Planning Commission approves site plan for Belts Home Services expansion with conditions

The City of Findlay Planning Commission on Feb. 13 approved site-plan review SP-02-2025 for a proposed expansion of Belts Home Services at 350 Emma Street, with conditions addressing refuse and recycling enclosures, curb-cut permits and coordination with engineering on access width.

CPC staff said the project would add a 1,692-square-foot shop to the north of the existing building and a 2,003-square-foot office addition on the east side. The property is zoned C-2 General Commercial and is surrounded by a mix of C-2 and I-1 Light Industrial zoning; the site is not in a 100-year floodplain. Staff noted the proposed elevations comply with height and architectural standards. No changes to most on-site pavement were proposed; the applicant submitted an updated striping plan that shows 62 parking spaces on site and added foundation plantings and five new trees along the north parking lot.

Staff raised two site constraints: recycling-storage units in the street-side yard setback and the dumpster enclosure location. Staff recommended approval conditioned on obtaining variances if the recycling or dumpster locations remain in required setbacks; the applicant said they were working with AEP and easement language to locate the containers in a way that resolves the issue without a variance. City engineering staff said sanitary service would be extended but water service would not, and that the applicant must obtain a curb-cut permit before construction. Fire prevention staff reported no objections but reminded the applicant to obtain required construction permits.

Commission discussion covered number of company vehicles and parking demand, the location and access for refuse removal, landscaping along the motel to the north, and the drive approach off Endless Street. Commissioners asked the applicant to coordinate with engineering and zoning to reduce the front access width as practicable and to ensure parking layout accommodates suppliers' delivery vehicles.

A motion to approve SP-02-2025 with the condition that the applicant work with engineering and zoning on dumpster/recycling container locations and on access/curb-cut details passed by roll-call vote. The vote recorded in the transcript: Rob Martin, aye; Mr. Chombly, aye; Ms. Schroeder, aye; Mr. Klinger, aye.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed after satisfying the stated conditions and obtaining any required variances or permits.