I call to order the zoning and planning committee meeting of June 17th, 2026.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Morris.

Martinez.

Driscoll.

Gaddis.

Hobbes.

Comeves.

Meldon.

Here.

Sound two.

Here.

Williams.

Seven present.

I'd like to recognize uh councilwoman.

And Adam Martinez.

Uh as they were here.

Uh before we begin, uh, I would like to set a few parameters for today's meeting.

As the chair of this committee, I want to ensure everyone has the uh opportunity to express their opinions and ideas.

I will treat everyone with respect.

And I expect the same courtesy in return for all of the members who are on this day.

We are all passionate about the work that we do and the positions that we hold, but with that in mind, we will conduct this meeting in a professional and respectable uh manner.

So for each of the committee, for each case before the committee, we will allow the applicant to present their proposal.

We will then hear testimony from the public both in support and in opposition of the project.

Individuals may also come forward to ask questions that will help them form their own position on the matter.

So public uh testimony will be limited to three minutes per speaker.

And you'll see the timers.

There's one there, there's one on the side here, and there's one over here.

I would ask that all of the remarks uh remain pertinent to the exact case that we are discussing, and that the speakers make every effort to stay within that allotted time.

If there are any questions for today's proceedings, please let me know now about the process.

Okay.

Seeing none, uh, we're gonna get started.

And clerk, can you please read the first case?

And with the applicant for the first case, please come forward to the podium.

I will actually be reading the first three cases, they're companion cases with the same address.

Uh case number one is a request for a special use permit for gasoline and fuel sales for the property located at 1322 Burnanth Parkway.

Case number SUP 25-0049.

The plan commission staff recommends approval, subject to 46 conditions and two waivers.

The plan commission recommends disapproval.

Case number two is the request for removal of lot one of the Tiburne Plat 1 from the community unity unit plan.

Originally approved by ordinance 373-76 and is amended for the property located at 1322 Burnath Parkway.

Case number PUD 26-0005, the plan commission recommends approval.

Case number three is a request for a zone change from RM12 multi-dwelling residential to CN neighborhood commercial for the property located at 1322 Burnath Parkway.

Case number Z25-0038, the plan commission recommends approval.

We're gonna go ahead and swear you in.

My name is Gene Abercrombie.

I'm an attorney representing the applicant.

Do you want to swear in my client at this point?

Or when if your client is willing to speak?

I believe they will be.

You want to come up and we'll at least swear you in so that we've got that taken care of.

Yeah, Rob Horton, uh RCP development uh developer for the property.

Kyle Letterger, uh representative with Speakway 711.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?

So say I do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead, sir.

Would you like to tell us about your application?

Yes, thank you for your time this afternoon.

My name is Gene Abercrombie.

I'm an attorney with Summero Henry.

Uh I'm here as legal counsel for the developer on this property, RCP Development LLC, in connection with the proposed redevelopment of 1322 Burnath Parkway, which is now before this committee, following Toledo Plan Commission's recommendations on this matter.

As previously stated, there are three three distinct matters involved here, two of which uh are generally routine and we're unanimously uh recommended approval for uh uh this committee by plan commission uh itself.

The third matter is is the uh the issuance of the SUP and the issuance of the SUP was uh interesting uh in that um the request for the SUP was for gasoline and fuel sales.

Plan commission itself voted 3-2 recommending waiver, excuse me, of the 24-hour uh operation condition, which was recommended by the Plan Commission staff.

Uh however, the plan commission then voted 3-2 in disapproval of the underlying SUP itself with Commissioner Whittington uh voting yes on the hours waiver but no on the underlying SUP request, which uh logically um we still kind of question.

But nonetheless, um let me give a bit of history with respect to this site.

This is uh approximately 2.44 acre site at 1322 Burnath Parkway.

This was the old TGI Fridays restaurant that operated from 1981 until uh uh a few years back.

Property is currently vacant, underutilized, and it's a visible source of decline along this critical corridor on Airport Highway.

In late March, this property was vandalized, windows were broken out, and although the copper piping was stripped from the building, we expect that it's going to continue to uh be vandalized as it sits vacant.

Uh we submitted to Plan Commission for its hearing photos showing the damage.

Um, and we also submitted a letter from Joe Belinski.

Uh uh of Reichel Klein, uh the commercial real estate broker representing the developer.

Joe is here today and can answer any questions that uh that the counsel may have on this.

But in short, the letter submitted by m by Mr.

Balinski, explained why second-generation restaurant buildings are particularly difficult to reposition, because number one, they're highly specialized in their design, renovation costs are high relative to their likely returns, and building layout limits alternative uses.

And uh at Plan Commission, Mr.

Balinski uh testified that in his opinion the highest and best use of this property was likely either a gas station uh convenience store use uh such as Speedway is proposing or a car wash.

Uh there has been no activity with respect to proposed restaurants.

Uh it is just too far off of the uh the 475 23 highway to be uh really interesting for for restaurants.

Um as such, this matter uh concerns redevelopment of an existing blighted commercial property, not introduction of a new commercial use uh onto a previously undeveloped residential land.

So the choice for counsel is simple.

It's not between active use and no impact.

It is between continued vacancy and blight and managed reinvestment.

My client, if uh uh approval is received, would uh invest approximately five million dollars in new private investment in this site, uh which would not only improve the property tax base, create new employment opportunities, modernize the site with updated improvements, and help spur additional development in this particular corridor by providing a visible sign of confidence uh for the future of this corridor.

At Plan Commission there were a number of uh uh nearby residents that spoke in opposition uh they spoke on the number of nearway nearby speedway locations in proximity to the site generalized concerns about speedway and the upkeep of its local locations uh speedway and the developer respects these concerns obviously do do not dismiss them uh but we believe that um this development is appropriate uh and that this is the new model store very similar to a sheets location that would have uh in inside uh opportunity for uh ordering and eating food um traffic was discussed plan commission staff's report acknowledged the concerns but indicated that they believe that the proposed site would not cause an increase in traffic uh crime and loitering was a significant issue that was discussed at at Plan Commission with some residents associating gas stations and convenience operations with crime or loitering and unfortunately what it seemed to turn into was a uh a bashing of speedway uh with respect to their um existing locations in Toledo uh noise and lighting were also an issue um but again it is our position that having an an active uh site with proper security lighting will actually uh help prevent crime uh as such the committee's not being asked to introduce a new new use to this area it's obviously a a different type of use but it's not uh new in that it was residential before um at this point uh we respectfully request that the committee report the ordinances favorably to full city council without operating our restrictions allowing us to proceed with uh the development of the property uh at this point Rob or Kyle did you want to make any comments or be available for questions.

Thank you.

Ms.

Catrell do you have anything to add the only thing I'll add is that this is a bit of a complicated property and that it's been used commercially for 30 40 years because it came out of an old community unit plan where the commercial was allowed the reason that the plan commission voted yes on the commercial and no on the special use is because they recognized it was going to probably remain a commercial use they felt that the special use from it was too intense but they do they did recognize it some sort of a neighborhood commercial walkable commercial use there would be appropriate.

Can you read those waivers please so that was a setback waiver in the CN zoning and then uh a waiver of the restriction of commercial access against residential zones.

Those were acceptable yes okay thank you President Williams.

Thank you I think my colleagues know what I'm gonna say um so there is a uh corner uh Monroe and Detroit and I'm going to tell she's this too again um that we have measured the foot traffic this we have measured the foot traffic uh we've measured the actual traffic there uh detroit we're old right aid sits we'll welcome you with open arms there thank you council member gaddis thank you just for clarity what are the hours of operation twenty-four seven uh is the hours of operation of all new speedway locations throughout Ohio, correct?

Okay, and the neighborhood had concerns about the hours of operation at the community meeting.

Uh I I will let Ms.

Catrell also um provide her thoughts, but but my perception of what the resident concerns were were primarily the twenty four seven hour operation, not necessarily the gas station or the the gas sales.

That's why we were so confused that we were uh successful in getting recommendation of the hours limitation, but recommended disapproval on the underlying SUP itself.

Uh in fact there was uh one individual that stood up that said that he would prefer to have a uh uh a car wash that sold marijuana and and porn rather than have a twenty four seven gas station in the location.

I always appreciate public input.

Yes, we do.

Um so it wasn't a plan commission recommendation for the public course?

So the plan commission did recommend with a three to two vote that condition number twenty eight be removed.

That condition which is allowed via the zoning code had an hours restriction that they had to close between one and five thirty.

That condition was removed.

Three to two vote, but then at the end they denied the the special use permit.

And then how many uh what kind of calls did the office receive on this?

We've got a significant number of calls, emails, um can't get you an exact number, but it's it's it's probably twenty.

Okay, and then does the size of the building fall within the qualifications of the um licensure legislation.

