Coldwater council hears questions about new building

COLDWATER - Coldwater village councilors at Monday's regular meeting heard concerns from a resident about a structure being built on Burkettsville-St. Henry Road within the village.

Marge Kahlig addressed council with the concern that the building does not meet the C-2, community commercial, zoning designation. She told councilors she was told the proposed 146-by-60 foot building will be used as a warehouse related to operations for Amazon and will not include any retail business. Kahlig said she believes a warehouse structure should not be allowed in C-2.

Construction began on the site several weeks ago and a foundation is in place for the new structure.

Kahlig also shared concerns on updating the zoning ordinance to include automobile and recreational vehicle storage as allowable in C-2 zones.

The council scheduled a research committee meeting for 4 p.m. Aug. 18 in council chambers to look into the issues brought forward by Kahlig.

Councilors also gave first reading of an ordinance authorizing the annexation of 0.245 acres to the village of Coldwater; the ordinance would authorize an annexation agreement between the village and Butler Township.

Village administrator/engineer Eric Thomas said Brian and Cheryl Hogenkamp want to build a residential property on two lots that they own. One is inside the village corporation limits and the other is outside. Thomas said officials in the tax map department suggested both lots be in the village for taxing purposes of the parcel. The proposed annexation tract is located south of South Seventh Street in the southwest corner of the village.

In other business, council members heard second reading of an ordinance revising the village's zoning ordinance. The Zoning Board of Appeals looked over the current ordinance last year and noted several minor changes that needed to be updated or clarified, based on changes that have occurred since the zoning ordinance was passed in August 2017.

Councilors kept tabled the third reading of an ordinance accepting the final plat of Wenning Acres Subdivision section 7. The final reading will be held after transfer of the detention area and after the electric is installed. The section is about 13.932 acres of land situated west of North Second Street in Wenning Acres.

Finance director Jason Eyink reported the village received a $196,000 reimbursement from the Capital Improvement Community Park Grant awarded through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The grant money was used to finance the new pickleball courts at Memorial Park.

Also on Monday, council members:

• thanked the Coldwater Community Picnic committee for their time and hard work contributing to a successful picnic.

• learned the Multiple Donations Softball Tournament will be held Aug. 13-17 at the park.

• learned the dedication of the Memorial Park courts project will be held after the Sept. 8 council meeting.

• were reminded that school starts next week and to be watchful for children.

Coldwater Village Council meets next at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at the village hall.