[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6174250,"mediaKeyId","5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa","parentId",5371117,"title","Findlay panel approves Hope Barn wedding venue with conservation and traffic conditions","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5356000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa&start=5356&end=5356","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa/thumbnail_5356000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174250/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Findlay-panel-approves-Hope-Barn-wedding-venue-with-conservation-and-traffic-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174250-a95a2484f31bc3466592d571ba06fe63/orig.mp4?Expires=1770806059&Signature=ddKRXBzEuOuNMrGewlONh7~eYwLET-9bOmS0yLItFC46jtmCbxA9MD4AY1uUt7fwU5XKvbXpQxQ21d8ZBrOux4Sk8~hg~x5FspsNgZG95p5U7XYPh5GI2sjYgkAqy-vqBOqC-jLLG7H~aR-4uz0RCOGM1R1qwC09OtAJmtu3iYl0HwbG3v~I~AmaqjvwSqB7mG4As5g7Zjq84OWzBbAixLt8ZaVZPE73SusJFElTKJd1scGeXuZ5A4fV-Zb3MM58RlzGP-RwlQXU95UUHSlMguerWcfK0fttMm~l6m-eTFUj3jmqIKh0vQy3CJV7nlnbavLftfhzgrIpmm7ac6JMEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Findlay, OH ","date","2025-07-12T04:13:00.373Z","article","The City of Findlay Planning Commission on July 10 approved a site plan and a related conditional-use permit to convert an existing house and barn at 14120 State Route 568 into \"Hope Barn Venue,\" a wedding and event facility, subject to multiple conditions intended to protect the nearby river corridor and address traffic and stormwater concerns.

Why it matters: The site is in the C-2 General Commercial district but sits adjacent to wooded river frontage and a regional trail; residents and neighbors urged protections for wildlife, tree cover and stormwater detention and asked the applicant to commit to buffers to preserve the river corridor.

Staff and engineering: Planning staff recommended approval of the site plan, conditioned on coordination with the city engineer and Heritage/Regional Planning Commission (HRPC) on parking and paving. Engineering advised the proposal will use the existing access from State Route 568, will use existing water and sanitary services, and proposed a new wet retention pond in the northwest corner sized to avoid increasing fill in the floodplain. The engineer’s review will ensure new impervious areas are accounted for and the pond meets stormwater requirements.

Applicant presentation: Owner/applicant Matt Douglas said the operation would keep ceremony and reception activities inside the existing barn and a new 5,400-square-foot building connected to the barn. \"We're trying to keep everything kinda confined in between these two buildings,\" Douglas said. He said the house on-site will be part of the venue (for preparations) not a separate rental, and that the pond excavation will provide fill to raise finished floors of the structures above the flood elevation.

Resident concerns: Multiple neighbors testified about wildlife, hawk nesting, kayaker access, and periodic flooding on the low-lying field behind the property. One neighbor said the low area is effectively a swamp and urged careful engineering review. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the distance between the venue and many back-yard properties and the existing tree buffer, but residents asked specifically for conservation protections on riverfront trees and for assurance that additional paving would not increase neighborhood flooding.

Conditions the commission attached: The commission’s approval of the site plan and the conditional use included these requirements: (1) work with engineering and HRPC to finalize parking locations and surfacing (paved parking required for code-required stalls, with engineered overflow/stone parking acceptable where approved); (2) remove the western curb cut on State Route 568 so the site has a single main entrance/exit to improve flow and reduce conflict points; (3) add signage and lighting at the entrance to warn and protect Greenway Trail users; (4) require an executed conservation easement or equivalent instrument to preserve a buffer of mature trees along the river (to be finalized with HRPC/legal as part of the conditional-use approval); and (5) require indoor-only amplified music or otherwise comply with the city’s noise regulations and any other conditions enforced through the conditional-use permit.