Or is this another mega guess?

It is under five thousand square feet.

It would require a license.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Sarranti.

Thank you.

Was there a neighborhood meeting?

Uh there was a neighborhood meeting that was held.

Yes.

And could somebody summarize the neighborhood meeting what was discussed?

Um I wasn't there, so roughly.

Uh yeah, we we held a a neighborhood meeting um I don't know, six to eight months ago, and uh we mailed out mailers to the surrounding area as we were told from the uh uh planning department and we held that meeting.

Um I would say there was maybe ten fifteen people there.

Uh the uh councilman Martinez was there, uh, uh Councilman Kramer was there, uh discussed our initial plan with all the neighbors, uh, took in a lot of their feedback and consideration, made a bunch of design changes, um to um, you know, be good neighbors, um, and uh, you know, met with our our neighbor uh immediately adjacent to us, the condo building, um we actually share cross access with them and some cross-access parking.

Um we've come up with a plan to build a wall, um, separating our two parcels uh and come to an agreement with them being our direct adjacent neighbor, um the condo board has approved uh our plan and and um and wants to see it go forward.

So so yes, answer your question.

There was a neighborhood meeting.

Uh we took into consideration what everyone had said.

We made significant design changes, we added uh landscape improvements, um uh bus stop uh was requested.

Uh, you know, we want to be a good neighbor, we wanna, you know, give people what they want, um, and uh so they that's the extent of the neighborhood meeting.

Just to clarify, you said the condo board approved.

That's correct, yeah.

So we have an agreement with the account of board uh to approve our they approved our plan um and uh in exchange we're building a privacy wall uh with them.

Um and so yes, we we do have the formal approval and we have a letter um from the from the county board.

Thank you.

Thank you, madam chair.

And um councilman Saran, too, just to clarify a bit, uh to the can you go back to the uh the site itself, please?

To the west of the proposed site, there is the condo complex that Mr.

Horton was referring to.

Um it is that condo complex that the voted in support and there is a letter in the file uh from them.

The oppos the the opponents uh most of them seem to be uh residents of the neighborhood that would be to the north and to the northeast uh in behind off of uh the extension of is that Burnath that extends there as well.

So the the most uh the my point being the the folks most proximate to the site were supportive okay so to understand this so you're saying the people north of the Fridays correct okay thank you thank you manager uh I do have a question about speedway is it a corporate owned are all of them corporate owned are they franchised like how how does this how does this work?

They are all corporate.

Okay.

So if we have a problem with one of them we can certainly reach out to corporate if they're not very good neighbors and if they have a lot of trash and if there's a lot of crime.

Okay.

All right.

Uh because I have a great location um that I am frustrated with in my district which is located at Sylvania Tremains uh Sylvania Tramainsville and Jackman uh there is nothing but problems going on at that location and um I would really like to see it look as lovely as this one could look uh or promises to look um one thing with all of these different gas stations coming in is trying to raise the bar a little bit because uh I'll tell you some of these other ones have really been forgotten in the neighborhoods.

Uh councilman Martinez.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Uh just uh kinda elaborate a little bit uh to Councilman Soronto's question we were there uh gosh I was probably back in May April May.

Uh there was about 15 concerned uh residents in the area and some of the concerns that were brought up were a little bit NIBism.

Um some of them were legitimate uh mainly around pedestrian traffic around school drop offs uh and neighborhood traffic um while the traffic study which I did request to have done didn't report any significant traffic concerns it was observed by the planner that there was significant amount of children walking in the area so it was legitimized through just the visual observation of the planner of the tech at the time um for the most part um a lot of opposition mainly because the hours of operation uh lighting pollution potential pollution but I think that's probably been addressed uh through this plan um but again it's sim very similar to across the street although bigger location but again the hours of operation and the impact of the neighborhood I think was probably the most legitimate general concern.

Um but yeah and then we received quite a bit of emails at least I've received a quite bit of emails in opposition to this thank you.

Is there anyone in the audience would like to speak for or against case number one, two or three I'm gonna lump them together.

We're gonna do a uh a notice uh a recommendation after but I just at least this is the same project is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number one two or three please come to the podium.

And please state your name and address for the record please Lisa Cunningham five five two nine Bentwood drive.

Would you raise your hand do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth if so say I do I do.

Thank you.

Could you speak into the microphone so we can record this thank you.

Uh first a couple of things I'd like to address um from the attorney's perspective um you mentioned the blighted property agree it's blighted property when you don't keep the grass cut you don't keep the area um when you have broken out windows and you don't board 'em up you're gonna have crime um so I think it's been mowed twice this year.

So yeah that's bladed property but that's the property owner's problem.

Um the area's not conducive to a restaurant is another thing he said.

Um uh Texas Roadhouse is doing very well so is the chicken place down around the corner too, so um TGIs before it went under was very conducive also, so that's not accurate if either.

Um, and then he stated it would not cause an increase in traffic.

How would that not cause an increase in traffic that's already there?

The only entry would be off of Burnath.

We're not coming off of airport highway.

So we'd come off the side residential street to get into the location is what we'd be doing to get in and out, and that would create traffic there specifically on that street on Burnath.

Um no 24 operation that's exactly right.

We don't want a twenty-four hour operation.

Um do we need another car wash that was brought up that that could be used for a car wash?

Do we really need another car wash?

I don't think we do.

When he also mentioned about the neighborhood meeting.

Yes, I live on Burnath, or I mean on Bentwood, but I'm close enough that none of nobody in our street got those mailers.

I I think it was the local right the perimeter around this restaurant ro that got mailers.

We found out months later that there was a meeting.

Um I have a whole group of of people here in neighbors that are opposed to this.

They make it sound like just a few people showed up at this meeting.

We were not informed of this meeting, that's why we did not come, and I'm sorry my voice is a little thin.

But it's not that we're not interested, we do not want a car wash or a gas station.

A restaurant would be great.

Let's commercialize it and get it out there.

We just you guys just brought a big restaurant coming to or a big grocery store coming to town.

Let's advertise this spot, okay, as is a restaurant.

Um, so this disgust with all the neighbors, that's not true.

It's totally not true.

Also, I brought up at the last meeting that we were here.

We have twelve gas stations within three and a half miles of this location, twelve of them.

One, two, three, four of which are speedway stations of those twelve, four are existing speedway stations in that area.

Do we need a fifth station within three and a half miles of this location?

I don't know where this moratorium is on gas stations, but I hundred percent support this moratorium.

This is ridiculous.

We need to take ownership of our city and not to the gas stations.

That's all.

Any questions for me?

No, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for against case number one, two, or three?

Come on up.

You'll have three minutes.

And you'll have to state your name and address for the record, please.

My name is Terry Veselka.

My address is eleven fifty five Burnath Parkway.

Raise your hand, please.

Do you swear to tell truth and nothing but the truth?

If so, say I do.

I do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um I live north of where the proposed speedway is by what 12 houses, I believe.

Never got a notice.

I think that's pretty close.

I would have been at that meeting to object.

We don't need a 24-hour seven day-week speedway at the corner.

Person that lives across the street where the proposed speedway is gonna be, she already sold.

She got up and out of there before they start any construction.

I own two properties on BNAF.

Next door to me is already going up for sale.

People are they're not gonna put up with that nonsense in there.

We have there is an access off of Holland Savania Street Fire Thorn is the street.

That is a cut through street already.

So I can see already people coming down Holland Sylvania to Firethorne and then coming, right butting into my home and then turning to go to that speedway and then going out.

I mean, if you had an access and it exit on airport highway instead of in the neighborhood, it might not be so objectionable, but we don't need all that traffic.

We just it's full of kids and dogs and walkers.

It's a nice quiet neighborhood.

I moved there to renovate my home and move.

It was a a project, and I stayed because I like the quiet neighborhood.

But I want it to remain a quiet, nice neighborhood.

That's it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Anyone else?

Okay.

Um.

Councilman Martinez.

What is your what is your?

Did you want to speak again?

I I would like to, if if uh if permitted, uh, respond to a couple of these comments made because I think that's.

Absolutely.

Um I guess number one, as far as the current status and upkeep of the property, my client does not own the property at this point in time.

Um, my client is under contract to buy the property.

Um, number two, with respect to reference to other restaurants.

Um Joe, do you want to testify as to it's been on the market for three years at this point by one of the leading, if not if not the leading broker out of Cleveland for retail and restaurant type uses.

There has been no activity for that type of a use.

Um as far as the number of gas stations in proximity, yes, there are a lot of gas stations in proximity.

However, a number of those are older legacy style gas stations with very small convenience stores.

Uh the future of this industry involves larger operations that have more amenities, and that's what Speedway is seeking to build here.

