Zoning board approves variances for 7‑Eleven and Kwik Trip; planning staff reports increased housing starts

The Bowling Green Zoning Board of Appeals approved multiple variances this month, including a package of sign, lighting and coverage variances for a proposed 7‑Eleven at 1650 E. Wooster Street and canopy/placement variances for a Kwik Trip travel center; a separate front‑yard parking‑pad variance for a residential address passed 3–2.

Julie, reporting on behalf of the zoning board, said Nicholas Bolas requested a variance to allow a 25‑by‑35‑foot parking pad in a front yard where the code normally permits parking pads only in side or rear yards. The board approved that variance on a 3–2 vote. Julie also reported that 7‑Eleven (applicant listed as Speedway in the packet) requested multiple variances to exceed the 60% maximum lot coverage in the Interstate Commerce (IC) district, request higher canopy lighting levels (proposed maximum 43 foot‑candles with average levels reported in packet), allow more wall and canopy signs than typically permitted, and to exceed the total 336‑square‑foot signage maximum for the IC district; the board approved those sign, lighting and coverage variances unanimously, 5–0.

Julie said Kwik Trip requested variances for tall fuel canopies—proposed at 25 feet, 6 inches, exceeding the 18‑foot height limit—and to locate a travel center farther back from the front property lines than the 60‑foot maximum; those Kwik Trip variances were approved 5–0.

In the Planning Department report Heather said year‑to‑date building permits total 208 compared with 215 at the same point last year, but single‑family housing starts have more than doubled: 37 single‑unit permits this year versus 19 at this time last year. Staff issued recent permits for a new Town & Country Animal Health Care at 811 S. Dunbridge Road and a small addition and alteration for St. Aloysius Church at 150 S. Enterprise Street. Heather said the Bowling Green High School new‑construction permit is close to issuance and that the Bowling Green Senior Living project (66 units on S. Main Street) is awaiting revised plans.

Heather also updated the commission on the South Main Street improvement project, noting the corridor work will add more than 80 trees, a shared‑use path, and two additional pedestrian crossings with hybrid beacons. She described the improvements as implementing elements of the city's community action plan and future land‑use plan and said the department will ask for a planning commission volunteer to serve on a steering committee to help review updated subdivision regulations.

Actions and votes summarized: • Zoning Board: Nicholas Bolas parking‑pad variance — approved 3–2. • Zoning Board: 7‑Eleven (Speedway) variances (lot coverage, lighting, multiple signs exceeding IC district allowances, total signage area) — approved 5–0. • Zoning Board: Kwik Trip travel center and canopy variances (height and front setback) — approved 5–0.

Staff follow‑ups include finalizing permits once outstanding guarantees and revised plans are submitted (Heather noted Kwik Trip’s right‑of‑way financial guarantee and other applicants’ revised plans are pending) and continuing work on subdivision regulations and access management guidelines.