Planning Commission recommends two annexations, assigns IE interim zoning, extends preliminary plan and approves projects list

At its April 2 meeting the City of Bowling Green Planning Commission recommended annexation to city council for two parcels on Newton Road and assigned interim Innovation & Employment (IE) zoning to both parcels. The commission also approved a one-year extension for the preliminary plan for Cogan’s Crossing (plats 10–14) and approved a city list of planned public construction projects; all actions passed unanimously by 6-0 votes.

The first annexation petition covered about 46.172 acres located at 12698 Newton Road (parcel number as read in the meeting). The second parcel adjoins the first and covers about 11.29 acres; the second parcel was described at the meeting as landlocked with no road frontage. Planning staff said the Wood County Commissioners had passed required resolutions and that the annexation petitions had been received by the city for review. The commission’s action was a recommendation to city council; a public hearing before city council was not required at this stage.

Planning staff noted the petitioner for the annexations is Robert Mower (agent). Commissioners asked whether the intended future use was specified; staff said the petition paperwork did not include a stated intended use and that staff could follow up if commissioners wanted more detail.

For the larger parcel staff recommended interim zoning that matches the parcel’s neighbors. Staff said the petitioner requested Innovation & Employment zoning (IE). “It is currently zoned as agricultural … the petitioner is requesting IE, which is Innovation and Employment zoning,” Chase, planning department staff, said. The commission voted to recommend IE interim zoning for both parcels to city council, 6-0.

The commission also approved a one-year extension for the preliminary plan for Cogan’s Crossing (plats 10–14). Chase told the commission the preliminary plan had originally been approved April 3, 2024, and that Section 151.13 of the subdivision regulations governs extensions; commissioners voted to grant another year to allow construction to continue, 6-0.

Finally, the commission voted to approve the compiled list of planned public construction projects — covering water, sewer, wastewater collection, roadways and shared-use paths — as presented in the meeting packet. Commissioners recorded unanimous votes on each item.

All votes recorded Yes from Miss Broadwell, Mark Macomber, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Remus, Mr. Stalter and Mr. Baty. The commission’s actions on annexation are recommendations to the City Council and require council action to take effect.