<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=174cOH_1GqBpqSo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=174cOH_1GqBpqSo00" width="1000" height="791" ><figcaption>The northwest corner of the S.R. 64 and Finzel Road roundabout, currently owned by the Village of Whitehouse, is undergoing rezoning in preparation for the new Whitehouse Branch Library. Council is expected to hold its final vote on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>WHITEHOUSE – For the past month, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) has been holding community listening sessions to gather input on the future Whitehouse Branch Library. At the same time, the Village of Whitehouse has applied to rezone the 6.6 acres it owns on the northwest corner of S.R. 64 and Finzel Road – the planned site of the new Whitehouse Branch.TLCPL has signed an agreement to purchase the property for $620,000, pending the successful rezoning of the land from C-3 General Commercial to C-4 Highway Commercial. Public buildings require a C-4 zoning, Administrator Jordan Daugherty explained. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Nov. 2 and recommended the rezoning. Council heard testimony from residents during a Nov. 3 public hearing prior to Council’s regular meeting.Several residents arrived with questions during the Nov. 3 hearing, including Bruce Robertson, who wondered whether that zoning would remain in place if the library didn’t follow through with its plans. The village has the first option to buy the property back if that were to happen, said Daugherty, and the rezoning is being done specifically for the library project. Previously, Mayor Rich Bingham has said that the village has been waiting for the right use for that prime piece of land at the gateway, and that while eyed by developers for a possible gas station or hotel, he thinks the library is the ideal use.“I have come to the conclusion that, yes, a library would be the best thing for that spot,” said Lisa Sanford, a Blue Creek East resident. But, she wondered about an Oct. 1 traffic study mentioned by the TLCPL, and what it showed as far as impacts. Robin Johnson also shared concerns about the roundabout and how people would turn into the library.Council President Steve Fine said that an October 2026 traffic study by Mannik &amp; Smith is posted here. Reading from the study, he shared that it concludes that the branch is not expected to negatively affect traffic at nearby intersections. The study looked at traffic conditions with the library in operation including the busiest times of afternoon and evening travel periods.“The study found that the intersection will continue to operate at satisfactory levels with the branch in place, and traffic conditions are not expected to be worse than they would be without the library. Based on these findings, the study did not identify any traffic impacts directly associated with the Whitehouse Branch and determined that no traffic improvements are required as part of the project,” Fine read from the Mannik &amp; Smith report. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3P8hPr_1GqBpqSo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3P8hPr_1GqBpqSo00" width="1000" height="750" ><figcaption>The 6.6-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Finzel and S.R. 64 is mowed and ready for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>Jen Eland, who lives just south of the proposed site, asked about how the construction of a library might effect property values and infrastructure. Daugherty said that water and power are already available at the road, but determining the impact on property values would be difficult to measure. After the meeting, Bingham spoke to Jen and Phil Eland about some of their other concerns, including preservation of the tree line and impacts on neighbors, and said he’ll ensure that the library planners take them into consideration.Johnson wondered whether a feasibility study had been done on the existing volunteer-run Whitehouse Library, and why the TLCPL wanted to add a branch in Whitehouse when hours for the Waterville Branch Library were cut due to state funding cuts.“It’s really the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library that said they need to put a library in Whitehouse,” Fine said, urging residents to read the FAQ area on the library website.The volunteer library was formed back when Whitehouse didn’t have a large enough population to warrant a TLCPL branch. As the population has grown and the Waterville Branch got busier in handling all of the Anthony Wayne area, TLCPL began prioritizing a branch in the village. In 2024, voters approved a 2024 bond issue to fund construction and renovations to several branches in the system. Waterville doesn’t have the space to expand. A Whitehouse Branch will allow expansion of services and programming to the broader western Lucas County area without further pressure on Waterville, TLCPL has stated.Following the meeting, TLCPL shared the news that an operational levy – put on the ballot to make up for funds cut by the state in early 2025 – passed, and that hours at Waterville and other branches would be restored by Jan. 1.Council is expected to hold a final vote on the rezoning during its Tuesday, Nov. 17 meeting. If approved, TLCPL plans to begin construction in late 2027 or early 2028, with an opening by early 2029. Those who wish to provide input for the design – which will begin early in 2027 – can do so online, or visit Waterville Branch Library, 800 Michigan Ave. during regular hours through Monday, Nov. 9. Feedback display boards will be set up to collect input from users.The TLCPL public information officer, Stephanie Elton, said she expects a full report from The Collaborative – which has been involved in the community feedback sessions – in the next few weeks. Results from that report will be shared in the Anthony Wayne Free Press when available.