Uh, and then with respect to the notice of the meeting, um my client uh sent notices for the meeting based upon the list of property owners provided by the city and actually expanded out uh to one thousand feet uh to those folks that got notice.

So sure, there were some people that didn't get notice, but there was we we complied with the law on that and actually exceeded what was required.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, councilman uh Martinez.

Uh thank you, Madam Chair.

So yeah, just I guess the point of clarification, if I'm not mistaken, it's a hundred feet from the edge of the property that people get notice.

Is that correct?

We're required to notify a butting.

I'm sorry.

We're required to notify a budding property owners.

In this case, we notified about 50 people.

We went about a block each way.

That's what I want.

I have that map here.

Okay, great.

And then uh I just kind of want to address um the gentleman's comment.

You know, so as a district rep, you know, I'm i it's an easy yes or no answer.

However, you know, we're responsible for not what's just here now, but it's the future use of what could be.

Um obviously it's like reading a crystal ball, but we have to you know make the best decisions we can given the information we have.

Is this the highest and best use of this space?

Debatable, probably not, but you know, it is willing seller, willing buyer.

So we have to be conscious of the market.

This is actually a very weird case where the SUP was denied, but everything else was approved.

Um, and I have not gone against the Planning Commission on a disapproval.

So I'm gonna make recommend to the full committee as disapproved based on the planning commission's recommendation of the disapproval and further I'm gonna recommend disapproval of um the two or the one waiver 11-06-0102, uh, and then also disapproval of waiving chapter 1107.1203, uh, which would allow for the the access and 24 hour operation.

Um that being said, I will make a recommendation for approval for um the two and three.

This is such a weird case.

So if you guys are still gonna move forward, just so you know you would that's a business decision that you guys are gonna have to move to make.

Alright, seeing no objections, so ordered.

This will go to the full city council uh on June 23rd, 2026.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Let's move on to case number four.

Clerk will be please read case number four.

And uh can the applicant for case number four please come to the podium.

Case number four is a request for a zone change from CR regional commercial to RM 36, multifamily residential for the property located at 802 and 806 Nebraska Avenue.

Case number Z 26-006.

The Plan Commission recommends approval.

Would you state your name and address for the record, please?

Yes, uh Corey Savage, 806 Nebraska Avenue, Fleet Ohio.

Thank you.

Ray's ring in, please.

Do you swear to tell truth and nothing but the truth?

If so say I do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would you tell us why you're seeking this zone change, please?

Uh yes, uh, my name is Corey Stavers.

I'm the owner of Savage Residential Care.

I own uh another property in Mississippi's uh district.

I'm a homegrown to the Ohio native.

Um reason why I'm opening up these group homes is to provide a safe structure uh environment to uh kind of community that's kind of unforgotten.

Uh has been a knee uh for this, and with this, uh I'm already working with Unison's uh left center and stuff like that.

And uh this property is about three minutes away from the Zef Center, so we can really probably uh to be able to house five me in.

Uh, have a woman's facility over on treatment in, but it would be able to house five meal with mental illnesses that range from different structures.

Thank you.

Ms.

Petrell, do you have anything to add?

So uh the reason for the zone change is a group home is not permitted in the CR zoning district.

Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number four?

Again, is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number four?

President Williams, what is your recommendation?

I send it to the Four City Council as approved.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Seeing no objections so ordered.

Thank you.

Let's move on to case number five.

Would the applicant for case number five please come to the podium?

And clerk, can you please read case number five?

Case number five is the request for a zone change from CR Regional Commercial to CR-SO regional commercial shopping center sign control overlay for the property located at 3404 3420 and 3434 West Central Avenue and 3311 C Core Road.

Case number Z 26-0007.

The plan commission recommends approval subject to one condition.

Is the applicant here, please?

Miss Catrell.

So we've been trying to contact the applicant since the hearing started to see if if he was on his way, uh he has not responded.

Uh the reason for the zone change is to allow uh the multi-tenant sign that's only permitted in the sign overlay district.

Just a point of order.

Can we uh can we make a recommendation without the applicant uh here?

I believe you've done so in the past.

Um I think it's your district council person's preference.

Okay.

All right.

Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number five?

Again, is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number five?

President Williams.

It's not my district, but I'm super excited.

Because Trader Joe's, we got it.

So, just wanted to say that.

Councilmember Melvin, what is your recommendation?

Yeah, thank you.

Um, and that's a reaction I've heard from many solid ones, Council President Williams.

Um, so what's the sorry, what was the one condition?

I believe it's for uh all sign permits to be to be submitted, but let me let me just check that.

Yes, and how would the multi-tenant sign?

How does that look?

I mean, because we've been talking about the sign code in different ways recently and not wanting to I've been very supportive of not wanting to exempt against the new code change.

I do see it on the screen now, that's lovely.

I think it's nice and so the sign will um will resemble the sign that's across the street, the same international style, the same height.

They would need the this, they were they will also need a BZA waiver for the height because it's a monument sign, but it's too big, but they they will need that waiver as well.

Okay, great.

Uh then send it forward to the full city council as approved.

Thank you.

Seeing no objection, so ordered.

Would the applicant for case number six please come forward?

And clerk?

Can you please read case number six?

Case number six is the request for the vacation of a portion of Jefferson Avenue between Water Street and the Maumee River.

Case number V-75-26.

The plan commission recommends approval subject to seven conditions.

Would you state your name and address for the record?

Yes, my name is Haley Kennedy, 29262 Stoney Hill Drive.

Thank you.

Do you swear to tell truth and nothing but the truth?

If so, say I do.

I do.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Would you um tell us why you're requesting this vacation?

Yeah, so part of Jefferson has been closed for some time now, but there is a comfort station on the left hand side.

Magazine approaching in that um on Jefferson.

So we're just wanting to create marketable title for Metro Parks.

So from the center line 17th West, we're looking to vacate that portion.

Okay.

Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak for against case number six?

Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number six?

Ms.

Catrell, do you have anything to add?

I do not.

Uh Council President Williams.

What's your recommendation?

I send it to the board revisions as approved.

Seeing no objections, so ordered.

Thank you.

We do need your signature though.

Thank you.

Would the applicant for case number seven please come forward to the podium?

And clerk, can you please read case number seven?

Case number seven is the request for a special use permit for gas and fuel sales for the property located at 5303 5303 West Bancroft Street, case number SGP 26-0008.

The plan commission recommends approval subject to 46 conditions.

Would you state your name and address for the record, please?

Yeah, my name's Kevin Brown.

Um with Scenic Architecture 325 Superior Street in Rossford.

Thank you.

And do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?

If so, say I do.

I do.

Thank you.

Tell us about your application for the special use.

Okay, my client is seeking a special use permit for a gas station at the southeast.

Um, I'm sorry, the southwest corner of um Reynolds and she sure would be Bancroft.

And um, so the reason we need a special use permit, this was a gas station going back to the 60s with the service station.

Well, he's so closed in about 19 or sorry, 2020.

And now because it's been closed long, we have to reapply for the special use permit, and really all he's doing is he's getting rid of the service portion of it.

We're gonna turn it into a convenience store and modernize it, you know, so it's really just been sent and empty for six years, and we're gonna clean it up and open again.

Okay, thank you.

Uh Ms.

Catrell, do you have anything to add?

So we had no opposition at our hearing level for this.

Um we recommended support because you're you're taking a site that's existing than vacant and you're making it better or closed two curved cuts.

Add landscaping.

Um, in the end, you're gonna get a better site rather than a vacant site, and and as I said, we had no opposition.

Thank you, council member Gaddis.

Thank you.

Um what is the size of the uh carryout?

Um it's approximately two thousand square feet.

Okay, so it'll fall under the place.

A license and a yearly review, yes.

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak for against case number seven?

Again, is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number seven?

Councilman Martinez, what is your recommendation?

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Quick question.

What is the hours of operation?

You'll be open from what six till six till about ten o'clock.

Okay.

I will send this to the committee as approved.

All right, seeing no objections, so ordered, and you do agree to the 46th condition.

Conditions.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

This will go to the full city council uh on uh the June 23rd.

We do need your signature uh if we meet Dana over on the side here.

Alright, let's move on to case number eight.

And would the applicant for case number eight, please come forward and clerk?

Can you please read case number eight?

Case number eight is the request for a special use permit for gas and fuel sales for the property located at 5305 and 5321 Monroe Street and 4700 Nantucket Drive.

The Planning Commission makes no recommendation.

There are 44 conditions of approval.

Could you tell us about your application, please?

Yeah, good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you for having me again.

I'm sorry.

I will don't worry.

And your address please.

My name's Alex Swicky from Sheets.

You can find me at 39300 West Twelve Mile Road, Farrington Hills, Michigan.

Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?

If so, say I do.

