Plan Commission approves 69-space city parking lot design at 1913 Spielberg Avenue

The Toledo City Plan Commission unanimously approved a major site plan and a downtown overlay district review for a new 69-space parking lot at 1913 Spielberg Avenue intended primarily for City of Toledo employees.

Rick Aikman, City of Toledo commissioner of facility and fleet operations, said the project grew from demolition of a former police service-station building and the site's environmental remediation (two 10,000-gallon fuel tanks removed). Aikman told the commission the lot is intended for city employees but would not be gated; he said the city will not police evening use but expects event parking to make incidental use of the lot.

Staff recommended approval of the site plan (SPR25-0004) subject to 26 conditions and of the downtown overlay review (DOD3-205) subject to five conditions. Aikman said the city accepts the landscaping conditions and will provide irrigation via existing city resources rather than installing subsurface irrigation. Commissioners clarified that part of the downtown overlay area is exempt from some brick pier requirements; the applicant agreed to install decorative metal tubing and additional plantings. The chair recused himself from these two items; no public opposition was recorded. Both cases were approved unanimously and do not go before city council.

Commissioners emphasized expectations around landscaping, maintenance and a placard policy to manage weekday employee parking. Aikman said the city will develop a placard program and a policing approach for weekday use. The commission approved both applications on motions recorded in the meeting.