Restaurant could be coming to Coldwater

COLDWATER - Village councilors on Monday took steps to include a new family-style restaurant in the village.

After returning from a ten-minute executive session to discuss land and personnel, councilors authorized village administrator/ engineer Eric Thomas to enter into a real estate purchase with Lakehouse Lifestyles, LLC of Fort Recovery for property located at 120 Terrace Ave in Coldwater.

Thomas said property in question is the old McDonald's and the buyer intends to open a sit-down family-style restaurant that is not affiliated with any chain. The eatery will offer a large menu focusing on pizza. Plans also include a drive-through and delivery service for the business.

According to the agreement, the purchaser has 60 days to secure financing and proceed to closing. The sale will be through the Mercer County Community Improvement Corporation.

In other business, councilors gave first reading of an ordinance to rezone a 2.96-acre tract in the proposed Wenning Acres Subdivision section seven from R2 suburban residential to R4 apartment residential. The area includes five lots numbered 22-26 located north of Robert Street and west of North Second Street in northeast Coldwater. This will allow for single-family homes, duplexes or triplexes to be built on the lots. A public meeting was held Aug. 12 to discuss and answer questions on the proposed rezoning.

Also on Monday, councilors heard second reading of an ordinance to increase the membership of the Coldwater Fire Department to 28 firefighters. This includes the fire chief, assistant fire chief and all officers of the department as deemed necessary. The department is currently fully staffed with 25 firefighters.

Coldwater Fire Chief Dave Penno attended a previous council meeting stating it's getting more difficult to have members available for fire runs since people are more involved with sports and their kids' activities. He requested the list be increased to 28.

Finance director Jason Eyink reported revenue from the Coldwater Memorial Park pool is up about $8,000 this year. He added the increase is because family season ticket prices were raised from $100 to $125.

Thomas reported that as equipment for the splash pad arrives, it is getting installed.

"We've got a few more toys up there," he said, nothing that September usually has some warm days. "Hopefully we'll have it in within the next couple of weeks."

Police chief Kevin Wynk asked people to be extra observant in the mornings and evenings since school is back in session.

Council president Brad Niekamp expressed appreciation to surrounding communities for the support shown to the Coldwater community. "I thought that was pretty astounding this past week," he added.

Members extended condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Cale Wenning. Wenning, 17, of Coldwater died Thursday at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton after sustaining serious injuries in an electric bike accident near Coldwater earlier this month.

Council meets next at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the village hall.