I do.

Thank you.

No.

No problem at all.

Thank you for having me again.

It's always nice to be in front of you all.

I also want to thank staff.

You guys work really diligently all the time, and this one has definitely been a winding road, so thank you for all that you guys do.

I want to take a moment to reintroduce you guys to the Sheets brand, just because this one has been a little bit of a winding road, like I said.

So I thought it'd be important for our discussions later on to remember exactly what the brand is.

And I'll be very brief.

So as you might remember, Sheets is a family name.

It was founded in 1952 by Bob Sheets, and over 75 years later now, or almost 75 years later.

And it's still family owned and operated by the Sheets family.

I can personally attest to this.

My um my supervisor is a member of the family, so they're very involved in the business every single day.

And then also inside of the business.

So the first 25 years or so, we didn't actually sell fuel.

We started as a restaurant convenience store.

So in our businesses, if you've walked into one, you know that we have full kitchens in them, and we have our MTO or made-to-order program where you can get literally 1.8 million different combinations of food outside of them.

Still don't know quite how that's possible, but man, people get some really wacky combinations when they go to town on that screen.

Um you can get that with uh uh the coffees and smoothies and all that stuff too.

Uh, we also have an array of grocery items, so sure, you can go in and get your typical convenience stuff like your chips, snacks, and drinks.

We also have bread, eggs, bacon, toilet paper, um, some things like that, all offered 247, 365.

Um, our offering is not the only way that we go above and beyond.

So if you look at our buildings, we also have um really nice looking buildings and facilities, full section brick and stone, architectural metals, um, glazing, and we take really good care of our facilities.

We also go above and beyond being a good employer.

So for the past 11 years, we have been on the fortunes list of top 100 companies to work for in the nation.

So 11 years in a row, one of the top 100 companies to work for.

If you break that down by segment, we're actually the second best retailer in the entire nation to work for.

And we offer all of our employees, you know, bonuses, stock ownership, 401ks, tuition reimbursement, PTO, medical, dental, vision, list goes on and on and on.

Um, and I I just love telling everybody how good of an employer they are because of my journey through Sheets.

So I've been with Sheets for a little over seven years now, seven and a half, and I actually started as an electrician.

I'm an electrician by trade.

Um, started there, worked in our maintenance department.

They put me through both my bachelor's and master's degrees, paid for it, and now I work in our engineering department.

They're just they're great to work for.

They also show up in extraordinary ways for our communities.

We do Sheets for the Kids, which is uh a program that's big in December, but every single store, including those here in Toledo, go and buy for local kids in the community that um uh might be in need, that way we can brighten their their holidays.

Um we do make a wish special Olympics um sponsorships.

We also donate food out of each and every one of our locations every single week, and we've done that here in Toledo uh or in Northwest Ohio here for the couple years that we've been here.

Uh we also partner with uh schools and and other organizations as such.

So to talk specifically about this uh site, and I apologize.

I'm on my phone.

My printer chose the perfect time to stop working.

Um we understand that this one's been a little bit more complicated.

Um, you know, some of the concerns that maybe some folks have had have been around traffic pollution and more broadly 24-hour operation.

I wanted to take a moment to maybe address some of those things.

So uh regarding traffic, um, the Planning commission requested that we provide them a traffic study, which we did so.

Uh that study showed that the intersection, both now and after our development would operate in an acceptable level of service.

Um, and that no traffic mitigations, uh, would be warranted.

Uh, it also proves that Sheets is a chap traffic capture, not generator.

So increases in traffic in the area are not anticipated to happen.

Despite all that, we really wanted to be a good neighbor, so we've restricted left out.

I don't know we don't have the site plan in front of us, but left out onto uh Nantucket.

This is actually not the most up-to-date site plan.

But that bottom north uh, excuse me, southwest corner, you won't be able to make a left out of it.

So it'll prevent traffic from being able to go down into the neighborhoods.

Um that's good on traffic.

Okay, regarding pollution.

So there were some topics that were brought up during the last planning commission, and I just wanted to uh set the record straight on some of the uh contamination concerns.

So when it comes to our fueling systems, and I'm going to brag a little bit here, we set the bar, we set it very high.

Um, and I could go on and on and on about our fuel systems, but they are electronically and mechanically monitored 24 7 365.

We have state certified uh people on staff that directly work for Sheets that live right here in Toledo that are trained to respond to our fuel systems again on a 24 7 365 basis.

Um also have two departments within the company that are entirely dedicated to fuel safety for both environmental protection and fuel system operation, and uh this all adds up, and I could talk on and on and on about it because I used to fix this stuff to a nearly 100% technical compliance rate with the EPA.

Nearly 100% tactical compliance rate with the EPA.

That is unheard of in our industry.

That's how safe that our systems are and how much uh pride we take in them.

And the last concern I wanted to bring up was around 24 hour operations.

Uh and most folks uh loop in several concerns in there.

So it could be noise light crime all around being 24 hours.

So when it comes to 24 hours, Sheets has been operating all of its locations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for decades.

Every single one of our locations operates this way.

And over those decades we've learned a thing or two about how to do it and how to operate.

Um, and that's evidenced by the site plan and some of the mitigations that we took there.

So if you guys look at the site plan, you'll see that the most of our operations are to the north, and there's a huge buffer to the south, preventing us or excuse me, separating us from our neighbors to the south as much as we can.

We also put our building between us and our fueling operations, which acts as a giant buffer, giant wall to prevent sound and light from coming through.

Regarding lighting, our lighting is fully compliant with uh city of Telio codes, and it's all dark sky compliant.

Uh, it's fully cut off, directed toward the ground, doesn't bleed onto adjacent properties.

Regarding crime, we have numerous systems, policies, procedures in place.

I've actually heard of stories of people using Sheets parking lots as uh online marketplace like transfer points.

You you buy something online, you guys meet at the Sheets parking lot to trade the item and the money.

Um, and I've also heard stories of people using it as custody transfer points.

I think that these stories are evidence that people generally feel safe at our facilities.

We also work very closely with local law enforcement, and we have dedicated personnel in each district, including here in Toledo, responsible for security and uh getting the stores the appropriate support that they might need.

At the end of the day, when it comes to crime, you know, sheets doesn't attract crime.

In my opinion, it's quite the opposite.

We we often deter it.

So there are two things today that we're asking you for.

First is a waiver to allow 24 hour operations, which we just kind of discussed, but um this is condition number 30, it's at the bottom of page 8-9, I believe, in your packet.

Um this property does not abut residential, which I know you all know.

The closest residential is 360 feet away, and that's property line to property line, and that's to the north across Monroe.

Uh to the south in Sylvania Township, we're actually more like 675 feet away.

Um that's much further than others in the area, and that's much further than uh this council is previously approved, even for me.

You all approved location election Alexis in the C Corps, which is only 180 feet away.

Um, almost done here.

We have uh demonstrated, you know, a success of operating our businesses 24 hours a day.

We've been doing it for decades, um, and we feel we'll be able to do it here uh very successfully.

Second thing we're asking for you today is approval of our overall special land use.

As you know, this is a regional commercial district, our uses are permitted with this special land use.

Uh we agree to 46 of the 47 conditions listed in here.

That one is the hours of operation.

Um outside all that, I just want to end with some some positive things.

Um, you know, sheets is an awesome employer, it's evidenced by our fortune ranking, and I you know you can look that up, but I want to dig a little bit deeper for you guys and talk about some of the economics.

In the Toledo area, every single sheet store contributes 1.2 million dollars in wages annually, and that's before bonuses and benefits and all that.

That's just raw wages.

1.2 million every single store in Northwest Ohio here every single year.

We're also going to be um hopefully spending 9 million dollars on construction to build this project.

Um we're going to create 30 to 35 jobs at this location, um, and they will be truly brand new jobs.

Uh the property owners have been able to successfully relocate the existing tenants in the plaza to other properties they own close by, and uh the bar 145 that the property owners also own, they were able to offer jobs to all their employees at other restaurants that they own close by.

So there wasn't any loss of jobs that we're aware of, so we're truly creating 30 to 35 brand new jobs.

With that, I know I uh drowned on there for a while.

I'm here to answer your questions.

Thank you, Ms.

Catrell.

Do you have anything to add?

I will add that the plan commission.

There was a request to remove condition number 30.

That condition was the hours of operation that ended in a 2-2 vote with the plan commission, uh, which is available vote.

Thank you.

Uh President Williams.

Thank you.

Well, you know what I'm gonna say.

So I was sent uh a list.

Hi, how are you?

Hello.

Glad to glad for you to be here to hear me talk to you.

I think you were here the last time, I said it to you then.

So I was sent a list of um things that uh sheets looks for when they look for real estate, accessibility utilities, parking traffic, acreage, and zoning.

