[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6212502,"mediaKeyId","3684222-ce55634b4a9facdda7ba229d9db10f41","parentId",3684222,"title","Zoning Board reports three unanimous variances including parking pad and an 8‑foot fence at community center","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2560000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684222-ce55634b4a9facdda7ba229d9db10f41&start=2560&end=2560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684222-ce55634b4a9facdda7ba229d9db10f41/thumbnail_2560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212502/Bowling-Green/Wood-County/Ohio/Zoning-Board-reports-three-unanimous-variances-including-parking-pad-and-an-8foot-fence-at-community-center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212502-2d10acfc6081460d3313f0e412e0f50b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773640154&Signature=SdBCq8sioJqBeW7vigcF~8Ee-WFOpZ2d2fBTePC8sM2iZEhWspkqH-sWoycOWKDmlOdd8~yH43fyDePRymLypMK9XQCMYsly7IkBTc-q7HVs~-dt4dj7HptVc8Dh7HhkbJ0KPhFTwh4uOj8h9AO7wuWEukGZuIXVGYyySWC~NyOjE4RXaCjIOcmiXP70omfKC0n9NiaLGh9IEiQiIHBZ6Ei4XRwGGnjQJbzZG5Y80KwNLW6vfz~952YGls0tpihgRgnm7W7cD3BOpa7FwUTZK9QGi8XSETJL8wURtQ4JkoYI23qRrcQSqNwzbIjt6vnljMO0AoROUWzF-LnoXjdDlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bowling Green, OH ","date","2025-06-05T11:53:32Z","article","At the meeting the Planning Commission heard a report from the city’s representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals describing three variances that the ZBA unanimously granted.

Julie Broadwell, the commission’s representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals (reporting), said the ZBA granted a variance to Robert James Cooley at 1521 Finch Drive for a constructed driveway extension measuring 4 feet 10 inches by 26 feet, which made the driveway 4 feet 10 inches wider than the maximum permitted width tied to the garage. The ZBA also unanimously granted a variance to Douglas Doran at 320 North Summit Street to allow a 12‑foot by 32‑foot parking pad extension already constructed (a 384‑square‑foot increase over the maximum allowed size for a parking pad); the board lectured the property owner about constructing without approvals. Finally, the ZBA unanimously granted a variance to the City of Bowling Green to permit an 8‑foot‑tall fence in a front yard/corner lot around pickleball courts at 1245 Newton Road (the fence exceeds the 4‑foot front‑yard maximum by 4 feet).

Why it matters: those variances allow the existing driveway and parking pad work to remain and enable the community center to install taller fencing around the pickleball courts for containment and safety. The ZBA’s unanimous decisions conclude the applicants’ requests at the appeals board level; any further appeal route was not discussed in the meeting.

Details: The ZBA member noted the driveway and parking pad work were already constructed; the property owners received a lecture about following permitting rules. The community center fence was not yet built when the variance request was considered. Broadwell delivered the report as the commission’s ZBA representative.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting - 6/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission received the zoning board of appeals report: three variances were unanimously granted — two site variances for residential properties and one for an 8‑foot fence around pickleball courts at the Bowling Green Community Center.","taxTitle","Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio","taxId",56284,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6212507,"Planning commission approves final plat for Tucson Springs Subdivision Plat 2",120,275000,395000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684222-ce55634b4a9facdda7ba229d9db10f41&start=275&end=395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684222-ce55634b4a9facdda7ba229d9db10f41/thumbnail_275000.jpg","/articles/6212507/Bowling-Green/Wood-County/Ohio/Planning-commission-approves-final-plat-for-Tucson-Springs-Subdivision-Plat-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212507-667efaa9c89131ec76d96a8cb4ca135e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773640154&Signature=Yy2VGUg8wli2fGn3BLYBRa18Zurzeof73UdPkotfqf4Ti3iZ-Tfly2J9uPIcPNOMQrDUDsZCGiMjscH88waDR8jtWAXol3dXpJYTRhwo81GuauNVEXUP6vYckxgwEsjCrVdDesegDjaJTB7WPyG4kLC7f-yUc9uhX5CFY2FwgUcQOZDBRLUYV4egkHGQH3ItUfAO64p1WVGOkBWvq0MkGy~J~i3ezaUzuDca2tDNLApfl5QVw6pLnLv-Te4JDdsh6-BTr3~qgDIOCPh0yMAFD2SNlBb85tGp6i4bfg2cStTsQMqT90YCDkd4Nyge-lYHDbX0eXWu6HUM15LphIhuHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bowling Green City Planning Commission unanimously approved the final plat for Tucson Springs Subdivision Plat 2, clearing the way for the developer to obtain signatures and record the plat.

Heather, a city planning staff member, told the commission the request would subdivide approximately 8.7318 acres along Bridal and Newton roads into 38 parcels, in property zoned R‑2 (medium‑density residential). The owner intends to construct single‑unit dwellings on the new lots, Heather said, and staff confirmed a required financial guarantee for remaining right‑of‑way work had been received and that the final plat conforms to the previously approved preliminary plan.

Commissioners asked no substantive questions and the commission moved to approve. Roll call votes were taken and the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Subdivision approval allows the developer to secure final signatures and record the plat, enabling eventual permitting and construction; Heather noted staff had included aerials and the final‑plat document in the packet.

