Findlay committee advances draft limits on donation bins, moves to make gas stations and small-box retailers conditional uses

The Findlay City Planning & Zoning Committee reviewed draft zoning changes May 8 that would restrict donation collection bins, require annual permits and fees, and add tighter review for several commercial uses including fueling stations, oil-change facilities, small-box retailers and self-storage facilities.

The committee’s proposal would limit donation bins to a maximum size of 6 feet wide by 6 feet deep by 6 feet tall, allow them only in C-2 or I-1 zoning districts (with a written exemption for certain nonprofit or religious organizations on property they own), and require a site host to share responsibility for compliance, staff planner Matt Cardone said. "The site host of the property upon which the donation bin is located shall share joint responsibility for compliance with all conditions set forth in this chapter with the entity which owns or is in custody of the donation bin," Cardone said.

The changes stem from repeated complaints about unattended or deteriorating bins, particularly along commercial corridors such as Tiffin Avenue, and from the committee’s inventory of existing bins. Cardone said he reviewed ordinances from 11 other municipalities and recommended a uniform 6-by-6-by-6 size limit. "I opted for the size restriction of 6 feet wide, 6 feet deep, and 6 feet tall," he said.

Why it matters: committee members said unrestricted or poorly maintained donation bins create visual blight, raise maintenance and nuisance complaints, and shift enforcement burdens to city staff. The draft seeks to reduce roadside placement and push bins away from primary street frontages while preserving access for bona fide nonprofit collections.

Key provisions and debate - Sizing and zoning: Cardone proposed the 6x6x6 size limit and that bins be permitted only in C-2 (general commercial) or I-1 (light industrial) districts. He told the committee that roughly three-quarters of the city’s existing bins are located in C-2 zones and that the C-2/I-1 restriction would capture most current locations. - Nonprofit exemption: The draft includes an exemption for donation bins owned and used exclusively by religious or charitable organizations on property they own, provided the property’s zoning already allows that use. Committee members discussed whether exempt nonprofits should still be required to meet maintenance, siting and permitting requirements; Cardone said he would preserve maintenance and site-control standards even for exempt nonprofits. - Site-host responsibility and enforcement: The draft places joint responsibility on the site host (property owner) and the bin owner for compliance. Committee members debated enforcement mechanics: mailing certified notices to property owners, pursuing civil enforcement through court if owners do not respond, or allowing the city to remove and store or dispose of bins at the owner’s expense. Cardone said many municipalities authorize removal and temporary storage; the committee asked him to consult the law director on whether the city can remove and scrap unclaimed bins or should rely on civil process. - Permits, fees and limits: Members discussed an annual permit tied to inventory and compliance. Cardone reported most peer cities require yearly permits; proposed fees discussed ranged from $50 up to $200, with several members expressing support for a $100 annual fee to cover staff time for inventorying, outreach and enforcement. The committee also discussed whether to cap the number of permitted bins citywide (Ashtabula, Ohio, limits permits to five); some members suggested a soft cap of about 10 in Findlay but also said the permitting and location restrictions alone would likely reduce the number in practice. - Other clarifications: The draft would exclude newspaper- or paper-recycling-only containers from the chapter after members raised concerns that a broad rule could inadvertently prohibit community recycling drives. Cardone said he would remove the broader exemption language and address private recycling drop-offs separately if problems arise.

Zoning review for commercial uses - Conditional-use reclassification: The committee signaled support for adding fueling stations, oil-change facilities, small-box retail (for example, dollar stores) and self-storage in I-1 to the conditional-use category in C-2/I-1. As conditional uses, each proposal would come before the planning commission for a site- and conditions-based review rather than be allowed 'as of right.' Cardone said the change is aimed at giving planning commission an opportunity to address hours, screening, lighting and other site controls. - Funeral services and crematoriums: Funeral services remain a conditional use. Committee members discussed crematorium technology and state rules but did not change the classification at this meeting. - Site design issues: Committee members also raised lighting and detention-pond maintenance as recurring site concerns. Cardone said staff requires photometric plans and typically enforces a 0.1 foot-candle maximum at property lines; he also recommended routing questions about detention ponds and long-term maintenance to the city engineer (Jeremy Kalb).

Next steps and staff directions The committee asked Cardone to revise the chapter language, remove unclear exemption wording, and confer with the law director (Rob) about the city’s legal authority to remove and store unclaimed bins. Cardone was also asked to consult Eric’s office about enforcement workload and an appropriate permit fee, to finalize definitions needed for the chapter, and to circulate a revised draft. Cardone said he will return a near-final draft to the committee in June for further consideration and formal action.

Ending The committee did not adopt the ordinance at the May 8 meeting; members expressed general support for forwarding the revised draft for legal review and then bringing a consolidated packet — donation-bin rules and the proposed conditional-use additions — back to the committee at the June meeting for final consideration.