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.