Discussion versus decision: Commissioners stressed that many technical details — final parking layout, stormwater calculations, and the exact width of any conservation buffer — would be resolved between the applicant, city engineering and HRPC prior to permit issuance. The conditional-use approval carries enforcement mechanisms should operations later create noise or nuisance problems.

Ending: With the conditions in place, the commission voted to approve the site plan and the conditional use. Staff will verify engineering, parking and conservation-easement details before building permits and certificates of occupancy are issued.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Findlay City Planning Commission 7/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","Planning commissioners approved a site plan and conditional use for Hope Barn Venue at 14120 State Route 568, adding conditions to protect the river edge, limit curb cuts, and require engineering review of parking and stormwater; neighbors raised concerns about noise, wildlife and drainage.","taxTitle","Findlay City, Hancock County , Ohio","taxId",52832,"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},6174255,"Commission approves youth-center conditional use at former Family Resource Center on North Main",367,4965000,5332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa&start=4965&end=5332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa/thumbnail_4965000.jpg","/articles/6174255/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Commission-approves-youth-center-conditional-use-at-former-Family-Resource-Center-on-North-Main","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174255-751ea422d655a55a3c7c4e39a4ead4f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770806059&Signature=gSfk4nuyy48WTlAciqSAm61V9l3odFkeV0iPOgGl2IugnZETDnDyhm2MzVqrJ~xZ1r7Tdir8JOv2nILFhZmSs5NxSyc2xjn2AnlMdpa74cnRPPM~fB~j0tdMw37H~3yg2v-bpgZr1j~0Z40XnBFVr1CMIZZeosy-959IQCNE-hi9uooH0fX-37aO6XLm8PVVSKdykWRsZrUGzt93mn-bgi4GZLr3xVaxgHAZAhWsgUTWY5puIHP4l2so7YQgu0F~Jf0XsUvyTLXCTTtzY8MTViGROw0ymqs9mb4RDEiZQWTONa4vC6W6KcJFkUWL4J8B75RX6GY2RUNsYEsGah7D0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Findlay Planning Commission on July 10 approved a conditional-use permit to convert 1908 North Main Street (the former Family Resource Center building) into a youth center operated by Focus Recovery and Wellness Community.

The applicant plans to renovate approximately 2,200 square feet on the first floor and the basement for program spaces, including a commercial kitchen, meeting space, arts-and-crafts room, youth lounges and a sensory room. Staff characterized the proposed use as similar to a community center and recommended approval without additional conditions after confirming parking and code considerations.

The applicant said programs will serve youth roughly 10–17 years old, operate with staff-to-youth ratios of 1:8, and not include sleeping quarters. Operators said typical weekday hours would be roughly noon to 8 p.m.; weekend programming would be arranged to meet funding and program requirements. The applicant said they would limit program enrollment so they would not exceed their internal cap (they currently plan not to exceed 24 youth on site at a time, despite the building’s higher theoretical occupant load based on square footage).

Engineering and fire prevention will require standard building permits and certificate-of-occupancy checks for the planned interior renovations. Commissioners noted the property has existing parking and that staff felt the proposal met the intent of the zoning code; the conditional use permit allows enforcement action if operations later create nuisances or code violations.

