MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP

3/22/2006

Concerned about development in the corridor between Perrysburg and Bowling Green, Middleton Township trustees are considering creating an overlay district along State Rt. 25 and State Rt. 582.

The overlay district, like similar ones planned in Center and Plain townships to the south, is designed to prevent congestion, especially along the four-lane Rt. 25, as development progresses and to monitor the appearance of new businesses.

The main thing is to take care of it before it starts, Wood County Planning Commission Director Dave Steiner said.

The county planning commission approved Middleton Township s district earlier this month, and it will go before the trustees. The commission has approved Center Township s Rt. 25 overlay district. Plain Township has not submitted a plan yet, Mr. Steiner said.

All three townships met in the fall to discuss the proposals.

Mr. Steiner said the main difference between the overlay districts for Middleton and Center townships is that Middleton Township s includes Rt. 582, the major east-west route through the township

Middleton Township s overlay district covers parcels with frontage along routes 25 and 582, to a depth of 1,000 feet from the center of the right-of-way on both sides. Single-family dwellings are exempt from the requirements.

Middleton Township zoning inspector David Reid said part of the district s purpose was to control access in the area to prevent traffic problems before businesses move there. That will keep customers from wanting to avoid the area, he said. We re just trying to get a jump on development of the area, he said.

Traffic-management plans include access drives or shared driveways for businesses to reduce the number of curb cuts along the road, Mr. Reid said.

Developers might be required to get traffic-impact or assessment studies.

Mr. Steiner said the districts would give new developments a more uniform appearance by requiring certain building setbacks and sign sizes. Building exteriors would not be allowed to be primarily concrete block, panels, or steel panels.

The overlay districts exclude certain types of businesses, including auto salvage yards, flea markets, truck transport terminals, sexually oriented businesses, self-storage facilities, and land fills.