At Monroe and Detroit, there's a right aid, and then there's a lot.

It actually totals up, I think 2.5 acres for it, and you look for one of three.

Also, too, one of them was um the traffic you wanted it to fall above eighteen thousand.

Well, at Monroe and Detroit, thirty-two thousand average daily traffic goes through there when you factor in both of them.

Perfect location for sheets.

There's the redevelopment of Swain Field that's happening.

There's the grant that was just built new housing, and the Inglewood neighborhood is growing significantly in homeownership.

OSTN is right there.

So it's a perfect location for sheets based on the criteria.

Y'all gotta quit going to places people don't want y'all and come to the place that people do, like I'm telling you.

Like you will not have NIMBYism coming over here.

You will have people coming to say, welcome, thank you.

Bring the jobs, bring the 75 years of sheets to close to downtown Toledo, which is developing the riverfront is close by.

I'm just saying, take it back to the Sheets family.

Tell them, come talk to me.

Thank you for being here.

Hopefully, we can work together to bring sheets on down.

Thanks.

I appreciate you.

Thank you.

I buy anything she's selling.

Uh councilwoman yet.

Thank you.

Um, can you tell me the size of the building, please?

It is about sixty one hundred square feet, so it would not require a license.

So it does not require.

What is that categorized as?

General retail.

So like a dollar store.

Correct.

Well, the dollar store definitions very specific.

We would be we just classify this as a grocery store or general retail.

So that would be a grocery store.

And then could you tell me um if you got any calls or emails to the office?

We've got multiple calls and emails.

Um I can't give you the exact number, but the I think we sent them up, but they're there's multiple.

Okay.

And then did you have a community uh meeting?

We did.

Um could you summarize what happened?

Unfortunately, I was not present.

Derek, were you there?

I'm gonna have uh my friend come up.

You can sort of man and I'll tell you.

Thank you.

Please state your name.

And you swear to tell the truth, nothing but the truth.

If so, say I do.

I do.

I would say there was approximately ten to fifteen people present at this meeting, maybe a little less.

Dana, the planner at the time was also there.

We had discussion, shared our plan, took their feedback.

Most of the feedback was in regards to traffic cutting through on Nantucket.

You can see on the most up to date plan that we did limit that movement out of the site.

Okay, thank you.

All right, is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against case number eight?

Please come forward, ma'am.

Please state your name and address for the record and you will be sworn in.

My name's Cheryl Baff.

I live at 4408 Nantucket Drive.

Use your right hand.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I do swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

So say I do.

I do.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

You'll have three minutes.

Um, I just uh wanna address you guys that this has been an ongoing concern for my neighborhood and our um area in the sense that we're a unique situation, so I want to make sure everybody's on the same page.

Um, we are a township, you are Lucas County.

Nantucket drive from the time it goes to the apartments back through is Savannah Township.

At one time, back in the early 70s, there was an apartment complex developed by Dunbar, and when they developed it, the street was when it was originally done, it was a drive, and a drive is no access, no thoroughfare.

And what happened is the part the housing was getting developed and there weren't a lot of houses back then to make a a big deal about anything, and the developer came in and wanted to put apartments.

So those apartments came in and they opened up the street.

Nobody could go against it or anything.

There wasn't enough people or anything, so they opened it up.

So it's not really a drive anymore.

Technically, it's more like a thoroughfare, if you will.

And with that being done, the reason why it was put over to Lucas County was because they wanted to have what do you call those uh single roof?

And the fire code of Savane Township wouldn't let it happen.

So they went to Lucas County and Lucas County opened it up, plus they were doing the dun bar development anyhow for the shopping centers and everything they had a plan.

So as far as our neighborhood has, we have watched Lucas County grow down Monroe Street, and it's impacting our street over the last sixty years.

That development has been there.

It's a beautiful neighborhood.

If you've ever driven by there, I'm sure you understand that.

We have no sidewalks.

And I uh would like to say first and foremost that that's what I'm selling you is we have a quiet neighborhood with no sidewalks.

Um 15 years ago you could probably have this done with not too many big deals because it was um older people living out their lives, and then they've recently sold their houses and it's rejuvenated again back to a community that has children, dogs, people walking all the time.

Um and we have and we have horrible traffic going down Nantucket.

Um it's ridiculous.

They go over the sp um speed limit of 25.

Savannah Township tries to do a nice job of putting police there and trying to um warn people and let people know.

But with the traffic going on in Savania, when there's any kind of traffic jam or whatever, people find our street and then they make it their everyday drive through.

The other thing I'd like to mention is that we have four gas stations and less than a half a mile away from our development.

We don't need another gas station, and we don't need another grocery store.

We have them around.

If we want to go someplace we can get there.

I appreciate sheets.

I appreciate the jobs, I appreciate what they can bring to the community.

I just don't want them on the end of Nantucket.

As far as traffic pattern, that's not a truthful statement.

Yes, you guys have done a uh commission uh a traffic study but that traffic right there is horrible.

It's horrible for State Street.

It's horrible for uh Flanders.

They're opening it up so it's gonna the streets gonna go directly to Flan Flanders and that's gonna create chaos.

It's only supposed to be a right hand turn.

So when you're sitting there and you're coming out of that you have a choice to go on to Monroe Street and go right.

You can't go left, you can go right and then you've got to come out onto Nantucket to go right to go left on the um Monroe Street.

Thank you.

They're not gonna do that.

Thank you your time is up.

And I don't appreciate that because he had a lot of time but this is I'm very passionate about this.

This has to deal with my home, my values our children in our community and I really want to make sure that you're hearing us.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak?

Please come forward.

Please state your name and address for the record.

Laura Dreheim 4425 4525 Nantucket drive.

Raise your hand please I'm sorry.

Do you solemnly spared to tell the truth and nothing but the truth of so say I do.

I do thank you.

First of all I'd like to support uh Mrs.

Williams um I think that location would be a wonderful place for a sheets and I wholeheartedly support it.

Um I do not support the sheets uh at the end of my street on Nantucket.

Um I'll try to be really quick on this I feel like it was a party that was thrown but I wasn't invited because of the sheets uh deal had been brewing for quite a while uh Eddie Lee's was was uh purchased a year ago May uh with the idea that it would be torn down for a sheets so I was not notified it it kinda was word of mouth and then over the last year we were told that the uh people who had the stores we we don't we didn't have vacant shopping center that needed to be filled like like you do ma'am uh we had wonderful shops there we had optician we had restaurants we had a financial business uh it was filled but recognized probably it didn't bring as much money in as leasing a sheets would I recognize that I'll tell you another thing is I had become an expert on mega gas stations.

This is a phenomenon for this country these mega gas stations.

People make between 30 to 50 percent on these convenience stores.

They're sold as you know well you'll be able to have a place to get chips and you'll get you get hot dogs and stuff like that.

I have I had six restaurants.

One was closed uh I have five restaurants I can walk to if I want a hamburger if I want a high edge uh meal I can go to standard I can go to beer stoop if I want a beer.

I could w will go to Gary Queen.

I can go get a donut I can walk to all those places.

We don't need more restaurants.

The country does not need this many large gas stations.

I drove down um Alexis Broad to go to my vet from Talmage to Lewis Avenue past the two sites that have already been approved I believe one somebody mentioned one for sheets.

Maybe one for can't remember.

There are two empty gas stations in that section where I drove past.

So does this make sense to you or building two mega gas stations even though there's two empty lots where gas stations were of course you probably can't build on them because the tanks are still in the ground you know until money is made available to take them out they won't be in a use to anyone.

Um cities in in Ohio and throughout the country but cities in Ohio too I know for sure.

Troy and Kettering have issued moratoriums on these large gas stations so that it can be studied.

In fact co uh Troy and Kettering have just extended their moratorium for that reason because they need to get a handle on this.

You know, it's it's kind of the new cash cow.

Cash cow for sheets.

I don't mean to align the owner.

Can't blame him for wanting to make more money on his his site, but this is going to be uh at a disadvantageous to us.

Not everybody's notified of uh this uh development and all this all the all the department renters to live around that area.

They were not notified because renters are not notified.

They're technical citizens.

Okay, your time is finished.

Oh god gone.

Uh I did contact the auditor and he gave me a list of all the empty gas stations in Lucas County.

That is a very didn't bring it with me, but that's something that somebody might want to look into as well.

You can always email us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You can always look it up too.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else that would like to speak?

Please state your name and address for the record, please.

Amber Quarter, uh, four three four seven old Lime Drive.

Please ring him.

He's swear to tell the truth, nothing but the truth.

So say I do.

I do.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Alright, um, I'm here in opposition of Sheets.

Uh my husband and I are residents of the Nantucket Rudgate Woods neighborhood.

