Bowling Green · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bowling Green public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Historic/notable tree map and database
The Commission is building a map and database of historic and notable trees, aiming for a Spring 2027 kickoff. Residents may be asked to nominate trees via an online portal.
AMP board leadership and public power
The city's electric division earned the highest-level diamond safety award, and officials lobbied in D.C. about rising capacity and transmission costs, data-center grid impacts, and permitting delays.
Finance Committee cancelled
The quarterly finance update was cancelled because the city still has no full-time Finance Director, and budget season will bring the numbers anyway.
Multifaith Breakfast set for March 2027
The annual Multifaith Breakfast returns March 10, 2027, at the Veterans Memorial Building at City Park. Planning meetings will follow regular commission meetings, and volunteers are being recruited.
Wind turbine decommissioning
Four turbines at the landfill will be removed by year-end under a ~$1.7–1.8 million AMP contract already funded — no rate increase expected.
Chipotle restaurant height variance on south side
The ZBA granted Chipotle a variance to build 22 feet 8 inches tall after the developer showed a 23-foot deed restriction near Home Depot. Something is getting built on the south side of town.
Process for on-street parking removal requests
The commission decided that even when the city itself requests parking restrictions, residents should get advance letters and a chance to weigh in, keeping the transparency practice used for citizen petitions.
Rally BG on Main, August 29
The city and BGSU are teaming up again for Rally BG on Main on Saturday, August 29, from 2 to 8 p.m. Main Street closes to cars, the zip line returns, and the BGSU band is reportedly 100 students bigger this year.
Fire Division wins national cardiac care award — fifth year running
Bowling Green's fire division earned the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus Award for the fifth straight year, this time with honors for heart attack and stroke care. It reflects the training and emergency medical response of the city's firefighters and paramedics.
Zoning Board of Appeals variance decisions
The ZBA denied a taller commercial building for a Chipotle site on South Main and an oversized monument sign, but approved a driveway widening on Wexford Drive.
Low-speed micromobility devices ordinance
A first-reading ordinance would update city rules on low-speed micromobility devices such as e-scooters.
Street cleaning special assessment
The annual street cleaning assessment ordinance was adopted — property owners in assessed areas pay for street sweeping.
Annexation and interim zoning for 1200 Sand Ridge Road
A 0.84-acre parcel at 1200 Sand Ridge Road will join the city so the owner can hook up to city water and sewer. It keeps its residential R-1 zoning, so nothing changes on the ground — just access to city utilities.
Bicycle safety recognition and rides
The city honored Steve Langendorfer by renaming the Bicycle Spokesperson of the Year award after him; Adrien Lowien-Kirian won the 2026 award. Bike safety training rides are planned the week of July 13 for council and staff.
America 250 community mural
The city kicks off its local America 250 celebrations Thursday, January 8, at the Wood County library, with a year of events planned with local partners.
Launch of online permit and application portal
Planning staff told the board the city is weeks away from moving applications and permits fully online. Board members asked that the digital process preserve the detail in application sketches.
City website redesign and accessibility improvements
The city is launching a redesigned website May 21 with better search, mobile support and ADA tools, plus AI-generated accessible versions of its 2,500 PDFs and new social media listening tools.
ClaZel Theater restoration
The renovated ClaZel Theater is buzzing with weekend shows. The commission pitched monthly historic movies and a vaudeville or ragtime concert; the manager was interested, and rent ($2,000/night) is negotiable.
National Preservation Month 2026
May is packed: 50 homes signed up for History Lives Here signs, a downtown scavenger hunt for all ages with downtown dollars as prizes, and four bike tours — including a new evening tour with a walking segment.
Township line change petition (Resolution 3904)
Council gave second reading to a resolution letting the City Attorney petition Wood County to change township lines.
Carter Park Water Tower painting agreement with BGSU
The city is renovating its Carter Park and Western water towers and worked out a deal where BGSU pays to put its logo on the Carter Park tower along I-75. The city saves painting costs and keeps final say on the design.
ODOT project consent (Resolution 3905)
A routine resolution letting the Municipal Administrator sign off on Ohio Department of Transportation paperwork for Project ID No. 114710.
Building activity slowing slightly
Permits are down — 69 this year versus 88 at the same point last year — though the planning director thinks it's mostly the weather. Housing starts are basically flat at 20 versus 22.
ClaZel Theater 100th anniversary
The commission wants to help celebrate the ClaZel Theater's 100th anniversary this year with historic-themed events like vaudeville music or old movies. Chair Sampen will arrange a meeting with theater manager Broc Curry.
Historic site designation category gap in ordinance
The commission wants to recognize places like Kermit's as "historic sites" without full building designation, but the ordinance has no such category. Creating one would require a City Council ordinance change, and it's unclear what such a designation would protect.
North Maple Historic District entrance signs
New historic district signs for North Maple Street have arrived and will be installed soon, one at each end of the district. A maintenance-tips mailing also went out to district property owners.
Delinquent utility account policy update
Two old policies were merged into one clearer policy on late payments and billing, updated for modern payment options. Customers shouldn't notice changes, but late fees collected in 2025 were higher than recent years.
Township line change petition
A resolution introduced Monday would let the City Attorney ask Wood County Commissioners to change township lines — first reading only.
Tourism impact and Winterfest
Visit BG Ohio spent about $16,000 in grants, $59,000 in sponsorships and $97,000 in marketing in 2025 to draw visitors. Winterfest returned after six years and was a success.
2025 Planning Department Report
New housing hit a 10-year high with 53 permits in 2025, and the department is going digital with permits and applications within a month. A downtown facade grant program and historic plaque program are coming this spring.
Coleman Avenue vacation
The city is moving to vacate part of Coleman Avenue while keeping a utility easement; residents can comment at an April 6 public hearing.
Recreational Vehicle Storage Rules
An ordinance updating civil offense classifications and RV storage at residences is on second reading. Ward 4's Herald says the current driveway time limits feel too tight and he may propose changes at the next meeting.
Snow Emergency Response and Utility Reliability
The Mayor hailed Public Works' handling of a 10-inch snowstorm — the city's first snow emergency in three years. O'Connell reported linemen sent to Virginia returned safely, water main breaks are running low, and residents can call a 24/7 line for outages.
Coleman Avenue street vacation
Neighbors petitioned to vacate a dead-end, never-paved chunk of Coleman Avenue north of Birch Street. The city has no plans to build the street, so the land would revert to adjacent owners, with a utility easement staying in place.
Human Relations Commission 2025 activities and 2026 plans
The commission boosted its grant allocation from $1,600 to $2,500, awarded five community grants in the spring, condemned KKK flyers distributed in the community, and is reviving the multi-faith breakfast for April 14.