Tiffin Planning Commission recommended a zoning change for two parcels of land adjacent to Nile Street and Colony Avenue Thursday afternoon.
The board approved a change for two parcels, owned by Mar-San Ltd. and Hunt Real Estate Developers Inc. The petition was made by Elaine Hunt, who owns the properties and ECS Billing and Consulting. Hunt plans to use the properties for employee parking, with the possibility of using them for expansion of the business in the future.
Hunt was at the meeting Thursday, and said the company has been growing and adding jobs to the area, and said she hopes it will continue to have success and need the space for expansion.
The area was a point of controversy earlier this year when neighbors objected to the vacation of the adjacent alley, as they said it may interfere with their ability to maneuver trailers and vehicles in the area.
During a Tiffin City Council meeting Jan. 16, Cindy Ardner, a resident of Nile Street, spoke in opposition to the rezoning. Presenting a petition signed by 61 Tiffin residents, 51 of whom live in the area, Ardner said people are "tired" of businesses coming into residential areas.
The petition is on file in the mayor's office and with the city council. Mayor Aaron Montz said board members had a chance to view the document.
Also, Roger Ardner said during the council meeting there could be flooding in the area if one of the properties with grass were demolished and paved over. Commission memberssaid all flooding which occurs would affect Hunt's property, and not other property owners in the area.
City Engineer Curtis Eagle said rain water in the area typically drains to Jackson and Market streets.
No one was present to speak in opposition to the rezoning.
The recommendation is to go to council, which may take legislation to approve the rezoning off the table and give it a second reading. Council cannot suspend the three-reading rule on zoning changes, and a two-thirds votes is needed to override the commission's recommendation.
In other news, the commission elected Montz as chairman and Bob Williams as vice chairman.
Commission member John Bing said Thursday would be his last meeting, as the Park and Recreation Board has recommended another member, Dave Ralston, to sit on the commission.