We are concerned about the increase of traffic in our neighborhood.

My husband has a unique perspective as he works rotating swing shift, which is why he's not here today.

Um and he leaves for work between 4 a.m.

and 5 a.m.

some days.

He shared with me today as we prepped for this meeting um that several um several times he passes residents on our streets walking, running, um, or walking their dogs between the hours of four a.m.

and five a.m.

when most of the residents are asleep.

Um we know that this development of sheets will increase the traffic in our residential area that does not have sidewalks.

It is also not built for any more traffic than it currently has.

With the Monroe Street Bridge down, um our the Whiteford Road and our neighborhood has seen an influx of traffic.

It has led to speeding, um, multiple running of stop signs, and the Savania Township having to patrol the area more.

There was a traffic study done.

However, that was at the corner of Monroe Street and Nantucket.

It did not go into Savania Township uh or further down on Nantucket.

During a prior hearing, the representative from Sheets stated that they were not considering a plan without access or to or from Nantucket, because there had already been an existing um entrance or exit there.

I would like to state that that driveway that was or is on Nantucket was to a restaurant that had very limited hours of 4 p.m.

to 9 p.m.

So when there was a driveway placed onto Nantucket, it was for very limited operation.

The existing plaza on the opposite side um has continued to see residential or sorry, restaurants come in and out, including the new development of a Taco Bell a few years ago.

That Taco Bell parking lot did not add to the driveway um exits or entrance onto Nantucket.

It did make them divert further from Nantucket actually by having uh patrons go back around the building to leave the area.

Um Hobby Lobby and a dance studio are also um patrons there in that area, doctor's office or dentist with limited hours.

Um businesses that um are on the Monroe Street corridor there are usually limited to 8 a.m.

to 10 p.m.

And that's actually a stretch.

I've sat at the street light by Monroe and Nantucket, taking my children to school, going to Arbor Hills down the road, and Monroe Street was very um I'm gonna say dead.

There was not a lot of traffic there at 8 a.m.

This all being said, um not only do we feel the traffic to Nantucket um is irrelevant.

It doesn't need to come down our residential neighborhood.

Um, but we also feel that there's no need for a twenty-four seven operation, uh, as we do have traffic in that neighborhood, walkers, dog walkers, people riding their bikes to school.

Um, but the businesses are not even open.

Uh your your time is spinning.

Oh, okay.

I apologize.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against?

Okay.

Come on up.

Please state your name and address for the record please.

Jeff Mason 4802 South Bridge, Toledo Ohio 43623.

Raise your right hand please you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth if so say I do.

I do.

Thank you.

We have listened to just about everything pros and cons, mostly cons, and even with the speedway situation.

So we know just about all of the objections.

But I just have a few things to add.

Number one, the portrayal of Sheets is a wonderful family organization can be doubted by some I looked up on Reddit and Facebook and all of the employees that had worked for Sheets or worked for Sheets had nothing but negatives to say.

Most of the employees uh don't want to work all night.

They don't want to come in and Sheets uh has a high turnover very transient workforce um numbers of uh employees that uh would go back to sheets was zero.

Number two, when we look again at the traffic congestion in this area statesville across the street hasn't been talked about much.

Right now it's a cut through between Lasky and Monroe Street.

They're car after car after car going through this small neighborhood this will double the traffic or triple the traffic on Statesville because it's a cut through and goes directly into Sheets so what we have here is really a a gas war between speedway and sheets they're trying to uh build as many as they can and um I don't know that it's really beneficial to the city of Toledo it doesn't really provide more jobs it just dilutes the present jobs that are in effect.

So that's pretty much everything that I have to add to the situation but we are definitely against the location of Sheets in our neighborhood.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

At this time I'd like to bring up Gary Stockey.

Gary, can you come up and talk to us a little bit about your um traffic study and any observations you have about some of the concerns that have been raised.

Yeah Gary Stooky and with the City of Toledo Division of uh traffic management they did a traffic study uh we supplied actually supplied the traffic counts at the intersection of uh Nantucket and Monroe uh we had just unfortunately and we just done by chance had just counted it this past year um and looking at it and the amount of traffic that is on it and with the traffic that was already there from you know Eddie Lee's as a restaurant bar for four four one nine um and all the other things is there gonna be an increase in traffic yeah a little bit you know coming in and out more than like I I we can't you know totally guarantee but it was very negligible and majority of that is going to come in off Monroe Street.

Um we do want you know access onto Nantucket from the Sheets for the reason of it's a traffic signal to get out onto Monroe Street.

Otherwise you know these people coming in and out of Sheets would you know be trying to get out in an unsignalized intersection, which is just isn't as safe.

Um we had, you know, we did look at, you know, down Nantucket, you know, there are speed bumps along Nantucket between uh Monroe and Sylvania.

There's also numerous stop signs to help control traffic and to try to deter people from cutting through.

Um I we don't see we don't believe um that that much traffic is going to come over from Sylvania to come up to go to you know the sheets there.

Um but you know, there are probably some.

And actually, you know, they're also going from uh I believe there's like six curb cuts out there currently.

They're taking it down to two.

Um, which does help for safety uh on that in that section, um, especially on Nantucket.

There were like I said, I think there were four of them there going to one.

So I mean, you know, we feel that, you know, the sheets gas station is not going to create a traffic issue uh at the signal or uh, you know, up and down Monroe Street.

Thank you.

Mr.

S uh Councilman's rounds.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I had a question from Mr.

Stucky.

Did the traffic study take into consideration statesville going into Monroe Street where the shopping center is?

Uh into states.

We did I mean we the traffic count do show that they do anticipate some traffic coming up and down Statesville, but that was like I say very minimal.

Majority of their traffic, you know, is going to be generated coming off traffic coming down Monroe Street and turning in there.

Okay.

Thank you for clarifying.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

Thank you.

Council member Melvin.

Thank you so much, Chair.

Um, just a couple questions, not necessarily Gary, thank you.

Um just real quickly on the numbers.

Was it a nine million dollar construction?

Is that what you said?

Uh yes, sir, nine million dollars in construction.

Thirty to thirty-five jobs wasn't the construction jobs, that was once the stores open, employees.

Correct, thirty thirty-five employees.

Do you have a total income tax generation amount on that store?

You said it was an average of a million plus or something.

Uh wages paid per store in Northwest Ohio.

I think income tax, I'm sorry, that would be wonderful.

But that would be wages paid in Northwest Ohio, then 1.2 million per store, what the tax plays on that, I don't have any questions.

Yeah, no, we'll we we can figure out part out.

Um that was my question for you, thank you.

Yes sir.

Um Director Control, I have a quick question.

How long have you been?

This is not to be like some weird like this is just a request I have a question.

How long you've been doing what you do?

Thirty-one years.

That's okay.

That's okay.

How often do you think you can think about something where this body approves something and almost 100% of the resident voice isn't represented by this body.

It's happened just a handful of times in 30 years, probably four times.

Do you know you understand the question I think?

The dynamic that's very interesting about this is that all the residents who spoke against it.

I I totally appreciate your perspective.

Um I had an interesting conversation with one of your representatives, Sylvania Township trustee uh Genoine this week.

Um and we had a really interesting I mean he's for this project just for what it's worth.

Um and we had an interesting conversation and I started what really kind of like pivoted something for me.

I'm just gonna give you my thought process here.

Is when I mentioned as anyone knows, and if you're not following Toledo City Council news all the time, you may not know this about me.

One of my highest priorities is always pedestrian safety on what can be cut through roads.

Um I live near one, we have several in my district.

It is a real concern of mine.

It is why I think that sheets should get some credit, by the way, for that no left turn thing.

That's a that's a big deal.

That actually is uh makes a difference on the on traffic and neighborhood, you know, quality of life and safety.

But I had a conversation with Mr.

Genoine and I said, I wonder what we could do um to Nantucket to make it more pedestrian friendly.

And I don't want to put words in his mouth, but he did not necessarily agree with them what would have been some of my tactics just for what that's worth.

And the speed limit's already twenty five, it's tough to really go lower than that.

Um, although I want I want to.

Um and so it was just interesting.

And what I realized in that moment in the conversation with Mr.

Genoine was we have different incentives.

We're we're thinking about it from different perspectives.

Um and I just think that that is actually relevant here, and it is a very unique instance where I am thinking always I have to think about the people that I represent.

We're in a representative democracy.

People voted for me to show up here and think about their best interests.

And I've had very few of those residents talk to me about this project.

The reason I bring with the point with Director Catrell, thank you for that insight is this I think this case shows an interesting kind of wrinkle in our system which is I wonder if at the community meeting all the Sylvania Township trustees were there and I wonder what they think about this project because they're the ones that should truly be representing your interests.

