A decision by the Perrysburg planning commission to allow left turn ingress and egress for a new Starbucks near the corner of State Route 25 and Eckel Junction Road has prompted some to question the decision, given the volume of traffic on the highway.

At a March city council meeting, Dave Kienzle, owner of the Shoppes at River Place on the northwest corner of the intersection, objected to the plan which he believes will lead to traffic backups on both roads.

He suggested changing it to a right-turn only ingress and egress off Eckel Junction Road, adding that the addition of Starbucks at the Route 25/Eckel Junction Road will generate even more traffic in the congested area.

A three-year review of accidents between Route 25’s divergent diamond and the Churchill’s entrance light and Eckel Junction Road from the Costco light west to Eckel Road shows that crashes have been increasing annually.

According to a report from the police division, in 2018 there were 21 accidents. That number rose to 26 in 2019 and 35 in 2020. As of April 16 this year, there have been nine accidents.

Council has referred the matter to its public service committee for further review.

–Jane Maiolo