members on the ARB. Those procedural actions were carried by recorded voice votes.

Administrative minutes
- The commission approved meeting minutes from December 11 and January 13 as presented.

Land‑use actions (selected)
- Approved: Final development plan for Sheetz (Lot 1, Renaissance Point) — approved unanimously by members present; staff recommended approval; applicant must submit lighting and grading details at permitting.
- Recommended denial (advisory to city council): Text amendment to remove the school board‑appointed member from planning commission — commission voted 5–1 to recommend denial; matter now goes to city council.
- Denied: Map amendment and preliminary development plan for Wawa at the former CVS site (3445 Union Road) — commission denied the request citing PD minimum acreage, comprehensive plan guidance for the East End Renaissance area and staff concerns about spot‑zoning and traffic; vote was a majority denial.
- Continued: Conditional‑use application for Key There Society (after‑school program and charitable services at 1342 Central Avenue) — commission continued the application unanimously to the next meeting to allow the applicant to provide additional program scope and licensing details and for staff to confer with the health department.

All formal votes and recorded tallies are reflected in the meeting minutes and in the commission’s recorded roll calls. Items requiring additional documentation will return to the commission for final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting 02.12.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Middletown Planning Commission elected its 2025 officers, appointed a member to the Architectural Review Board, approved minutes, approved a Sheetz final development plan, recommended denial of a council text amendment on the school board seat, denied a Wawa preliminary plan, and continued a conditional‑use request for further details.","taxTitle","Middletown City Council, Middletown, Butler County, Ohio","taxId",68987,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6329197,"Commission continues Key There Society conditional‑use request for downtown childcare and support services",5168,5992000,11160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267&start=5992&end=11160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267/thumbnail_5992000.jpg","/articles/6329197/Ohio/Commission-continues-Key-There-Society-conditionaluse-request-for-downtown-childcare-and-support-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329197-dafd64b90bfd0c552e69e30f72a19823/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154440&Signature=KQJdVWlXDBZ3omqj0Q2iLXPNU0ncd25lkU4anufGRxukY~HDRYSyh6BJRS1s7oZWJHR9v9y6OYsNTu~rQmuG8lDtn~kuG1MJKGu6cirNOjLG0v1qnbYPkPmyJcBlWk42xqvrMs42NbfikdjiEba68aUEiHmMxs1ZNJO4eRyx6GMNISVZcu5dvK5DZMYQGWQcaivSSEsE6PXWkTE8tTQ2E8TqDsN6BFkWU5maFmZhMIb1CtexiOIKDxLadaFQo6tsGvMHgHSHEHjesbg5oLefpd5KJks11GmUwudA0CSsnvUfOj2da6hO5EUFNk~LjsHmpl2wbbKYQ9ge3v3OQ2AzDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission continued a conditional‑use application from Key There Society (applicant: Lakisha Thomas) for a fraternal/charitable/service‑oriented club and an after‑school program at 1342 Central Avenue in the UCC (Urban Core Central) subdistrict.

Staff recommended continuing the application to the commission’s next regular meeting to allow the applicant to clarify the planned program scope, hours, number and ages of children served, food service and transportation arrangements, and whether any licensing or health‑department approvals will be required as the program grows. Health Commissioner Jackie Carter addressed the commission and said the health department can work with the applicant, but clarified that services such as cooking or expanded childcare frequently trigger licensing, food‑service and proximity rules (for example, distances from liquor‑serving establishments or other regulated uses) that staff and the applicant should examine before final conditional‑use approval.

Applicant Lakisha Thomas described current operations: an after‑school program and distributed basic living‑needs assistance to low‑income families, with programming for children ages roughly 3–13, weekday hours about 11 a.m. to 5:30–6 p.m., and limited transport of a few students. Volunteers described enrichment activities and donated clothing, and said the applicant provides snacks but not full meal cooking on site. Thomas told the commission she is operating from the Central Avenue address under a lease but that she would consider relocating if a different site better fit regulatory requirements; she asked for time to coordinate with staff and the health department.

Commissioners voted to continue the conditional‑use review to the next regular meeting so staff and the applicant can provide the additional detail staff requested. The continuation was unanimous among commissioners present.

