PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CONCERNS STATED … Council President Chris Kannel shares concerns of the R3 triplex proposal from the Port Authority, while Deputy Manager Justin Houk and Clerk Molly Collert listen.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Village Council met for its regular session on Monday, February 23, 2026, to hold a public hearing on a rezoning request for property located on West Wabash Trail.
In attendance: Council President Chris Kannel, Clerk Molly Collert, Kevin Motter, Nathan Thompson, and Don Schlosser. Justin Houk, Deputy Manager, was present in place of Administrator Jason Rockey, who was absent.
The West Wabash rezoning hearing was requested by the Williams County Port Authority, which would change two lots from R2 to R3 zoning.
The Port Authority, represented by member Sean Rupp, presented plans to construct two triplex housing units.
This is the first time the Port Authority would be constructing triplexes, though they have already successfully completed several duplex projects throughout the county.
A village variance requires the zone to be upgraded to an R3 status. The request was additionally approved by the Montpelier Planning and Zoning Commission.
Council President Kannel brought up concerns about spot zoning. “We set a dangerous precedent when we start spot-zoning,” he explained.
“There is no R3 here. So the first concern is just dropping a R3 for two lots because it is convenient. It is a concern.”
Kannel continued that he was not opposed to the idea, but requested several adjustments be made to the initial drawings. In this context, if we’re going to do it, I think this is the context where it works best,” he stated.
He requested that the Port Authority do a little more work than originally proposed. This included updating site plan setbacks, committing to planting grass along the street, and finding a viable solution for driveways and parking spaces.
The council expressed concerns about a lack of pedestrian space, or sidewalks, and wanted to make sure future residents had a simple way to reach their living spaces.
The rezoning request passed its first reading, with the assumption that the Port Authority would return at the next meeting with updated plans that meet the Council’s requests.
Council member Nathan Thompson proposed two motions to allow the Montpelier Parks and Recreation Board to apply for grants related to infrastructure upgrades.
The Economic Development and Strategy Committee has been discussing ways to obtain funds for these improvements.
The first motion was to apply for state capital funds for Phase Two and Phase Three of the Iron Horse River Trail project.
This would be for the amount of $300,000 through Senator Rob McColley and State Representative Jim Hoops’ office.
Currently, the Iron Horse River Trail spans from the Montpelier Senior Center to River Street to the North entrance of the Williams County Fairgrounds.
“The first project that we are making an application for is to extend that trail across the fairgrounds, Parkview Hospital, the Montpelier Municipal well fields, all the way to Porter’s Road,” Kannel said.
If selected, the capital funds will come from the State of Ohio’s budget. Phase One of the Iron Horse River Trail was noted to be from this same application.
The second motion was to apply for congressional funds for a pool renovation. This would be for a total of $3,500,000 through Senator Jon Husted’s office. The project would include a pool and pool house renovation.
“There aren’t any state programs for that project,” explained Kannel. “The state programs that could be applied for that project are so small – as to be not useful for us.”
Through a congressional funds application, Husted’s office can make much larger, general allocation amounts.
“They are discretionary funds that get put into a bill,” Kannel said.
In other business, a purchase was approved for a 2026 Ford F-250 STX 4×4 Crew Cab for the Montpelier Fire Department. As it was already approved in the 2026 budget, the rules were suspended and the motion passed.
The Village Manager’s report, given by Deputy Manager Justin Houk, stated that the Iron Horse River Trail brush burning was successfully completed.
The burning provided the fire department with training opportunities as well. Further upkeep is expected to come.
With no further business, the Montpelier Village Council adjourned at 6:42 p.m. The next Montpelier Council meeting will be held Monday, March 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.