I I appreciate that.

And I'm just I'm just letting you know that is an interesting thing.

So for me as I think about this decision what are some of my priorities and it is what are the income taxes that are going to be generated here.

And it is what is the net benefit to the city of Toledo that we represent uh in this in this project um you know there's been a theme through this meeting today of like well we don't want this we want that instead I mean trust me I I under I understand that perspective one of the benefits of someone investing in a property is you get to decide often what to do with your investment.

Um it reminds me of a conversation I had with the senior center at Glass Peaks when the restaurant was coming in next to the culvers and I had this conversation with one of the residents there and I said if you had earned money and invested in a property and then you wanted to do something new with the property do you think you should be allowed to do that.

And she said yeah.

I mean I said as long as it's within certain parameters.

And that's what this process is I'm not trying to say the most obvious thing in the world I'm just trying to point out the actual situation that we're in.

And the reason that I'm interested in moving this project forward I'm you did not call the question yet is because the net benefit to the city of Toledo in my opinion is clear.

Um one last clarification, Director um you mentioned condition thirty on the twenty four hour piece was a two-two tie as was the overall case correct and then at the in the end based on law's advice the two two tie uh we they went back and took a vote to forward without recommendation that was four to zero that's how that vote came to be the overall case to send the overall case without recommendation was four zero.

Yeah correct so they agreed on not taking a position right well that's good.

They were unanimous to let us decide.

Cool.

Correct thank you.

I what I am commenting on is the accuracy of the statement that the vote to send it to us without recommendation was four zero.

Correct.

That's what I was asking thank you.

I'm gonna defer.

No, you can't speak out of turn.

Um you've already had a chance to be at the microphone.

We don't take testimony that is not on the record.

Would anyone like to say can I finish real quick?

Yeah I'm I I'm my wife always tells me wrapping up Sam.

I'm almost done.

Wrap it up Sam.

Thank you.

Um I just I just wanted to make that point about the the two two thing because that is that is also an interesting and unique situation.

I've already said how I feel about that.

But the fact that it comes forward to this body with no recommendation my last clarification is if I say send it to the council as approved that also includes approving condition thirty.

Or do we have to articulate that specifically?

I think we're gonna need to articulate that because that was also a two-two tie and they did not vote further on that.

Okay.

Well I'm gonna need the l legal kind of clarity on that so we know what we're actually asking when that time comes I would also point out that up the street not very far there is a gas station that's twenty four hours.

Whiteford Monroe I think.

Yeah.

Okay.

Just just making sure that that's that that's true.

Also not in the city of Toledo, but um okay.

That's all for me.

I know you want to go back to public comment.

I appreciate that.

Thanks.

Yeah.

Is there anyone in the audience who hasn't spoke before who would like to speak for or against.

Please state your name and address for the record, please.

George Simon 4442 West Alexis, Toledo, Ohio, four three six two three.

You swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

If so say I do.

I do.

Thank you.

Um thank you for uh for letting me speak today.

Um I am the uh uh with my business partner, Andy Grombacher, the owners of uh the property at five three oh five Monroe Street and um also the owners of uh the bar 145 that um we recently uh closed and I guess I just wanted to um you know it's been uh quite a process, something new for me.

I've never had to deal with this kind of stuff.

So I wanted to just uh um, you know, we did a lot of homework, um we've had a lot of calls about the property, um people that wanted to come and do things there, everything from you know uh drug rehab centers to um, you know, big we we actually looked at doing a huge outdoor music venue there we have to re purchase Eddie Lee's to to do something fun outdoors, but um, you know, I I um then we met with Sheets and we decided that based on um you know our future plans we thought that they were the the best business partner that we could um uh do a lease with and and that's why we pursued that.

So um number one it closed four access points on Nantucket.

Um and then we also felt that um, you know, just it's far enough away.

I know there's a lot of I believe I sent all of you a um an email with the proximity of gas stations to residential and how far we are where there's some that are uh 32 feet away and they're open 24 hours, so I just hope that that gets some consideration.

Um I used to live back in the Nantucket area also, and I I guess I just wanted to um, you know, as the owner of bar 145 over the years, you know, people would leave that place drunk all the time.

Shame on them.

Um, but they would all turn left on to Nantucket and drive through the neighborhood.

Um and so uh, you know, from a safety standpoint, I would think that you're not gonna have that anymore, and you're you're looking at a much safer um avenue.

Um, you know, I we actually myself and uh and Andy, we went to um we actually went to the Sheets or to the nursing home um at Sylvania McCord, which I'm not sure if you know, but they share a driveway with the nursing home.

The only way you can get into Sheets office Sylvania Avenue is um is um you know drive pulling into the nursing home driveway.

And so we asked them about their relationship with Sheets and uh they actually wrote us a letter and I'd like to share that um with you, but this is from the uh Charter Senior Living.

It's a to whom it may concern that charter senior living, we value the positive relationship we built with Sheets.

Their team has always been welcoming and accommodating when we bring residents by for afternoon snacks and outings.

Um they help create enjoyable experience for the seniors we serve.

Their staff consistently treats our residents and staff members with kindness and patience, which makes those visits even more meaningful.

Um beyond day-to-day interactions, Sheets has also been supportive of fundraising efforts within our community by contributing to special events and initiatives.

Sir, your time is on.

You can go ahead and forward us the letter if you would like.

Okay, thank you so much for your time and uh have a great day.

Thank you.

I'm gonna open it up one more.

Please state your name and address for the record.

Andrew Grumbacher, 9533 Sweetwater.

So say I do.

I do.

Go ahead, sir.

I'd just like to summarize all of the points that have been made today.

You know, we appreciate all of the neighboring people, but we also have to rely on the professionals doing their jobs, and the professionals have stated that there's not a traffic increase from this.

Again, she can believe that, but the professionals that you ri rely on state it differently.

Um with that, we've also agreed to no left turn on to Nantucket just to help satisfy some of those concerns, which they didn't have to do.

The map that we sent to everybody with the 24 hour use nearby.

If you look to the south, every single unit is closer than ours.

We're farther than every single unit to the south.

To the north, 20 of 24 are closer than us.

So again, we're nowhere near closer to the residents than anybody.

The staff recommended approval because it's a major commercial corridor, and residents don't abut to the site.

Last thing I want to point out is in 2022, council passed an ordinance for convenience stores and gas stations to abide by certain rules and regulations.

And in May of this year, we're still have a majority not meeting that compliance.

I find it ironic that our first people today talking for the speedway use sheets as the benchmark.

They said they want to look like sheets, okay?

So we're not talking about people that aren't complying with what the city wants on top of revenues that are brought in and things like that.

So, you know, with that, I just ask you to know that we meet all of the prerequisites that were asked upon.

We went above and beyond with some of our no-lapters and other things that I hope we all take that into consideration, you know, with our vote.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And for the applicant, do you agree to the 44 conditions of approval?

We agree to everything except condition number 30 hours of operation.

Thank you.

Council member Melbourne.

What is your recommendation?

Thank you, Chair.

So just to get the clarity on what I'm saying here, am I talking about the condition as well?

Do you need that official recommendation?

We need a recommendation whether you want to keep that condition limiting the hours from 1 to 5 30 p.m.

It would close.

That's the current condition.

Yeah.

So I would like to send it to the full city council as approved.

And how do I how do you how do you actually need me to say this?

Because I'm just I want to say without condition 30, essentially.

So I think send it to full city council as approved amending and removing condition 30.

Sure.

Do you need me to say that again?

That opens up.

Great.

I do would like I would like to do that.

That is what I would like to do.

Okay.

Seeing no objections.

So ordered.

Um you would need to sign uh paperwork over here, and this will go to the full city council uh on June 23rd.

June 23rd.

Thank you everyone for your time.

Let's move on to case number nine.

Mr.

Trump.

So we are the applicants for case number nine.

This is the request for a study of native plants.

And I have Lisa Carter for my staff here who can give a quick summary on that.

Would you please, if you have outstanding uh conversations, would you please take them out into the lobby?

We do have more on our agenda that we have to complete.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Um, as requested, the plan commission staff completed a study to include requirements in the sub in our zoning code for native plants.

As part of our study, the staff reviewed comparable municipal zoning holds as well as consulted with local organizations and experts.

We found that there is a trend for municipalities to encourage and require native plants and plants that are beneficial to pollinators because of the increasing importance of native plants in supporting our unique area biomes and ecosystems.

Native plants are important because they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

They provide soil stabilization and erosion control, they improve water and air quality, and they support area wildlife and local biodiversity.

Staff is therefore recommending modifications to include native plant regulations in section 1108.0400 of the planning and zoning code as shown in exhibit B that we sent out in the staff report.

