Licking Today

The City is working with ZoneCo to update the Zoning Code, which was originally adopted in 1975 with text amendments over the years as needed.  It has been a priority of the City to update the Zoning Code based on recommendations of recent City planning documents (the Future Land Use Plan and Community Action Plan (PDF)) and to implement community goals. Prior to the start of the update to the Zoning Code, ZoneCo created a Diagnostic Report of Zoning Code (PDF) by reviewing the current Zoning Code.  This report is an assessment of the extent to which the Zoning Code advances or acts as a barrier to the land use principles and planning vision set forth in the planning documents.  As the City began the process of crafting new, modern, streamlined zoning regulations, the Report was an important first step in illuminating the strengths and weaknesses of the Zoning Code as it relates to the Plans.

Proposed Timeline for the Zoning Code Review

June 1 – Administrative Draft of the Zoning Code introduced in its entirety to the public during the Planning Commission meeting

June 1 through July 1:  Public comments submitted on-line on each Article or the proposed Zoning Map below (which are then provided to Planning Commission and City Council weekly).  Public comment acceptance on-line ends on July 1. However, there will still be work sessions and public hearings for further opportunities for public input.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 19:  City Council held a Committee Of The Whole meeting on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 5:30 PM, before the start of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting, in the Council Chamber, 304 North Church Street, to continue discussion of the Zoning Code update.  This was a work session, with no public comment taken. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s YouTube Channel.  Council stated this would be its last work session and that all recommended document edits were sent to ZoneCo, the company who wrote the proposed Zoning Code.  ZoneCo will create a clean draft of the edits for public circulation likely sometime in January of 2023.  City Council would also like to hold a public forum regarding the proposed Pedestrian Residential District in February, which will be announced once determined. 

*This schedule is subject to change and will be edited as any changes are known after City Council meetings.    

Past Presentations

ZoneCo held their first presentation to introduce the proposed new Districts and Zones on October 11, 2021.  ZoneCo held their second presentation to introduce uses and definitions on February 16, 2022.  City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning of Appeals and members of the public were invited to the presentation at the Veteran’s Building in City Park.  

The most recent presentation was held on June 1, 2022.  ZoneCo reviewed the remaining proposed sections of the new Zoning Code.  City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning of Appeals and members of the public were invited to the presentation at the Simpson Building in Simpson Garden Park.  This meeting was not livestreamed or recorded, since this building does not have the technology to do so.  Follow the links below to all presentations:

Zoning Code Update - June 1 Presentation (PDF)

Zoning Code Update - February 16 Presentation (PDF)Zoning Code Update - Video of February 16 Presentation (YouTube)

Zoning Code Update - October 11 Presentation (PDF)Zoning Code Update - Video of October 11 Presentation (YouTube)

Please contact the Planning Department with any questions at (419) 354-6218 or by Email.

Please note the visuals and proposed districts throughout presentations, including the zoning map, are conceptual ideas from the consultants and are fluid subject to public input and comment.  A public review draft ordinance will be released by sections for public review and input.

Draft Code

The draft Zoning Code Articles and the proposed Zoning Map are listed below.  All on-line comments received through July 1, 2022 were forwarded to City Council, Planning Commission, ZoneCo and the Planning Department.  Opportunities for continued comments will be at future meetings.     

DRAFT Bowling Green Zoning Code - June 1, 2022 (PDF)

TABLE OF CONTENTS (PDF)

ARTICLE I: Introduction To Using This Code (PDF)

ARTICLE II: District and Zone Regulations (PDF)

ARTICLE III: Uses (PDF)

ARTICLE IV: Generally Applicable Standards (PDF)

ARTICLE V: Nonconformities (PDF)

ARTICLE VI: Administration and Procedures (PDF)

ARTICLE VII: Glossary of Terms (PDF)

DRAFT ZONING MAP (PDF)

Interactive Map

The City has also created an Interactive Map, so property owners can click on a property to see the current zoning and the proposed zoning classification.  Articles II and III can be reviewed to learn more about the proposed Districts and Zones, along with the proposed permitted and conditional uses, minimum lot sizes, minimum building setbacks, maximum heights, etc. 

Public Comments

Residents are encouraged to review slides and/or watch videos of past meetings and presentations, read through the drafts, and participate in live meetings when able.  On-line comments were accepted until July 1, 2022.  Additional opportunities for public input will be available at meetings, as outlined under the proposed timeline above.  

Online Comments Received - Zoning Code Update (PDF)

Comments can also be emailed to City Council, mailed or dropped off to 304 North Church Street (Planning Department, 2nd Floor or placed in the drop box outside), or at a future City Council meeting (public hearing not yet scheduled). 

Original source can be found here.