Ending: The commission approved the conditional-use permit; staff will process building permits and code compliance steps ahead of occupancy.","The Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit allowing Focus Recovery and Wellness Community to convert 1908 North Main Street into a youth center serving ages roughly 10–17, subject to standard permitting and occupancy review.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6174261,"Planning commission OKs east–west right-of-way vacation amid resident flooding concerns",334,3777000,4111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa&start=3777&end=4111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa/thumbnail_3777000.jpg","/articles/6174261/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Planning-commission-OKs-eastwest-right-of-way-vacation-amid-resident-flooding-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174261-4aeca21e8c6e52c219daf89be72654b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770806059&Signature=VkDyIFNkPlUi-89PGUPcpzG12zgyz1Mko9F2PDObTyiA3gzUq95K3bnAfjodoXuveZKkiSbgYjYNPCcWJVCW0zKA3lP9n5U-A-PBwtFqsiZTgA~d4lJvY9L5rDMxnSnHoB2lC3BnTyK9vXWHufDSE7sgM5bzNTPUdY1weDbiO7~6DP-sn~jA8T4XFXcDHMdqXOXuEXdQsRHeI0EsPbbqgKZDMf-gX9mjKLwEqf8EAnl4vdKoVqLo5v7VxFY3J-lqf8dO9fcV~lNo3O-9q5k98eDp31ruOZA0Tv9-VQjP75DnBFtD4b2Re~jkxmzw~yQgL3Yd2-A-S~bSje-2ZxeJqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Findlay Planning Commission on July 10 voted to recommend vacating an east–west public right-of-way between the west end of Westgate Drive and the end of Spruce Drive so the owner (Romana Rentals Limited) can consolidate three parcels for future development. Staff recommended the vacation after reviewing background material, but residents raised concerns about flood detention, erosion and long-term maintenance of the low area.

Why it matters: The right-of-way sits in a low area historically used for stormwater detention for the Tiffin Avenue neighborhood; residents said it functions as a drainage feature and warned that development or filling of the area could worsen localized flooding.

Staff and applicant presentation: Planning staff described the right-of-way as roughly 60 feet wide and 141 feet long; the parcel sits near the Findlay corporate boundary and is low-lying. The applicant’s intention is to combine three adjacent parcels and to use the southern parcel for a building lot, contingent on addressing drainage and engineering requirements. Staff noted engineering had no comment in the packet but flagged that the area appears to provide detention for nearby development.

Resident concerns: Neighbors who live adjacent to the area told the commission they mow and maintain the space and reported periodic flooding and backyard erosion during heavy rains. \"If we were to take away any of that retention pond, it would exasperate the flooding back there,\" one resident said, and asked for a meeting with the city engineer. Another resident said a prior home built nearby experienced basement flooding and urged caution; others noted the parcel’s history as detention for the subdivision.

Decision and safeguards: The commission recommended the vacation, noting the need to preserve existing detention capacity and to ensure any future development does not reduce stormwater storage or negatively affect adjacent properties. Commissioners and staff said utility easements and maintenance obligations would be clarified as part of the vacation and any future permit review.

Next steps: The recommendation will move to Planning & Zoning and then City Council; city engineering will review any future development plans and the applicant must show that detention capacity is maintained or replaced before building permits would be issued.

Ending: The commission approved the street/alley vacation but directed staff and the applicant to coordinate with the city engineer and to address neighborhood drainage and maintenance concerns before any permit for development is granted.","The commission recommended vacating an east–west right-of-way between Westgate Drive and Spruce Drive to allow a property owner to consolidate lots, but residents urged careful review of detention and drainage before development.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6174266,"Findlay panel approves multiple annexation zoning requests; commission and staff flag follow-up for adjacent parcels",767,2496000,3263000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa&start=2496&end=3263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa/thumbnail_2496000.jpg","/articles/6174266/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Findlay-panel-approves-multiple-annexation-zoning-requests-commission-and-staff-flag-follow-up-for-adjacent-parcels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174266-cc02269424d10dceb3007555ce93eadd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770806059&Signature=To2isdjieXeMdlVI91DUBfiPbJH1fNnDGhYRn0VJT8WsuSAAkpWvbv3oqGXDmBtcJYTLu2eFhLVl6PQsit3DLB9Sh-4XYDfgLDLRMEwHWgyn7x7OF4sE8woSnGc5XQ17V52PcJd7KbXnTRwk3bPgxKUrjOM6bvRB-X0j99w7JM2NFvQSRGO47~ExMHZIa81~aMYzT4ndnoYas0iDvTbD4QWGbrKZaBkXHax3o~iVC-R6kQeGhGS54DbiqrX0basYXqQebGlaR2azK4qe3KeIlnsaAQeRyxfo-lbn~fJzpyUKrf6lfLzi~h~mN1TK2I0bJx9tEZy-gjcPK6y1qw3KIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Findlay Planning Commission on July 10 voted to recommend approval of several initial-zoning requests tied to pending annexations, including three CD (condominium) zoning petitions and one M-2 (multifamily high density) request. The commission’s actions will be forwarded to Planning & Zoning and then to City Council for final readings.

