Village approves rezoning property

FORT RECOVERY — The village stuck to its decision.

Fort Recovery Village Council approved amendments to the village’s zoning map and regulations on a first reading, rezoning the property at 105 S. Elm St. to commercial and prohibiting first-floor residential use in central commercial district buildings.

Council discussed the topic at a meeting Jan. 20 during which it agreed to move forward with the ordinances, going against a recommendation from Fort Recovery Planning Commission to deny the zoning map amendment petition from property owners Brandon and Amanda Wyerick to change the property from residential to commercial.

The Wyericks are renovating the former Christ Chapel church on the property into an event center called Elm and Ivy.

Plan commission members, including mayor Dave Kaup and Neal Spencer, explained Jan. 20 if the Wyericks were to sell their property in the future, the new owner could turn the property into any of the permitted uses in the commercial district zoning rules. They include various public, recreational, business, retail, service and entertainment uses.

Amanda Wyerick asked council Jan. 20 to rezone the property as commercial.

“Here’s the reason — history and location,” she said. “It hasn’t been a single-family residence in all of its history, over 120 years.”

Discussion came up from adjoining property owner Edna Heitkamp on Jan. 20 about potential liabilities. Brandon Wyerick noted that he is required to set up buffers — fences, shrubbery or other barriers — along property lines abutting residential properties if the property is rezoned as commercial.

Also Monday, village council learned of Tom’s Construction plans to begin reconstruction work on Butler Street between Fort Site and Main streets in March, several months earlier than expected.

The $1.4 million project, partially funded by an Ohio Public Works Commission grant, calls for an “improved aggregate base and asphalt” to handle heavy truck traffic each day, as well as the following: improved curbs and sidewalks, replacing the water main pipe, new service taps at adjoining properties including a tap for fire protection at Fort Recovery Morvilius Opera House; and a new traffic signal, pedestrian crossing equipment and fixtures at the intersection of Butler and Wayne streets.

Also, Fort Recovery Police Chief Jared Laux noted the village swore in new officer Don Bird on Feb. 1. Bird, a Fort Recovery resident, has worked in law enforcement for 13 years, previously for Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and St. Henry Police Department.

In other business, village council:

•OK’d transferring $100,000 from the general fund to the street repair maintenance fund

•Heard Mercer County Commissioners approved the annexation of approximately 7.417 acres in Gibson Township. Diller noted the village must wait 60 days after commissioners’ approval before passing an ordinance accepting the annexation and setting zoning classifications. The annexation will be in effect 30 days after village council approves that ordinance. Properties included are Miracle Lanes, Mercer Health Medical Group, a portion of Wendel Poultry’s property and a lot owned by Fred Westgerdes.

•Approved a $14,912.50 bill from PMG Consulting for Shoaf Consulting’s work on water plant improvements designs.

•Heard construction on a sidewalk along Sharpsburg Road connecting to Fort Recovery Middle School and Elementary — it’s a Safe Routes to School project — likely won’t begin until 2027. Other projects through the 100% state-funded grant include safety improvements at the First and Butler streets intersection near Fort Recovery High School and safety enhancements at the five-point intersection of Butler, Boundary, William and Third streets.

•Approved a $3,937.09 bill from Eagon and Associates for the site study to determine a location for a third well in the village.

•Heard the village is looking for park department employees for the summer as well as a local resident to fill a vacant position on Fort Recovery Cemetery Board.