The Findlay City Planning Commission on Jan. 9 recommended approval of a zoning amendment to create a cannabis overlay district that would allow up to two marijuana dispensaries in defined commercial areas of the city.

Staff described the overlay as a tool to target appropriate commercial areas while meeting state separation rules. "Ohio Revised Code section 3780.25" was cited during the presentation as the state law framework allowing municipalities to regulate siting. Staff and the planning and zoning committee mapped four commercial corridors — Tiffin Avenue, County Road 99 near I‑75, West Trenton Avenue west of I‑75 and West Main Cross near I‑75 — as the overlay areas after applying the state‑required 500‑foot buffer from schools, churches, libraries, playgrounds and parks. The ordinance proposed limiting the number of retail dispensaries to two in the city; state code also requires that two retail stores be spaced at least one mile apart, a separation discussed by staff.

Commissioners and council member Grant Russell, who served on the planning and zoning committee, described the process: they tried larger buffers (750 ft., 1,000 ft., 1,500 ft.) but found those either excluded desirable sites or still included residential areas such as Manor Hill; the overlay approach allowed staff to target commercial corridors. Russell noted public outreach and that the city mailed about 700 postcards to property owners within the proposed districts and 500 feet of them, and that public reactions were mixed.

The planning commission also recommended adding growing and processing as conditional uses in the I‑1 light industrial district, so such industrial activities would come before the commission if proposed. Commissioners asked staff to remove parcels not zoned C2 from the proposed overlay maps and to adjust the map to reflect the location of Findlay Digital Academy and other recently identified uses.

A motion to approve the proposed zoning change carried in roll call. Recorded votes: Miss Schroeder, aye; Mister Klinger, aye; Mayor Maron, aye; Mister Martin, aye; Mister Tremblay, aye. The recommendation will go to the planning and zoning committee at noon and then to city council for three readings and a public hearing before final passage. If council approves, a 30‑day referendum period is possible under state law.