Perrysburg neighbors teed off about a zoning change and the possibility of a Topgolf coming to the area packed a planning commission meeting Thursday.
After dozens of residents spoke against rezoning 24 acres on Eckel Junction Road near Costco, the planning commission voted 3-2 not to approve the change.
Andrew Carpenter, of Bridgeview Drive, said he moved to Perrysburg to have a quiet life.
“Perrysburg prides itself on family friendly ... small-town USA,” he said. “If you put in an entertainment facility like Topgolf, it’s ‘Vegas in your backyard.’”
This is the first vote on the rezoning request, with a public hearing and council votes to follow, said Megan Wolfinger, planning commission member.
The Eckel Junction Road property is owned by Bethel Assembly of God. Pastor Kevin Starr, who filed the rezoning request, was not at Thursday’s meeting.
Brody Walters, planning and zoning administrator for the city, said he had been asked to introduce the rezoning on behalf of the church.
He said the church purchased the property in 1994. In May, 2015, the church filed a similar rezoning application but voluntarily withdrew it before action was taken.
The property is bordered by others that are zoned C4 and multifamily residential, Mr. Walters said.
His office recommended approval of the zoning change from R2 (medium-density residential) to C4 (commercial district).
“I’m looking at it very objectively, not emotionally,” Mr. Walters said.
The C4 zoning allows animal service, automotive repair and sales, carryouts, entertainment/spectator sport facilities, medical offices, day cares, clubs, hotels, restaurants, and retail, he said.
R2 uses are one-family dwellings, bed and breakfasts, cemeteries, day cares, and parks and recreation facilities.
The planning commission is charged with deciding the zoning only, said member Greg Bade.
“This is not a Topgolf application in front of us,” he told the boisterous crowd. “We’re not monsters. We do care about the community.”
The pastor/applicant has a right to apply for the rezoning, Mr. Bade said. Also, there are Perrysburg people who want commercial development, he said.
“We’ve received lots of pressure from the school board to put commercial in, versus residential. They could just as well put in an apartment complex,” Mr. Bade said. “We’re trying to do what's best for the whole community.”
Jim Adray, of Callander Court, was first at the podium during the public comment section, and said he was speaking for 38 residents in his neighborhood.
“There’s plenty of room in Perrysburg for this, not here,” he said. “We’re concerned and we’ve heard the rumors. The rumors are telling us it’s going to be an entertainment venue.”
That will come with stadium lights, alcohol sales, a restaurant, and a lot of people, Mr. Adray said.
“You’re going to have all kinds of traffic congestion,” he said. “It’s a catastrophe right now.”
Most everyone was concerned about the burgeoning traffic that is already in the area. Many said they already wait two to four traffic cycles to get through an intersection.
Lori Reffert, who’s lived on Streamview Drive for 21 years, mentioned the traffic. As a board of education member, she also talked about the balance of commercial and residential. Voters have recently rejected bond issues for new facilities and will decide an operating levy on Nov. 5.
“As a school board member, I understand we don’t want more residential because of the strain it’s putting on the schools and city,” Ms. Reffert said, adding that Costco has been a great neighbor. “But I also understand that C4 is not the proper use in a residential area.”
Bob Rowan, of Turnbury Lane, said a Topgolf in this location would be like dropping a National Football League stadium on the property.
“This would be a disaster,” he said.
The vote on the rezoning was divided. Mayor Tom Mackin and Becky Williams voted in favor. Mr. Bade, Mathew Beredo, and Ms. Wolfinger voted against it. Andrew Lorenz abstained. Roberto Vela was not at the meeting.
The meeting lasted almost three hours.
Attendance was cut off at 86 people, with a few dozen unable to get into council chambers in the municipal building. The audience also had to sit through 90 minutes of other planning commission business.
Many in the audience asked for future meetings to have more seating and microphones. They also asked for the possible council vote, which is set for Election Day on Nov. 5, to be changed.
Mayor Mackin said council would probably move the meeting.
The next consideration for the zoning change will be at council’s planning and zoning committee meeting on Oct. 22.
More than 30 minutes before the meeting started, people were lined up to get through a metal detector and find a seat.
Lois Staber, of Turnbury Lane, has lived in the area for 26 years. While she did not oppose Costco, she does not want a Topgolf or more commercial development.
“Anything with more traffic, noise, and lights, I don’t want,” she said.
Ms. Staber said she knows city officials are under pressure to seek economic opportunities, which has been under relentless residential development.
“We need it, but not in my backyard,” she said.
Angela Stuck, also of Turnbury Lane, said her condo development is across the street from the field. Her main reason for attending the meeting was to oppose the zoning change.
“If for some reason we lose that battle, we’ll have another battle,” Ms. Stuck said. “Topgolf does not belong in this residential area. It’s not going to fit. It’s just not a good idea.”
So far, Topgolf continues to be a rumor. A flyer and door hanger were circulated in neighborhoods near Costco.
According to the Topgolf website, it is a “sports entertainment complex that features an inclusive, high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy, paired with an outstanding food and beverage menu, all-weather hitting bays and music.” The Topgolf press team did not respond to a request for comment earlier Thursday.
The Rossford mayor has also said his city is in talks with Topgolf about locating in the Crossroads area, by Bass Pro Shops, or at the Buck and Glenwood roads area.
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