Findlay planning panel recommends rezoning for 401 North Main to downtown commercial

The Findlay City Council Planning & Zoning Committee voted to recommend approval of a city-initiated zoning amendment to rezone 401 North Main Street (Parcel 590001010264) from C-2 General Commercial to C-3 Downtown Commercial.

Staff said the property sits on the east side of North Main north of Cherry Street and adjacent to railroad tracks. A planning staff presentation said the site currently sits in a small pocket of C-2 General Commercial but is contiguous with downtown C-3 zoning; the Findlay land-use plan lists the parcel as neighborhood commercial. Staff recommended approval, saying the building is pedestrian-focused and too small to meet C-2 setback and parking standards if redeveloped. A staff representative said the rezoning "would make it more attractive for redevelopment without having to tear down the existing structure."

The committee discussed alternatives, including whether C-1 or C-2 would be more appropriate. Councilman Grant Russell asked whether C-1 was considered; staff responded it was, but noted C-1 has substantial required setbacks. Multiple committee members said the building "looks and acts like a downtown building," and that C-3 zoning better matches the site's form and likely future uses. Committee members also clarified that a narrow strip of parking immediately north of the parcel is city-owned and cannot be combined into a single parcel in the auditor's system because it lies in a different subdivision.

Councilman Dan Diarmuid made the motion to recommend approval of zoning amendment ZA-08-2025; Councilman Grant Russell seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried with members responding "aye." The committee's recommendation will go to city council as part of the formal rezoning process.

Why it matters: rezoning to C-3 reduces setback and parking requirements tied to downtown development patterns, which staff said could lower regulatory barriers for future buyers and make reuse of the existing building more feasible.

Details and next steps: staff noted that because the parking strip is in a different subdivision it cannot be merged in the auditor's system, though it may be used in practice by the adjacent building. The formal rezoning ordinance and accompanying parcel descriptions will be forwarded to city council for final action.

Speakers quoted are identified from the meeting record and include committee members and planning staff.