Why it matters: The approvals set zoning for parcels that are currently in adjacent townships or are otherwise surrounded by the city; rezoning at annexation determines permitted uses and the review path for future site plans.

Items approved: (1) ZA-03-2025 — Keller Cypher Enterprises LLC: establish CD condominium zoning for Parcel 020001032373 (47-building, 94-unit condominium development). Staff recommended approval but noted four parcels along State Route 99 included in the annexation needed separate zoning to avoid leaving them unzoned on annexation. The applicant and staff discussed postponing zoning for the adjacent four parcels to allow proper notice and analysis; the commission approved the main parcel’s zoning.

(2) ZA-04-2025 — Northtown Condominium Villas: initial CD condominium zoning for Parcel 270001018031. Staff said the parcel has functioned as a condominium association for 25 years and recommended approval; the commission approved the request.

(3) ZA-05-2025 — Greenbrier Holdings, LTD and Moore Rentals: establish M-2 multifamily high density for 2800 South Main Street and an adjacent parcel (270000051430) upon annexation. Staff recommended approval, noting the parcels are already used for multifamily apartments and that city services would benefit response times.

(4) ZA-06-2025 — Hancock County Board (ADDMH): rezone 2449 and 2453 Grace Boulevard from R-3 small-lot residential to M-2 multifamily high density. The applicant said the rezoning was requested so the two duplex buildings could be treated as one property for building-code purposes (a connecting deck) without changing the use. Staff recommended approval; commissioners approved the recommendation.

Discussion versus decision: On the Keller Cypher parcel, planning staff and the applicant discussed notification and whether the four smaller parcels along 99 should have zoning assigned at annexation; staff advised those parcels should be zoned at annexation to avoid leaving them unzoned. On Greenbrier and Northtown, staff cited public-safety reasons (access to city fire and EMS) in favor of annexation and zoning.

Next steps: These recommendations will be heard by the city’s Planning & Zoning division and then by City Council (three readings) for final action. Staff noted some site plans (for the Keller Cypher project) retain active extensions and will return to planning review as part of the annexation and permitting process.

Ending: The commission recorded the approvals as recommendations to be forwarded to the city’s next decision-making steps, while urging applicants and staff to resolve accessory-parcel zoning and site-access conditions before final annexation.","The Planning Commission recommended approval of four initial-zoning requests tied to annexations (three condominium districts and one multifamily rezoning). Staff and applicants flagged additional parcels and access concerns to be resolved before final city action.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6174271,"Findlay planning panel approves 6-pump gas station at West Main Cross with safety conditions",1716,749000,2465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa&start=749&end=2465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371117-6076250fc037ef72d4413bb67714a8aa/thumbnail_749000.jpg","/articles/6174271/Findlay-City/Hancock-County/Ohio/Findlay-planning-panel-approves-6-pump-gas-station-at-West-Main-Cross-with-safety-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174271-952e52805fe76ae78f29d045ae5e2edd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770806059&Signature=mN1M3DTrmyAIysh8Ll6xjMn8fp3ITliuGThMFiaHDp-P1qMkirNqJmFlbGPCmP4~EwmBUpwRrr53WxcW0yXSY0AXSLm2rNM-q3E5QpLFb3feR66KmmrqE4QHgpcQZrfha8HPsWFzcYv39udoUyhaVxwSSDmTQAZSGJg~AW4JUbA9RZp~beZ-Hd18fH7KE65rRAtcnqrrg7wXvofdz3NYdGrsDHg~98lsqxE449U0h1k9wa-WONWkbbzqxYGybbkybd1oXej929bTTBqPolNFqXZacnoM9wBpMPgXK4a7yjfiQ~pKCmnWv5uwzc-c~N4RctunxGs4BrfePtCXJ4C0nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Findlay Planning Commission on July 10 approved a site plan to convert an abandoned car wash at 1100 West Main Cross Street into a six-pump gas station and convenience store, with conditions intended to address truck access and neighborhood impacts. The commission approved the proposal 3–1.