So I'm just gonna go and highlight the major points of what we're adding, and that is letter A, where it currently says adapted to local area.

We're actually adding adapted to the local climate and water availability.

So we've seen changes in our temperature and precipitation over the last number of years, and we assume that that's going to continue.

So changing it to local area to water and climate will help to make that flexible so that it can potentially cover additional species as those things change.

We are also adding letter C, which says native plants and pollinators are strongly preferred.

One of the things that we did do when we did the study is we did find that there are a number of agencies out there that have multiple resources on native plants and are very knowledgeable about native plants and the species.

So at this time, while we're saying that we want to strongly prefer to have native plants and pollinators, we're not specifically coming up with a list that says these are the plants that we want to allow.

Instead, we're adding in there that it will be based on species that are classified by the United States Department of Agricultural's Natural Resources Conservation Services and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves or some other authority deemed acceptable by the planning director.

So we will have that recommendation in there based on the lists that are currently already out there.

And then we also have some maintenance requirements that are proposed as part of that.

We do have a tree species list for street trees that was approved in 2015.

So we're citing that as well as the City of Toledo's Toledo Municipal Code that says what you can do for street trees.

There are some street trees that the City of Toledo specifically says are not suited for the street area because of height and things that might impact underground and above ground utilities.

The last change that we're proposing has to do with letter H, and that is to encourage biodiversity and prevent the spread of future plant flight by discouraging the use of species of only having one species of tree and or shrubs.

So, like we had the emerald ash or that came through a number of years ago, and basically if the whole site has ash trees they had to come down, we're currently struggling with boxwoods or a shrub that's used quite often, and they're seeing the disease as a blight.

It's called boxwood blight.

So that could potentially wipe out an entire species.

So with letter H, we're asking to have more biodiversity and ask for additional species.

So those are the major changes.

The only thing that I'd like to add, the staff member that was working on this originally had connected with the University of Toledo Environmental Sciences Capstone class.

And so that class will be providing to help with people who are going to put native plants on their properties.

They're putting together a guide on how to take care of native plants, and then they're also doing a decision tree that will help you say if this is your property based on where your property is and your soil characteristics, what plants are native plants are best suited for your site.

So those are basically um the things that we're recommending to add to the landscape standards covering native plants, and I'd be glad to answer any questions if you have any specific questions.

Councilman Microsoft.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Uh, this is awesome.

Uh put me on that list because I have like a hundred and fifty linear feet that I gotta fill up with native something.

Um, that being said, and all jokes aside, I guess my question is so when we're thinking about native plants, are we looking at I'm gonna go back to Anthony Waintrail?

Because I'm trying to save the butterflies.

But main medians, and to help reduce overall maintenance cost of our boulevards or anything like that.

Are we having any requirements for municipal planting, native planning or anything like that, or recommendations?

So we don't we don't in this specific um language, but I do believe part of um the environmental services division that they kind of accept a lot of those practices like they would have been part of in this review, and um they are looking at those kind of things when they do installations um in different rain gardens and uh things that go on around the city, but we don't have specific requirements for the city, but it would definitely be a a great policy to have.

That's what I was alluding to.

I'm wondering if maybe this body should do some sort of memorandum or something to force the fact that we should start really, really, really considering uh using native planning in our boulevards and other uh areas, especially since the reduced cost of maintenance and grass is very expensive and we're on a very austere budget moving forward for the next ten years from what I can tell.

So uh thank you so much for all your hard work and I sincerely appreciate this.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Gabbett.

Thanks, thank you for this.

And um following the same sentiments as Councilman Martinez, I just wondered how this would impact complete streets.

I have um Broadway looks great, but nobody's taking care of the grass, so um I think that if we're going to be doing this uh be redoing streets in massive capacities, that this has to be a strategic part of those discussions, um, so whatever that bridge looks like county in.

Um will this be suggested for new developments as they're coming across, or is this an option?

So it these are in our standard landscape regulations, so they would be for any new development comes in, they would be need to meet these material standards, but the way that it's written, most of it is um we strongly encourage, we recommend.

However, I um I didn't say before, but it it's important to point out that we do have one incentive already built into our zoning ordinance, and that is irrigation.

Um where originally you had to put uh a typical underground irrigation system, and we did amend our zoning code.

I don't know if it was last year, um, to include the incentive that if you had a certification by a landscape architect that you had native plants and you met that requirement that you would not be required to have irrigation.

So it is a great I feel like that's a great incentive um to while we say just encourage it's an incentive to have people do it as we have seen in the past a number of people asking for waivers from the irrigation requirements um so that they if they did put in native plants, so I think um it's it's caught it it's part of a result of seeing that happen that it is an incentive to do so.

Yeah, that's really smart.

I think anything we make going forward if we can have incentives, whether it's through our sustainability efforts or however we can push it through zoning, I think that that could only strengthen um a lot of the other things we're doing with the I mean, every year we sign the butterfly, we do a B thing, we do, I mean, bringing everything together.

This is the great uh way to help move that forward.

So thank you for your hard work.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Council member um Colme.

Thank you.

Of course I'm delighted to see this.

Um, thanks to Zina for all of her hard work and uh making this happen and thanks for picking up the torch uh on her behalf.

Uh, real quick, I just have to note that she wrote every single one of those.

She hand wrote her comments today, which I think is amazing.

I just want to say that out loud.

I love it.

Um that's very sustainable of you.

Um, but at any rate, uh, I too worked with Dana and the students from the capstone class.

Uh really excited about their efforts.

We are working on hosting them at a sustainability commission or excuse me sustainability committee hearings, which I'm hopefully in July, so we can really talk about how this partners.

Um the decision tree and the the items that they created for us will also be posted on our website soon um for people to see uh the majority of their impacts uh and the work that they focused on had to do with um our bike lanes.

So thinking specifically like the UT trail and just talking about what native plantings would look like along those so we can stop mowing it and spending money doing so.

Um it also included some educational signage and some other things.

So there's a lot of good stuff to come from that.

Um, but I also agree that we need to hold I mean I I assume that any new development by the city, if we bought a building, if we did whatever, we'd also have to comply with this regulation.

So the good news is that moving forward that is the case, but um interesting to think about boulevards.

Thanks for bringing that up.

I will also say that uh we've been working within the parks division to identify areas within our parks that we can convert into native spaces, natural spaces.

Um, uh prairie areas, these are that, you know, the the parts of the parks where people aren't necessarily gathering or on foot often, so we have a real opportunity which would also lessen our reliance on mowing.

So um this is just uh great continuation of all the work that we're heading on.

I hope one day we can make the language maybe a little stronger and require.

Um, but I understand the attempt to try to incentivize for the time being.

Um, but yeah, I think there's a lot of room to grow on this, uh off of this, and I'm just really excited and grateful.

I just wanted to express that.

Um you can also see an example of boxwood blight by driving by the library.

They have a set of boxwoods um along one side of the library and several of them.

You can see the disease literally spreading along as it goes.

Yeah.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Um, I can tell you that um, you know, we recently redid Lewis uh Avenue and they put in these little strips of grass.

And so in the past, this is never they've never had little strips of grass, so therefore the businesses don't want to mow them.

Um, and so then they look awful.

Um, and so having some type of like ornate praxes or something that would be um easy just to maintain that wouldn't need water, I mean that wouldn't need any of the care.

I think that would be helpful in a lot of these um, you know, these new redesigns.

Um I will say thank you for talking about the prohibited street tree list, because I tell you what, these sweet gum trees that are on Elinor, I just want to scream.

They're just awful, they're ankle twisters, and um they get into the the sewers and it's just annoying.

So um, but there's a whole bunch.

I mean, tree of having there's so many of them.

So um thank you for providing this because I think this is really beneficial.

Alright, let's move on to um number eleven.

I'm sorry, number ten.

So uh updates on studies, I'll keep it quick.

I'm sure everyone wants to go.

Zonic code update is coming soon.

Uh we're about to sign the contract.

We will announce the consultant within the next week or so.

So that's gonna move forward.

The next text amendments you're gonna see are the sign code amendment and then certificates of appropriateness uh removing the the restrictions on retroactive certificates of appropriateness in the historic districts.

You're also gonna see large composting facilities, adding those under special uses and um relaxing the site plan restrictions on industrial sites.

And the healthy food overlay is also coming.

And number 11, uh reviewing upcoming moratorium exploration date.

So we are on track to at least get the first set of local landmark designations, uh, the first five or six, maybe the even the first ten completed before the moratorium expires.

Um that will go to Board of Rewards next week to our after after the ordinance is passed that we talked about in agenda review yesterday, we'll then take that uh consultant to board of Awards.

We've already picked the consultant, we just need to get the approval and that'll move forward.

Okay, thank you.

Seeing no further business, this meeting is adjourned.