PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
IN THE DETAILS … Jason Daye of Excel Engineering shares final site plan details with the Archbold Planning Commission.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, February 9, the Archbold Planning Commission convened in the Village Council Chambers.
Present were members Mayor Brad Grime, Trevor Meyer and Karla Ball, along with new appointees Kevin Baez and Vaughn Bentz.
Baez and Bentz filled seats vacated by Mike Evans, who was recently elected to the Archbold Village Council, and Steve Sauder, who stepped down after his 2025 term.
Several community members were also seated in the audience area.
Addressing the first order of business, Grant Schaffner, the village’s community development director, introduced the new commission members.
Mayor Grime nominated Karla Ball to serve as chair, which all members approved. Addressing the vice chair position, Karla Ball nominated Vaughn Bentz, whom the group also approved. The 2026 meeting schedule was then adopted.
Minutes were approved from the November 10, 2025, public hearings regarding the major subdivision preliminary plat review and rezone request for Peacefield Subdivision.
The commission then moved on to the public hearing for a variance request on behalf of Kristina Rosales, 202 Middle Street, for side and rear setback relief to construct a detached garage.
Referencing an aerial view of the property, Schaffner went over the project details, noting the 24-by-25-foot detached garage will be situated near the rear property line, about 5 feet from the side property line. This placement requires a 6-foot reduction to the rear yard setback and a one-foot reduction to the side yard setback to allow the structure to be built.
The backyard of the property connects to an unimproved alleyway owned by the village and contains a sanitary sewer main that runs down the center.
Schaffner noted that several other properties in the area have accessory buildings in the setback area as well.
Schaffner turned the floor over to the property owner for further details regarding the building plan.
Rosales described that a carport once covered the entire gravel area, and she wishes to build a structure so she can drive straight into her garage, which is currently difficult to access.
Other locations were considered, but would be more costly and create driveway issues. She also noted that the neighbors’ pool will be situated nearby, and she felt the proposed placement of her building would provide them with additional privacy.
Mayor Grime asked Rosales if any of her neighbors were opposed to her building plans.
Rosales shared that she spoke with her next-door neighbors, who said, “Is it in our property? If not, no problem.”
Following Rosales’ testimony, Schaffner made a recommendation to approve her request, noting that the plan follows existing driveway alignment and that other buildings in the area already encroach on setback requirements, so it would not be out of character for the neighborhood.
He added that the proposal replaces a deteriorating shed with an improved structure.Rosales’ variance request was approved by all members of the Planning Commission.
Moving on to the next public hearing of the evening, the commission considered the major site plan review for Taco Bell to construct a restaurant at 705 S. Defiance Street, approximately 150 feet north of Burke Street.
The 2,051-square-foot building will occupy the southern portion of the parcel shared with the future Casey’s Convenience Store.
The fast food restaurant plans to be open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Taco Bell anticipates approximately eight full-time and 11 part-time employees will be needed at the location. The building will have an occupancy limit of 56 individuals, including employees.
Jason Daye of Excel Engineering stepped up to the podium to provide additional details of the proposed build.
Access to the site will be provided directly from South Defiance Street. The lobby portion of the building will face north, and the site includes 21 parking stalls, including one ADA-accessible space, which meets the required standard.
The drive-through will wrap around the west and south sides of the building. Pedestrian walkways are proposed to connect the site to the public sidewalk along Defiance Street.
Daye explained that since it’s a vacant lot, there will be no demolition; however, there will be curb, gutter, and sidewalk replacement.
The property will feature a dry retention pond located at the back of the property. The landscaping plan calls for a variety of shrubs and evergreens, and some will be situated to hide a transformer.
Schaffner explained that Taco Bell has exceeded all of the code requirements with concerns outlined in a comprehensive plan and pointed out that plans call for “a very attractive facade,” which includes brick veneer, large front side facing windows, and black framing, to complement the surrounding neighborhood.
He pointed out that Taco Bell has agreed to the village’s request to install a portion of the sidewalk, voluntarily reduced signage to comply with the zoning code, and will provide a six-foot white fence to screen the drive-through on the south side of the building in order to shield neighboring properties on Burke Street.
Karla Ball asked whether landscaping had been considered as a screen instead of a large fence. Daye explained that the fence would serve as the buffer; however, they could potentially soften the appearance with clusters of evergreens or something similar.
Vaughn Bentz expressed concern about the aesthetics from Memorial Park. Daye explained that the rear of the property contains a dry pond, which will be regularly mowed and maintained.
The pond is designed to hold up to three feet of water during heavy rainfall, which will then drain completely within 24 hours. Bentz noted that, with the park located across the street, this could pose a potential concern for young children.
Schaffner then asked Village Engineer Dexter Krueger to weigh in on the final site plan.
“The site itself is under one acre, so it doesn’t meet the requirements that the Ohio EPA has for water quality standards, but they still have to meet our requirements for stormwater detention, so they’ve met that with the detention pond itself,” said Krueger.
“We’ve reviewed all the utilities, we’ve run this, or had this looked at by wastewater in regards to the grease trap. So the grease trap is in place, which is standard for restaurants. Water service is standard for a facility like this.”
One member of the public asked whether the fence could be extended to the rear of the Taco Bell property to fully block headlights from vehicles navigating around the building from shining into the homes on Burke Street.
A representative for Taco Bell indicated that once the site is up and running, if there are any complaints, they would be open to conversations about extending the fence.
The floor was opened for public comment. Some attendees raised concerns about traffic on Burke Street, while others were worried about the restaurant’s proximity to the park and the children in the area.
Commissioner Ball responded that, because there will be no access to the restaurant from the rear via Pleasant Street, traffic in that area should be somewhat minimized.
Schaffner added, “Part of the reason we wanted open traffic for Casey’s ‘right in, right out’ off of Lafayette Street was to avoid people leaving Defiance Street, making a right turn, and circling Burke and Pleasant just to get back to Lafayette Street.”
“So we’re hoping that with the access management with Casey’s and then Taco Bell having their own drive on Defiance Street, we won’t have people shortcutting through Pleasant Street.
“So our hope remains that the Pleasant Street traffic will remain as normal as it has been.” Another audience member asked if the approach on the exit side could be widened to accommodate a fire truck.
Schaffner responded that the plans meet fire standards with a 14-foot width and that the area is not designated as a fire access road.
A resident shifted the topic back to the dry retention pond and inquired whether or not a fence should be required.
Daye explained that the dry pond is essentially an “oversized ditch or swale,” and as opposed to a wet pond, there will not be water in it for an extended period of time.
Before closing the public comment portion of the meeting, Schaffner ensured audience members had their questions answered, and nobody had further concerns to be addressed.
Karla Ball told Taco Bell representatives, “I appreciate that you’re bringing a really nice-looking product to the community. I think that’s going to be a very attractive building.
“I do appreciate the consideration for the landscaping on the south side of that fence to kind of soften the look from, you know, the residential area to the south of that.”
With a motion from Vaughn Bentz, which was seconded by Trevor Meyer, the major site plan review for Taco Bell to construct a restaurant at 705 S. Defiance Street was approved by all Archbold Planning Commission members.
Construction is anticipated to begin in May 2026.
