Northwood nixes rezoning

7/15/2005

Northwood City Council denied a zoning change that could have allowed a restaurant on the west side of Oregon Road, but agreed to let a trucking company expand on Lemoyne Road.

Both votes at last night's council meeting were unanimous.

The owner of 2.06 acres at the southwest corner of Caple Boulevard and Oregon Road wanted a zoning change from light industrial to commercial zoning. That potentially would have allowed a restaurant to serve students and faculty on their way to Owens Community College during breakfast and lunch hours.

The Northwood Planning Commission recommended that council deny the request.

The trucking company, Motor Carrier Express, wanted 10.09 acres it owns at 815 Lemoyne changed from commercial to heavy industrial zoning to allow it to expand its shop to better accommodate larger tractor trailers.

The planning commission recommended council deny the request because it goes against the city's master plan.

Council voted to modify the recommendation to allow the company to expand, but required it to conform to commercial zoning requirements about sidewalks and landscaping.

In other business, council asked its safety committee to discuss earmarking revenue from the city's red light cameras for traffic safety.

Also at the meeting, Councilman Tim Reardon said he would amend the date of his resignation. He planned to resign Sept. 1, but now expects to resign closer to the November election.

Five people are running for four seats on council in November.

Councilman Connie Hughes suggested the change so that council could appoint whoever does not win a four-year term to the remaining two years of Mr. Reardon's term.

Four of the people running are incumbent councilmen. The fifth is Randy Kozina, 52, a member of the Northwood Local Board of Education.