Details: Subdivisions are handled solely by the planning commission under the city zoning code; once signed and recorded, the plat will permit the owner to proceed with lot‑specific permits. Heather also reported broader development activity in the city: 33 housing starts so far this year versus 15 at the same time last year.

Next steps: After signatures, the plat will be recorded with the county and building permits for homes may be sought by the property owner.","The commission unanimously approved the final plat for Tucson Springs Subdivision Plat 2, a proposed 8.73‑acre subdivision into 38 parcels in an R‑2 zone intended for single‑unit dwellings; the approval allows recording once signatures are obtained.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":79,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6212512,"Bowling Green planners weigh ordinance to limit tobacco and vape shops",2150,2545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684222-ce55634b4a9facdda7ba229d9db10f41&start=395&end=2545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684222-ce55634b4a9facdda7ba229d9db10f41/thumbnail_395000.jpg","/articles/6212512/Bowling-Green/Wood-County/Ohio/Bowling-Green-planners-weigh-ordinance-to-limit-tobacco-and-vape-shops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212512-03d3b1b3ba1e7076c933f1517207d183/orig.mp4?Expires=1773640154&Signature=ft9h1~zRLl5pbGZ2t59ff5lw37ps2PXP3A9tnxEbmNS6v0NfWHfY-Ch1LglGeycfix1iJ5RLmJ3gNk-1kEW0YKe2ULP68gEpQnogEcnMKI3FYFyJ4GrpG5rsIOBPcAKOdwC3WpspIKLOWXEihti5K20i9CUmNCUbQXWteU7TBgZs5qMJmVGHNkAS0-rcZVrnz0Hz8JWCbASmaQbXV0Fvh3rUBxYFr283hXd74r2yj9YMKClN-TaMjvxkfKN08MocjxyEHdx3LXQl79mDPeDF0hhw~hNP9Sk3prl~kY-tJ0ieA-j9habdhkr37t-VduFNQfTZ6ZmHNENshMmgMK7rFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bowling Green City Planning Commission on Tuesday reviewed a staff-drafted zoning amendment that would create a new land‑use category called “tobacco or vape store” and impose spacing, buffer, hours and window‑signage limits on those businesses.

Heather, a city planning staff member, presented the draft and said it would add “tobacco or vape store” to the city’s comprehensive use table (section 150.42) and create specific use regulations in a new Section 150.69. Heather said the draft would: require 1 mile of separation between tobacco or vape stores; prohibit such stores within 1,000 feet of schools, universities, public parks, public libraries, places of religious assembly and child day‑care centers (measured from property lines); ban on‑site smoking or lounges; prohibit outdoor display of merchandise; limit in‑window LED/neon/fiber‑optic signage to 25% of window surface and bar animated or flashing signs; and limit in‑person customer service hours to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. The draft would allow existing stores to continue as legal nonconforming uses regulated under Article 5 (nonconformities).

Why it matters: planners said outlet density is linked in research to greater youth exposure and higher tobacco use in lower‑income neighborhoods. Heather told the commission she used distance standards from other municipalities and noted the state of Ohio’s 1‑mile rule for cannabis dispensaries as a comparison.

Commissioners raised multiple points about how the rules would work in practice. Judy Ennis, commissioner, asked whether drive‑through windows would be covered; Heather said a convenience store that sells tobacco as ancillary sales would not be defined as a tobacco or vape store, and that a drive‑through carryout would likely not be captured if it is not a retail establishment dedicated to tobacco or vape sales. Commissioners noted the city packet contained inconsistent counts of retailers; Heather said staff estimated about 12 primary dedicated shops plus roughly 16 secondary sellers (about 28 total), while a packet note indicated 32. Commissioners urged staff to run spatial models showing how the draft spacing and buffer rules would affect existing and potential new locations.

No ordinance vote was taken. The commission directed staff to refine the draft for the next round of review: make the Central Business District a conditional zone for the use, add model scenarios of density limits (examples included a per‑population cap), and prepare materials for a public hearing. Commissioners generally favored holding the public hearing in August rather than July to avoid the Independence Day holiday; Chair Bob Stalter confirmed the commission would aim for an August hearing and told staff to bring back revised language and models. Heather also said the city could ask the city council to consider an extension of any moratorium if more time is needed to schedule hearings.

The discussion also covered enforcement and technical details: whether window signage rules should apply citywide, how to measure signage and lighting (property line vs. structure-to-structure), whether lumen or brightness limits might be needed to prevent circumvention, and whether a posted “no minors” sign should be required for primary shops (staff said state law requires ID to purchase and that she would check state rules about unaccompanied minors). Commissioners emphasized the need to present a model at the hearing so residents can see the practical effect of spacing, buffers and any cap on the number of stores.

Next steps: staff will revise the draft per the commission’s directions (including treating the Central Business District as a conditional zone and producing density models) and schedule a public hearing, with planners aiming for August.","The Bowling Green City Planning Commission reviewed a draft zoning amendment proposing a new “tobacco or vape store” use with spacing, buffer, hours and signage restrictions and agreed to refine the proposal and hold a public hearing in August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Zoning Board reports three unanimous variances including parking pad and an 8‑foot fence at community center

Planning commission approves final plat for Tucson Springs Subdivision Plat 2

Bowling Green planners weigh ordinance to limit tobacco and vape shops