Council passes sidewalk cafe legislation
Bluffton council okayed legislation on Monday to permit sidewalk cafes in the village.
The action is specific to a request from the owners of The Greenhorn Restaurant on Vine Street. The owners have requested to allow outdoor dining with food and wine on the menus.
Now that the village established the legislation, the Greenhorn owners need to meet requirements from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control before proceeding with their outdoor plan.
An open date for the Bluffton Community Swimming pool has yet to be announced. There are some painting projects that need to be completed before an opening date is set.
In other council action, it was noted that a Dominion gas main replacement project will start Monday, May 10, according to Jesse Blackburn, village administrator. The replacement lines cover the northern end of the business district.
A planning commission hearing is set for 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 5. The commission will consider the formation of four building lots on Riley Street, with the intention of creating new property lines. See the map at the bottom of this story.
Council’s park and recreation committee reported on a March 23 meeting discussing a disc golf course at the village park.
Evan Steiner and Grant Mumaugh made a presentation to the committee. The notes from that meeting are part of the council packet attached to this story.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, October 23, 2026
- Village of Bluffton announces late afternoon drill at Bluffton Schools, October 23
- October 23 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate volleyball eliminated in sectionals by Archbold
- Pirate boys soccer knocked off by Bath
- Main St. closure rescheduled; parapet work to take place Oct. 27
- Bluffton student to reflect on diabetes research experience
- Bluffton University receives $8,000 Stinner Summit award for youth agricultural and environmental education
- Elections matter, including midterms
Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 22
- ICAPP study: Ohioans strongly oppose data center expansion and tax breaks
- Pirate girls soccer ousts rival Allen East in sectionals
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Fruit polyphenols and brain health
- Last call for Bluffton Cars & Coffee for 2026
- Icon calendar gets a little more elbow room
- Bluffton Board of Education recap: Contracts for coaches and new bus driver
- Bluffton Lions Club update for October 2026
- Bluffton chamber photo competition display and reception announced
- Bluejays and buzzards catch the eye of this Accounting prof
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 21
- Village of Beaverdam requests suggestions for park grant application
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties