Planning commission recommends rezoning of 300 West Front Street to C-3 downtown commercial

The Findlay City Planning Commission unanimously recommended that City Council rezone 300 West Front Street from R-3 small-lot residential to C-3 downtown commercial, advancing a proposal from Rossi Enterprises LLC.

Staff warned the commission that the requested rezoning conflicted with the City of Findlay land use plan, which designates the parcel as small-lot residential, and recommended denial. “The City Of Findlay land use plan designates the site a small lot residential… deviation from the plan is generally done under unique, circumstances,” staff said, listing concerns including increased traffic and intensity of use if commercial zoning extends westward into the neighborhood.

The applicant described a small-batch concept and said the site sits on the cusp of downtown, adjacent to the Marathon Center for Performing Arts. Commissioners weighed those location considerations against long-term land-use protections. Several members said that undesirable uses in the C-3 district (for example, large automotive uses) could be managed through the conditional-use process or code amendments rather than denying the rezoning outright.

Commissioners discussed permitted and conditional uses in the C-3 district — including restaurants, coffee shops, arts-related businesses and conditional uses such as bars, taverns and nightclubs — and noted that a distillery would likely be treated as a conditional use requiring a separate application to the commission.

Chair said he supported the project and the rezoning as a way to encourage downtown reinvestment: “I love this project,” the chair said during the discussion, offering support while acknowledging the need for careful rules on conditional uses. Commissioners emphasized the applicant will have to return for a conditional-use application if they pursue distillery operations or mixed use with upstairs apartments.

The commission moved to recommend approval to council; the motion passed unanimously in roll-call vote. Staff and the applicant agreed to coordinate to determine whether the three council readings and required notices can be scheduled before year-end; if not, the item will start readings in January when the new council convenes.

Outcome: Planning Commission recommended rezoning ZA-11-2025 to City Council by unanimous vote; any specific commercial operations (such as a distillery) will require subsequent conditional-use review and permit approvals.