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.