Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission met on July 22, 2026, to consider several zoning and planning matters. The meeting began with the approval of minutes from previous meetings, followed by consideration of four cases: two comprehensive plan and zoning resolution rewrites for Richville Township and the Village of Berkey, a zoning amendment for Harding Township, and a controversial sign text amendment for Waterville Township. All cases were approved, with the Waterville Township sign amendment passing over staff's recommendation of disapproval on a 7-2 vote.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval – The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the April 22, 2026, and June 24, 2026, meetings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jerry Parker (representing Mr. Bolan and Mr. Moline, property owners) spoke in favor of the Waterville Township sign text amendment (Case Z22 C142), arguing that townships cannot prohibit outdoor advertising under Ohio law and that limiting the amendment to two electronic signs along U.S. 24 is a reasonable restriction. He stated that the township trustees he spoke with supported the proposal.

Discussion Items

• Case Z34 C38 – Richville Township / Village of Berkey Comprehensive Plan Rewrite – Doug Ronald from Richfield Township presented the plan. Staff recommended approval. No public opposition. The commission voted unanimously to approve.
• Case Z34 C39 – Richville Township Zoning Resolution Rewrite – Staff recommended approval. No public comments. The commission voted unanimously to approve.
• Case Z37 C38 – Harding Township Zoning Amendment (Cottage Industries and Marijuana Facilities) – Sue Tres, zoning inspector for Harding Township, spoke in support of staff's recommendation. The commission voted unanimously to approve.
• Case Z22 C142 – Waterville Township Sign Text Amendment (Two Electronic Signs Along U.S. 24) – Staff recommended disapproval, citing that the proposed signs would be the largest and tallest billboards in Lucas County. Jerry Parker argued the township’s limitation to two signs is a valid exercise of its authority. Commissioner Padewski questioned whether the request originated from the township or from the applicant, and staff confirmed it was initiated by the applicant. Commissioner Melchinski noted that no other township in the county allows such signs. Commissioner Rombeck raised concerns about the legality of restricting to only two signs, and staff acknowledged it could be challenged. The commission moved to approve the amendment, passing by a vote with two opposed (Commissioners Pinowski and Rombeck)

Key Outcomes

• Case Z34 C38 – Approved unanimously. The Richville Township / Village of Berkey comprehensive plan rewrite will be implemented.
• Case Z34 C39 – Approved unanimously. The Richville Township zoning resolution rewrite will be adopted.
• Case Z37 C38 – Approved unanimously. Harding Township will add cottage industries and marijuana facilities to its zoning resolution.
• Case Z22 C142 – Approved 7-2. The text amendment allowing two electronic messaging signs along U.S. 24 in Waterville Township will be sent back to the township for further action.