Perrysburg: Officials considering zoning changes
2/9/2005Perrysburg officials are considering zoning changes that would allow two commercial developments, a business park, and a multi-family residential development to be built in the southern portion of the city.
Perrysburg City Council held a public hearing last week on a zoning request for a 30-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Eckel Junction Road and State Rt. 25. The land, formerly a horse farm, was annexed from Perrysburg Township into the city last year. Before it was annexed, the township assigned it commercial zoning, and the city is being asked to permanently assign it the same commercial zoning within the city.
Several residents who live near the proposed commercial development told City Council they are concerned about additional traffic in the area and what kind of business might go into the site. The city's zoning laws do not require developers to submit a site plan before requesting assignment of a particular zoning, so city officials said they do not know exactly what type of retail the developers are hoping to build.
"We're concerned about what type of business is going to be there and what type of trash might be blowing around," said William Vining, a resident who lives off Eckel Junction.
The project is being proposed by Visconsi Companies, Ltd., a company based just east of Cleveland. Gary Stevens, vice president of development for the company, said there are no deals in place yet with tenants so he is not sure what type of businesses will move into the site.
Visconsi Companies also is requesting a zoning change on 9.6 acres of land from residential to commercial to complete the development site. Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing about the zoning change on Tuesday.
The city's planning staff has recommended that the city assign commercial zoning to both parcels, which would create a nearly 40-acre site for commercial development at Eckel Junction and State Rt. 25.
Further south, on the southeast corner of Roachton Road and State Rt. 25, developers are planning to create a multi-family residential community and a business park on nearly 100 acres.
To create a different layout for the residences and business park, the developers are requesting to switch the zoning on two parcels. The switch would put more business park zoning along Roachton and create a residential parcel that would run further south.
Rick Thielen, the city's planning and zoning administrator, said Perrysburg's comprehensive plan calls for residential development along Roachton to act as a "buffer" for residents in the Perrysburg Heights area.
He said a buffer is more important on the north side of the road, so the planning staff recommended that the zoning changes be approved even though it would allow some businesses to locate on the south side of Roachton.
If the changes are approved, developers plan to construct seven buildings on the 25-acre residential site. The development would have 256 units, a clubhouse, and a swimming pool.
The business park zoning on about 75 acres of the site would give the city strict controls over what is built. The zoning requires development standards and deed restrictions to guide the development of the business park. In addition, an Architectural Review Committee would be formed to oversee the business park.
Council plans to hold a public hearing on the zoning change Tuesday.
The third public hearing scheduled for Tuesday involves another request for a zoning change to commercial.
The request is for a 2.4-acre parcel along Williams Road just west of a NationsRent equipment store.
The parcel is currently zoned for industrial use.
Mr. Thielen said the property owner is interested in developing a hotel on the parcel.
After the public hearings, all three projects will be reviewed by council's planning and zoning committee, which will make a recommendation to council about the zoning changes. Council is tentatively scheduled to decide on the zoning changes March 1
Contact Rachel Zinn at:
rzinn@theblade.com
or 419-410-5055