Lake Twp.: Zoning map questions raised by plan commission

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Questions about the accuracy of the Lake Township zoning map may impact two applications for zoning changes pending before the Wood County Planning Commission.
The planning commission is scheduled to meet Aug. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wood County Courthouse in Bowling Green.
Ronald Bihn, Bailey Road, is seeking a change in zoning from the B-1 neighborhood business classification to the B-3 highway business classification with the intent to construct self-storage units on the property.
The 2.6-acre parcel is located on the southeast side of Woodville Road and flanked by Bradner Road about 750 feet to the east and Bailey Road about 200 feet to the west.
In its analysis of Bihn’s application, the staff of the planning commission notes that township records show the parcel was rezoned in 1987 from R-2 residential zoning to the B-1 classification.
“Currently, the Lake Township official zoning map is being redrafted due to numerous errors. This being the case, it is not possible to accurately list the zoning classifications of surrounding parcels,” the analysis says. “In terms of land use in the area, there are commercial uses along Woodville Road and residential uses on Bailey Road. Utilities are available to the parcel and there is currently access off of Woodville Road.”
The staff is recommending the planning commission also recommend the application be denied when the matter is before the township board of trustees.
“The main concern with any type of rezoning in Lake Township at this time is the accuracy of their official zoning map,” the staff writes. “Numerous errors have been identified to the point where the township has hired a consultant to research and draft a new zoning map.
“Given the inaccuracy of the current zoning map, it makes it difficult to make a well informed recommendation back to the township on a proposed zoning change. Given this, the planning commission staff recommends the planning commission recommend denial of this request and have the applicants resubmit to the township when an accurate map is adopted,” the staff writes.
The planning commission could make a non-binding recommendation to the township trustees for or against the zoning request when the application is considered by the panel.
Another zoning request from a Lake Township property owner is also on the planning commission’s meeting agenda.
Daniel Abdo has submitted a request to rezone two lots in the East Lawn Subdivision from B-1 neighborhood business to B-3 highway business. The lots sit on the southeast side of Woodville Road about 1,500 feet west of Millbury Road.
The application says Abdo wants to construct a business office at the site and store construction materials.
As with the Bihn application, the staff recommendation advises the commission to wait until a more accurate zoning map is completed.
Lake Township Police Chief Mark Hummer, who is also the acting zoning inspector, said the township has retained a firm to review the zoning map but not because errors have been found.
“We’re not conceding the map is inaccurate,” he said. “The company is working on it and going through our old records. We’d rather have them take their time and do a thorough review.”
The chief said applicants for the zoning inspector position are being interviewed but no decision has been made.

Troy Twp.
An application from the Troy Township Zoning Commission has been submitted to the county planning commission to include new definitions for fences, screenings, and landscaping wall in the township’s zoning resolution.
“The definitions as presented are standard definitions and more or less line up with other township’s definitions,” the staff writes in its recommendation for approval.