Staff will follow up with the applicant to document the program scope, identify any required state or local childcare licensing, confirm whether food preparation will require a food‑service permit, and evaluate location suitability relative to the downtown plan and DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) rules.","The Planning Commission continued to next month a conditional‑use application from Key There Society seeking to operate after‑school programs and a fraternal/charitable/service‑oriented organization at 1342 Central Avenue, citing the need for clearer written scope, licensing and health‑department input.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6329201,"Commission denies Wawa map amendment and preliminary development plan for former CVS site",2731,3216000,5947000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267&start=3216&end=5947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267/thumbnail_3216000.jpg","/articles/6329201/Ohio/Commission-denies-Wawa-map-amendment-and-preliminary-development-plan-for-former-CVS-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329201-06f9d91a8e66dfe8f9ba7a9606f928eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154441&Signature=bZcnkTgDh-eSxFGskLZjJFKejhcnKcvHA-98M~zQcjwngQo0gsQOQo5XZNtotGmxu5wYNjLo~HvLLbMaMkZk1mx266KLHHMADrwhLgm5qKE5Gmy0Dy6BApymwdbApKWW3S5NhfSkJMkDTV221Dg-Ke~EETa7VTddThDc-OiWudT8oYaIrIsq7odQKOv3yrD4Vo43qeYnVGlqNcdX9aRh99CqO6o1Ow5oU~81QJmOVC5sw8Fy4VnI2xjUYJ85O2NkqLEiXURe7pe5LFJEcucY-31HO2lDvDTIxVisQRMvyhlGQbblt6V~4q8HPP38Qy~pC1UOwxyad6b5CjAQ4y8yAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown Planning Commission denied a developer’s request to rezone a former CVS parcel and approve a preliminary development plan to build a Wawa convenience store with fuel sales on a 1.767‑acre site at 3445 Union Road.

City planning staff recommended denial, citing several factors: the development code’s plan development district minimum site area is 5 acres; the application would create a small PD to allow a use (retail fuel sales) that is otherwise prohibited in the site’s BCH zoning, which staff characterized as spot‑zoning; and the parcel sits in the East End Renaissance Development Opportunity Area where the comprehensive plan envisions larger employment‑mixed uses and master‑planned business park development. City management also flagged the potential for fuel station oversaturation near an existing BP station and requested a tier‑2 traffic study and additional utility and boundary clarifications.

The applicant’s team — represented by planner Jonathan Woker and developer Troutman Doms — argued the 1.8‑acre parcel is uniquely constrained (three frontages, existing building and leases) and that a PD rezoning would allow productive redevelopment of a long‑vacant retail site, generating roughly 40 jobs and a multi‑million‑dollar investment. Wawa corporate representatives described the retailer’s food‑service focus, community donations, and planned site features such as EV charging infrastructure.

After deliberation commissioners raised concerns that the PD route would be used to permit a single‑building, vehicle‑oriented use that conflicts with the Event Center/BC district goals for a walkable mixed‑use gateway and that the application did not meet the PD acreage threshold and could constitute spot zoning. A motion to deny the map amendment and preliminary development plan passed (deny recorded by a majority of commissioners present). The commission recorded negatives citing the comprehensive plan’s Employment Mixed Use designation and the PD minimum acreage requirement.

The applicant may appeal the decision or pursue alternative routes (use variance, conditional use, or a different zoning/map strategy) and, if pursued again, would need to provide the requested traffic, grading and utility materials and address staff concerns about compatibility with the Event Center area.","The commission denied a proposal to create a planned development district and preliminary plan for a Wawa convenience store with fuel sales at 3445 Union Road (former CVS). Staff recommended denial citing minimum PD acreage, potential spot‑zoning, and the land‑use guidance for the East End Renaissance area.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6329205,"Planning commission votes to advise denial of council proposal to remove school board seat",1009,1687000,2696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267&start=1687&end=2696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267/thumbnail_1687000.jpg","/articles/6329205/Ohio/Planning-commission-votes-to-advise-denial-of-council-proposal-to-remove-school-board-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329205-d0847371e7e8bab72d5464b6c71883fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154441&Signature=EckwzWA1bOYtPgP6WIzSX9GqKcotDUR78wwjU4r9O4cI2d-jckv4G3ddn1dOeUoVd-eC91jLwvKDKWTLrBSDqgaD0GZCQTH-4cFdA8tZrmenB5heCd0xsEHhxMueGcihMhRfW9-Q2JnYKWiLzSBcvl9Xtw3WrACF-X8AXAOUOxgP22lcRw5J5xkrhegqAZcRP2pVMoZu34ES-y3BcrxyNHLnhNH1RMawsLjEUzPnQuMvaDVQ90Ka2rQxbxLDAQioZEaPsQr-J9TYPUUO24mA11O0Z9ISILvBP5zcBc6Yhv7GEPyO06lhoNRK6c8k6glXxe5-3xXf3yI1zVhpNjNBCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of a proposed text amendment that would let city council appoint all seven planning commission members and remove the school board’s voting seat.

The amendment, submitted by city council, would change language in the city code (chapter 12.26.01) to remove the voting member currently appointed by the Middletown Board of Education and make the seventh seat a council appointment. City staff presented the proposed language and a scanned set of supporting attachments, and advised the commission the referral is advisory: the planning commission’s role is to recommend approval, denial or approval with addenda back to city council.

The public hearing drew sustained comment from school and business leaders and long‑time residents. Chris Urso, identified in the record as president of the Middletown Board of Education, said the presence of a school board member on the planning commission “ensures that we remain informed and engaged in decisions that affect not only city planning, but also the fiscal, physical, and human resource decisions within our schools.” Rick Pierce, Chamber of Commerce executive, told commissioners the removal risks “reduced advocacy for educational interest” and could send a negative message to taxpayers and businesses. Multiple residents who previously served on the planning commission urged commissioners to retain the seat as a long‑standing cross‑institutional practice dating to 1959.

