Commission recommends local historic overlay for 416 West Wooster to protect structure

The Bowling Green Planning Commission voted 7‑0 to recommend that City Council designate 416 West Wooster Street (0.307 acres, parcel B08‑510‑2404110380000) as a local historic property and add the Historic Overlay Zone (HOZ).

Heather, Planning Department staff, told commissioners the property’s base zoning is now R‑2 medium‑density residential following a rezoning approved in March, and that adding the historic overlay would require a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission for major exterior renovations or demolition. She said the owner submitted a parcel legal description and the required property inventory and owner consent forms.

Commission members recalled that the commission and Historic Preservation Commission had previously reviewed the property during the rezoning process and that recommending the HOZ now follows earlier guidance. Commissioner Boddy said it "sounds like she's just trying to do what we asked her to do when the subject first came up a few months ago." The commission chair moved to recommend Council approve the HOZ; a commissioner seconded and the roll call vote was unanimous.

Heather noted the property is contiguous to the North Maple historic district and that the parcel behind it is currently part of the same parcel but the applicant intends to split the front portion. City Council must hold any required public hearing and take final action; the commission’s recommendation and the Historic Preservation Commission memo and inventory form will be part of that council packet.