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4aLt60_1GqBpqSo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4aLt60_1GqBpqSo00" width="1000" height="750" ><figcaption>The village purchased the 2.3-acre property at 10125 Waterville St. for $200,000 and will have the house razed. Administrator Jordan Daugherty said long-term plans for the land have not been decided, but the short term plan is for green space with a walking path near Blue Creek. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>During the meeting, council also:-Heard Daugherty share an update on the 2.3-acre property at 10125 Waterville St., just across from the Cemetery Road entrance to S.R. 64. The village purchased the property from family of the late Gary Pennell for $200,000. Bordering Blue Creek, the property has mature trees, a 1901 home, and three outbuildings. Trees close to the house have been removed and others trimmed, setting the stage for demolition and removal of the structures, Daugherty said. While the village doesn’t yet have a long-term plan for the land, right now the idea is to create a park with a walkway along the creek, he said. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4NIRm8_1GqBpqSo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4NIRm8_1GqBpqSo00" width="1100" height="751" ><figcaption>Anthony Wayne High School students Adella Muir and Anamika Rattu stand at the podium and address Whitehouse Village Council about their plans to host a Paws and Peppermint fundraiser for Toledo Animal Rescue. The Saturday, Dec. 5 event begins at 3 p.m. and includes a pet pageant for people to have their holiday-attired animals compete for prizes. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>-Approved a request by Anthony Wayne High School students Adella Muir and Anamika Rattu to host a Paws and Peppermint Donation Drive and costume pageant at Whitehouse Park on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. Both students in the school’s Community Engagement class, Adella and Anamika are raising funds for Toledo Animal Rescue, which is the oldest no-kill shelter in Toledo. The event will include a collection of food, cat litter, dog and cat toys and treats, and pet store gift cards. A donation will serve as entry into the pet pageant, which will take place near the Cherry Fest building along St. Louis Avenue. Prizes will be given in three categories. The event will be followed by a group walk around the quarry.-Listened to an update on the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District October meeting from Jake Heilmann, who is the newest board member. Rod Frey was named chair and Julie Theroux vice chair of the board. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0KJbOz_1GqBpqSo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0KJbOz_1GqBpqSo00" width="1000" height="914" ><figcaption>(AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>-Heard Tree Commission representative Nikki Hartbarger explain that a new Tree of the Year program in which residents can nominate and provide descriptions of outstanding trees on their property will be rolled out soon. Some of the categories for selecting the Tree of the Year include: large or impressive size; historical or family significance; beauty or unique appearance; environmental or wildlife value; or special community connection. More information on the program will be shared once finalized by the Tree Commission.-Listened to Bingham say that the next Coffee with the Mayor and Council is Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Copper Press Roastery.-Congratulated Christina Fuller, a law clerk with Heban, Murphree and Lewandowski. Fuller has been attending Whitehouse council meetings with law director Kevin Heban, who announced that Fuller passed her bar exam and will be sworn in on Nov. 16.-Heard Fire Chief Jason Francis say that the University of Toledo has expanded its emergency medicine program to allow residents to ride on medic units – including Whitehouse. “You’ll see some residents on our squad during the day,” Francis said, explaining that it’s like an internship.-Heard Police Chief Allan Baer say that the National Drug Take Back Day in Whitehouse was successful, with 31 pounds of drugs collected on Oct. 24, for a total of 106 pounds for the year, counting drugs deposited in the drop-off box in the lobby.-Heard resident Bruce Robertson ask about the holiday toy drive competition between Waterville and Whitehouse. That will begin next week, Baer said.</div></body>

Block Source: toledofreepress.com

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

WHITEHOUSE – For the past month, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) has been holding community listening sessions to gather input on the future Whitehouse Branch Library. At the same time, the Village of Whitehouse has applied to rezone the 6.6 acres it owns on the northwest corner of...

Whitehouse plans rezoning for library

NewsBreak

WHITEHOUSE – For the past month, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) has been holding community listening sessions to gather input on the future

Whitehouse plans rezoning for library

Comments