Commission staff told the panel the 0.603-acre parcel is zoned C-2 General Commercial and lies at the edge of a residential R-3 neighborhood. Staff recommended denial after reviewing revised truck turning drawings that showed delivery vehicles would need to swing into opposing traffic to maneuver on the site. \"From the truck turning movement drawing, it seems the site is restricting a lot of movements from the delivery trucks, and they would need to swing into opposing traffic to enter the site,\" a staff member said during the hearing.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the site is tight for fueling and delivery operations and that unsafe truck turns could create hazards on West Main Cross near Glessner Avenue. Several commissioners pressed for physical measures rather than striping alone to prevent left turns and reduce conflict points.

The applicant, Richard Drake of Drake Architecture, said the fuel deliveries will use a smaller tanker — \"only 28 feet long\" — not the 60-foot truck previously modeled, and that deliveries would be scheduled for off hours. \"This vehicle is only about 10 feet longer than, you know, a standard large SUV. So it can easily go around this site,\" Drake said when presenting a revised turning plan.

Key conditions adopted by the commission require: (1) a six-foot masonry wall along the east property line (to match building materials and to screen nearby houses); (2) the applicant to work with the city engineer to demonstrate the tanker can safely maneuver around the site without driving over parking stalls or blocking dispensers; and (3) a right-out-only restriction at the driveway enforced by a physical barrier (not just striping). Commissioners also asked for the pavement/striping layout for internal circulation and for the applicant to coordinate signage and a possible concrete island.

The commission vote was recorded as: Mayor Miriam, Aye; Mr. Martin, Aye; Mr. Tremblay, Aye; Mr. Klinger, Nay.

Discussion versus decision: Commissioners repeatedly said their approval was conditional and dependent on engineering confirmation that delivery trucks could traverse the site safely. Several members said they would require physical controls (curb or island) rather than relying solely on pavement striping. Staff retained the authority to work with the applicant and the city engineer to finalize the on-site truck-turning design.

Project details and clarifications provided at the meeting: the proposed convenience store footprint is 2,535 square feet; the site plan shows seven parking spaces (one ADA); the masonry screen wall would be roughly 100 feet long and built to match the store materials; applicant expects 3,000-gallon tanker deliveries (applicant said he \"would assume so\" when asked); and the applicant removed a proposed drive-through from this application.

Next steps: The applicant will coordinate with the city engineer on internal truck-turning drawings and on the design of the right-out physical barrier and will return documentation to staff as required.

Ending: The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed subject to the conditions the panel adopted and the city engineer’s acceptance of on-site truck circulation.","The City of Findlay Planning Commission approved a site plan for a six-pump gas station at 1100 West Main Cross Street after tense debate over truck access and public safety. Approval was conditional on a six-foot masonry wall, engineering review of on-site truck maneuvering, and a right-out-only exit with a physical barrier.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Findlay panel approves Hope Barn wedding venue with conservation and traffic conditions

Commission approves youth-center conditional use at former Family Resource Center on North Main

Planning commission OKs east–west right-of-way vacation amid resident flooding concerns

Findlay panel approves multiple annexation zoning requests; commission and staff flag follow-up for adjacent parcels

Findlay planning panel approves 6-pump gas station at West Main Cross with safety conditions