Bowling Green · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bowling Green public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Proposed land acknowledgment
The commission will consider formally recognizing that Bowling Green sits on ancestral territory of the Wyandot, Miami, Ottawa, Kickapoo, and Potawatomi nations. Similar statements have been adopted by BGSU and local cultural groups.
Kramer Lane/Prospect Street rezoning
About 0.88 acres at the northwest corner of Kramer Lane and South Prospect Street could shift from Pedestrian-Residential to Mixed-Use Neighborhood zoning, allowing a broader mix of residential and small-scale commercial uses. The planning commission's recommendation would go to City Council for a final decision.
Zoning code update (Ordinance 9394)
The comprehensive zoning code amendment got its second reading; its public hearing is set for December 7 at 6:15 p.m.
Residential driveway-widening variances and off-street parking
The city caps driveway width at the width of the garage (here 20 feet). Fretz asked for a 4-foot overage to keep his growing family's cars off the street. The board found the modest request didn't harm the neighborhood's character.
Fence height measurement from grade before mounding
The city measures fence height from the original grade, not after a homeowner adds dirt — so backfilling doesn't fix an over-height fence. The Yohe case shows how easy it is to run afoul of this rule and how sympathetic boards can be when a contractor, not the owner, causes the problem.
Sign size standards for multi-tenant commercial plazas
A new Jersey Mike's/Wingstop building at 1502 East Wooster has an old, weathered pylon sign the owners want to reface, but the 2023 zoning code caps multi-tenant buildings at two signs per business. The board confirmed the planning director read the code correctly, leaving the owners to either live with the sign or sue in common pleas court. Neighbors may notice the faded pylon stays for now.
Commercial building height minimum on South Main Street
The 25-foot minimum height for commercial buildings is tripping up national chains like Chipotle that build shorter standard prototypes. The board wrestled with whether corporate cost savings count as a 'practical difficulty' — and ultimately said no.
Accessory uses zoning amendment
A long-pending ordinance updating rules for storing RVs at homes — plus civil offense classifications — was delayed again so council can review recent changes before a March 2 vote.
Historical plaque program
The commission selected Franklin Bronze Plaques after a review committee scored submissions, and a contract is being finalized. Plaque designs may be ready by the next meeting.