Clashes Erupt in Findlay City Council
BY PATTY KLEIN
FINDLAY - The clash continued on October 7 at the Findlay City Council meeting where citizens from Findlay’s West Park neighborhood turned out in numbers to speak and show their desire to protect their property from damage. As the city rushes to entertain an attempt to auction what is known as the Carlin property, councilmen Brian Bauman and Jeff Wobser continued to exhibit disrespect toward residents from the West Park area.
The property parcels in West Park have been a point of controversy for the last two years. The city wants to sell these lots to developers while excluding residents of the neighborhood who are concerned about the development methods required to make the land usable.
West Park resident Robin Welly addressed Findlay City Council and the administration, giving background on the West Park fight against development of this land.
“Hello, here we are, two years later, back about the same thing. We’re back pleading with the city again not to destroy homes by dynamiting in our neighborhood," Welly said. "We are asking the city today why it must be sold so instantaneously. Why does it have to have restrictions on it? It actually brings in revenue. It is only the Mayor’s vision, and nobody cares about the consequences to the existing homes.”
Welly contended that nobody has answered residents’ questions regarding the loss of green space, flooding, and street access to a new development.
West Park is in Findlay’s 5th Ward and is represented by Councilman Brian Bauman. Bauman is seeking reelection against independent candidate Kevin Cullen. Welly contends that Bauman may have sold his home in West Park in anticipation of the Carlin property sale because, as a councilman, he has “inside information.” In 2023, Bauman voted against residents’ concerns and supported the sale of the property to Habitat for Humanity, a project that would have placed 60 homes on the property.
"I would just like the record to show that I am still a proud resident of West Park,” Bauman said.
If the sale of the property is imminent, Welly requested on behalf of West Park residents that the property auction be live, have no buyer restrictions, and no rezoning. The Mayor’s current restrictions for a silent auction raise questions about whether they are tailored to a preferred buyer, excluding interested residents and farmers who may wish to purchase the property.
A Planning Committee meeting held on September 30 became heated when residents attempted to give their input after the Mayor’s announcement that she wanted to start the Carlin development process within two weeks. Councilman Wobser told residents they had 10 seconds to speak about the proposal, which they say may damage—or even make—their homes unlivable. One resident asked for a guarantee that any damage to her home would be compensated by the city. This drew an aggressive response from Councilman Wobser, who expressed regret that he had even allowed residents to speak.
Reminding city council about the contentious Strategic Planning meeting, Councilwoman Frische addressed the Carlin property issue, remarking that the matter should have been discussed in the Appropriations Committee or a Committee of the Whole to evaluate city property assets as a whole, as well as to discuss testing bedrock depth for development feasibility. Frische argued that the project should not be voted on or discussed until it goes through the proper committees. Councilman Russell disagreed, commenting that Strategic Planning was the correct place for discussion and that the city needs to “get this ball rolling again.” Councilman Wobser added that Frische’s description of the prior meeting was “a complete misrepresentation of that meeting, and I resent that.” His comment drew gasps and colorful shouts from council chambers causing Council President Harrington to gavel and quiet the crowd.
Public comments from the September 30 meeting can be heard at:
The entire September 30 Strategic Planning meeting can be viewed at:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/J6H8LXkteIo?si=IF9_1mH9Dv450hC7
The entire October 7 Findlay City Council meeting can be viewed at:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/dlGzyrtYhiU?si=zx0KvmRTjRjQDvmY
