By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Changes to the codes governing parking spaces in the Bucyrus business district will have to wait a little longer to get a clear solution after the Platting Committee met Wednesday afternoon.

City Planning and Zoning Administrator and Code Enforcement Officer John Rostash explained that before the city moves forward with any changes or new laws pertaining to parking and the different zoning districts he would like to call Manic and Smith out of Toledo for  input on how to word any new laws as well as have council review parking solutions through the American Planning Association.

Currently the city’s code is that there should be one parking space for every 175 square feet of space in a business. City officials would prefer to cut that down to one parking space for every 150 square feet.

City Law Director Rob Ratliff noted that he would like to develop a better base of knowledge on parking codes prior to coming up with numbers for the ordinance.

During the meeting the members of the committee discussed the differences between the Business District and General District. Rostash explained the differences.

“The biggest difference is that development in the General District you have a lot more constraints than a Business District,” Rostash said. “In the downtown Business District you can build closer to the property lines.”

Also brought up was the amount of parking spaces needed for future establishments with a drive-thru. Ratliff noted that currently the proposed Tim Hortons restaurant has 10 spots in the drive through line and 38 spaces for parking with the total space of the restaurant dropping from 3,000 square feet of floor space to 1,700 due to Donatos pulling out of the planned restaurant complex.

Related content: More zoning changes in store for Bucyrus? | Neighbors concerned about Tim Hortons-Donatos restaurant | Resident unhappy with city allowing businesses in neighborhoods

A map of the different zoned districts in Bucyrus can be found online at https://www.cityofbucyrusoh.us/documents/pdfZoneMapSizeD_12-08-2014.pdf.