PERRYSBURG, Ohio — People in Perrysburg have one last chance to voice their ideas for how a plot of land on Eckel Junction Road should be used.
It's been a source of controversy for months now.
A decision on re-zoning the area of land behind the Costco could happen as soon as Tuesday. The public can voice their concerns during a 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the city council chambers in the city's municipal building.
The city will then hold a council meeting at 6:30 p.m. It can be watched via livestream here.
City Council members told WTOL 11 that's when they plan to vote on whether or not the field will stay a residential property or if it will be re-zoned into a commercial property.
City officials said they have heard pros and cons to whatever choice is made.
"I can tell you that I have read a case study from other locations where commercial developments have been introduced. And, as with anything else, it's the quality of your neighbors, it's the way the properties are up kept. I've seen examples of commercial development actually increasing property values. So, I think it's fair to say that a good neighbor can detract and a good neighbor can improve your property values," said Brody Walters, the Perrysburg planning and zoning administrator.
Residents have offered the following feedback regarding the possible rezoning.
A commercial area could be beneficial because it could promote business in the area and could create some relief from taxes for Perrysburg schools.
But residents in the area said if the re-zoning happens, they are concerned about traffic increasing and property values decreasing.
According to a city administrator, options for rezoning the vacant 24 acres of farmland has been discussed including the option of adding a top golf to the area. City officials said a final re-zoning project is far from being decided.
Residents said if rezoning is approved, they plan to move. But city officials said a rezoning would not be the end-all, be-all.
"If it were to be a large-scale user like that, and I'm not saying it would be, the city will do anything we can do to mitigate any negative consequences of any development moving into the area. we will do our best to manage traffic noise lighting and all of those types of things for any type of development," said Brody Walters.