Updates to Findlay's zoning code head for vote

Findlay's zoning code has been completely rewritten, with several changes added, but Councilman Grant Russel, R-at-large, says it's more of a tweak than an overhaul. Council members had the chance to informally review changes to the code at a Committee of the Whole meeting held Tuesday. Russel served as chairman of the meeting. Council's vote on the update is expected in October. On Tuesday, Matt Cordonnier, director of the Hancock Regional Planning Commission, reviewed the updated document with council. He said most of the changes involve the city's process, with some new rules. Most importantly, he said no changes have been made to the city's zoning map. The new code has also been reformatted to better allow for changes and updates. Russel said changes to the city's zoning code are inevitable over time. Moving forward, Councilman Jeff Wobser, R-at-large, said the city must be mindful of emerging technologies and the zoning code's impact on property owners. Recently added were new rules to increase the area of notification to residents by letter for zoning changes being considered by the planning commission from 250 feet to 500 feet of the parcel. City council will also be required to post signs on the parcel upon the introduction of zoning change legislation. The city's Board of Zoning Appeals will also be required to post signs on parcels under its consideration. The changes were added after recent debates over proposed zoning changes on McPherson Avenue, with neighborhood residents saying they were unaware of the petition. Missing is any language concerning the regulation of farm animals kept within city limits. That change was sidelined due to a public backlash, allowing the update to continue through the process without bogging down in those arguments. Other proposed changes include new rules establishing large-scale industrial districts that would allow companies to use their own wind turbines for power. The proposed new I-3 zoning for large-scale industrial use would establish districts where manufacturers could build wind turbines to generate power for their factories. The zoning is for companies that intend to use alternative energy, not generate it for use by the general power grid. It is also not intended to permit large-scale solar or wind farms that generate electricity for the grid. The code would also sunset towering retail signs, known as "pylon signage," in 10 years, in favor of ground signs. Other new sign rules would limit the ability to add new billboards in the city and limit the use of digital signs. The new rules would also standardize signage on building walls. A "Planned Unit Development," or a PUD zoning classification, is also being proposed. Cordonnier has said it is a very common type of zoning classification considered "separate and unique." The zoning allows for negotiations between developers and city officials in establishing land uses that may otherwise be prohibited under the zoning code. New "A1," agriculture zoning, would provide landowners with some guarantees that farm property annexed to the city could still be farmed. City officials say the new zoning could be useful if property owners next to the farmland want to annex for development. Both parcels could be annexed, without the farm losing its agricultural use. The zoning would most likely apply to the outer edges of the city's limits. A complete list of proposed zoning code changes is available on the city's website at findlayohio.gov, listed on the zoning office's page as "Zoning Update."