Timeline - Zoning Code Update

The City began working with ZoneCo (formerly Calfee Zoning) in 2018 to update the City's Zoning Code after city leaders agreed that it was a priority to put the vision and goals of the City's planning documents into action.  The Bowling Green Zoning Code was originally adopted in 1975, with text amendments over the years as needed.  

Prior to the start of the update to the Zoning Code, ZoneCo created a Diagnostic Report of Zoning Code (PDF) by reviewing the current Zoning Code.  As the City began the process of drafting new and streamlined zoning regulations, the Diagnostic Report was an important first step in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the existing Zoning Code and the extent to which the current Zoning Code advances or acts as a barrier to the land use principles and planning vision set forth in the City's planning documents: 

Zoning Code Update Timeline 2021-2023

Past public meetings on the zoning code update are available on the City's YouTube Channel.

ZoneCo delivered public presentations to the community on October 11, 2021 and February 16, 2022.  Presentation and materials are available below:

June 1, 2022 – Administrative Draft of the Zoning Code introduced in its entirety to the public during a Planning Commission meeting held at 7:00 PM at the Simpson Building, 1291 Conneaut Avenue.

June 1 through July 1, 2022:  Public comments were submitted on-line for each Article of the draft Zoning Code or the proposed Zoning Map (Online Comments Received - Zoning Code Update (PDF)), which were provided to Planning Commission and City Council weekly). Public comments were accepted on-line until July 1. However, it was indicated there would still be work sessions and public hearings for further opportunities for public input.

July 6, 2022: Planning Commission held a work session to discuss the Administrative Draft of the Zoning Code and review any public comments received thus far. Public comments were also welcomed at the meeting. This meeting was held at 7:00 PM at City Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street. A recording of this meeting can be viewed on the City's YouTube Channel.

July 11, 2022: Planning Commission held an additional work session at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street. A recording of this meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.

August 3, 2022: Planning Commission continued review of the proposed document and Zoning Map and held further discussion, while providing an additional opportunity for public input. Planning Commission scheduled a public hearing to review the Draft Zoning Code with any additional edits for their September meeting. This meeting was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 7:00 PM at City Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street. A recording of the August 3 meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.

September 7, 2022: Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Zoning Code/Zoning Map, then made a recommendation to City Council to review the Zoning Code with a list of several suggested Planning Commission Zoning Code Recommendations (PDF) the majority of the Commission agreed upon. A recording of the September 7 meeting can be viewed on the City's YouTube Channel.

October 3, 2022: City Council held a Committee Of The Whole meeting at the conclusion of its 7:00 PM regularly scheduled City Council meeting in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street to consider Planning Commission’s Zoning Code Recommendations (PDF). This was a work session, with no public comment taken. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.

October 17, 2022: City Council held a Committee Of The Whole meeting at the conclusion of its 7:00 PM regularly scheduled City Council meeting in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street, to consider Planning Commission’s recommendations on the Zoning Code update. This was a work session, with no public comment taken. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.

November 21, 2022: City Council held a Committee Of The Whole meeting at 5:30 PM, before the start of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting, in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street, to continue discussion of the Zoning Code update. This was a work session, with no public comment taken. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.

December 5, 2022: City Council held a Committee Of The Whole meeting at the conclusion of its 7:00 PM regularly scheduled City Council meeting in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street, to continue the discussion of the Zoning Code update. This was a work session, with no public comment taken. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.

December 19, 2022: City Council held a Committee Of The Whole meeting at 5:30 PM, before the start of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting, in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street, to continue discussion of the Zoning Code update. This was a work session, with no public comment taken. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel. Council stated this would be its last work session and that all recommended document edits were sent to ZoneCo. 

February 10, 2023: ZoneCo created a clean draft of the edits for public circulation. City Council indicated they would also hold a public forum regarding the proposed Pedestrian Residential District in February.

March 13, 2023:  City Council held a work session at 6:00 PM at the Veterans Memorial Building at City Park, 520 Conneaut Avenue.  The purpose of the session was to introduce possible changes to the Zoning Code.  No public input was taken.

March 23, 2023: City Council held a Public Form with active community participation and input at 6:00 PM at the Veterans Memorial Building at City Park, 520 Conneaut Avenue.

March 27, 2023: City Council held a work session on March 27, 2023, where several motions were made to edit the February draft of the Zoning Code.  Below is a list of motions made by City Council to edit the document and proposed Zoning Map, then a memo describing a “New Zone”, proposed changes to the Zoning Map reflecting the proposed “New Zone”, along with permitted/conditional uses proposed in the “New Zone” and a table comparing the existing B-2 General Commercial, the existing M-1 Light Industrial, the proposed new Commercial, and the proposed “New Zone”:

April 17, 2023:  The Zoning Code and Zoning Map legislation (Ordinance 9098) was introduced for its first reading.  This is also when the most recent edits to the Zoning Code and Zoning Map were introduced, based on City Council edits voted on at the March 27 work session.  Also at this meeting City Council scheduled the required public hearing for May 17, 2023.

The revised Draft Zoning Code and supporting documents are linked below:  

May 1, 2023:  City Council had a second reading of Ordinance 9098.

May 15, 2013:  City Council had a third reading of Ordinance 9098 and tabled the legislation until after the public hearing.  

May 17, 2023: City Council held a Public Hearing for the proposed Zoning Code and Zoning Map legislation -- Ordinance #9098 amending and adopting Chapter 150 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, regarding Zoning Code Regulations.  It was held at 6:00 PM at the Veterans Memorial Building at City Park, 520 Conneaut Avenue.

June 12, 2023:  Ordinance 9098 was removed from the table automatically and City Council discussed and adopted several amendments to the proposed Zoning Code.  Ordinance 9098 was passed and the Zoning Code and Zoning Map become effective on July 12, 2023.