Council representative Mr. Horn (presenting the request from council) said the change implements a comprehensive agreement and that the council seeks a consistent appointment process; he told the commission that the council sent the amendment with time to deliberate and expects the commission’s recommendation to return to council for a public hearing and subsequent legislative readings.

Commissioners debated the amendment in light of the planning review criteria. Several commissioners said they did not see changes to chapter criteria or public‑interest justification that would support the removal. One commissioner noted the commission is advisory and that council will hold additional hearings. After deliberation the commission took a motion to deny the text amendment and recorded votes: AJ Mento — yes to deny; David Cash — yes to deny; Gabriel Shonlin — no to deny (i.e., voted to approve); Roger Daniel — yes to deny; Will Parsons — yes to deny; Miss Ramsey — yes to deny. The motion to deny carried on a 5–1 vote; one seat (Nancy Griffith) was absent.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to city council for its public hearing and final action. Commissioners and public speakers urged that the council hearing include the community testimony presented at the planning commission meeting.","After extensive public comment and testimony from school and business leaders, the Middletown Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of a city council text amendment proposal that would remove the school board’s appointed voting member from the planning commission and transfer appointment authority to city council.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6329206,"Planning commission approves Sheetz final development plan at Renaissance Point corner",1146,514000,1660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267&start=514&end=1660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316428-74f2182222023c43d6903f1448420267/thumbnail_514000.jpg","/articles/6329206/Ohio/Planning-commission-approves-Sheetz-final-development-plan-at-Renaissance-Point-corner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329206-4f9266cf2a08778d4457e8519d261c63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154441&Signature=exB4sHi4cEQDJJiKnpNp0bcd1ZqyjkQy259vm57Vta8oUaH6vfanGUYN-VZLqhQOc6-nd4ZI0t--ZeFtzFADlOf7DPgxiqH~Tcy7TaiKfwU7WpwX8s-NqgmGNuayWmG5ATYFuH~28a~J3yfrJ8bygscWm~zaE0WA5nO7njI6ckbukYCyCnp31nxdJLkg-8nlB8CZfRhKcCkOEMEn9cb0ceCWrgmKYk5vBICM0mjWNNdF-aSarNNj4p6AmG0iMoLgHDBBDPQVeCSFNVSMx8w3wzo3oJg~tvSJgSfgoM9iaGAGPqYXlADpEXXeEyqyqCwiisk3~W2bcoY~xQcEIXmbPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middletown City Planning Commission on an affirmative vote approved a final development plan to construct a Sheetz convenience store and fuel station at the northwest corner of State Route 122 and Union Road in Lot 1 of the Renaissance Point development.

The plan covers roughly 1.98 acres and calls for a 6,139‑square‑foot convenience store, a single‑lane drive‑through window, and six double‑sided fuel dispensers (12 fueling positions). The proposal includes 40 parking spaces (two ADA), roughly 3,374 square feet of landscaped area, counts of proposed plantings, and two double‑sided monument signs totaling 51.69 square feet each. Staff advised that a detailed lighting plan and final grading plan must be submitted during permitting.

City planning staff told the commission the site sits within the previously approved Renaissance Point preliminary development plan and in the BCHP zoning that the council adopted in April 2023. Staff recommended approval of the final development plan based on compliance with the preliminary plan and the final development review criteria. Vanessa Stickel, representing Skilken Gold on behalf of Sheetz, described the store’s made‑to‑order food service, 24/7 operation and community involvement and said the applicant will comply with staff comments.

Commission members asked about architectural standards and variances; staff said the final development plan process exempts the project from separate architectural review per the recent text amendment and that no variances are being requested. No members of the public spoke against the plan during the public hearing.

After brief commission discussion a motion to approve the final development plan passed. The commission recorded affirmative votes from AJ Mento, David Cash, Gabriel Shonlin, Roger Daniel, Will Parsons and Miss Ramsey; Nancy Griffith was not present for the vote.

The applicant must supply the detailed lighting and grading plans and comply with staff and public works clarifications during permitting. Other permit conditions include finalization of monument sign materials in coordination with the Renaissance Point overall signage aesthetic.

The commission’s approval allows the applicant to move to the permitting stage and, where required, to city council for any additional approvals tied to the final permit packages.","The Middletown City Planning Commission approved a final development plan to build a 6,139-square-foot Sheetz convenience store with 12 fueling positions and a single-lane drive‑thru on a 1.98‑acre lot at the northwest corner of State Route 122 and Union Road in the Renaissance Point preliminary development area.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Planning commission actions — officer elections, ARB appointment, minutes and decisions on development cases

Commission continues Key There Society conditional‑use request for downtown childcare and support services

Commission denies Wawa map amendment and preliminary development plan for former CVS site

Planning commission votes to advise denial of council proposal to remove school board seat

Planning commission approves Sheetz final development plan at Renaissance Point corner