[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6186814,"mediaKeyId","5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68","parentId",5074183,"title","City releases recommendations for 2025 community grant awards; committee recommends $81,250 of $100,000 budget","audioSeconds",817,"startMs",5695000,"endMs",6512000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68&start=5695&end=6512","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68/thumbnail_5695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6186814/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/City-releases-recommendations-for-2025-community-grant-awards-committee-recommends-81250-of-100000-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186814-4620c19d9daa23888245e6a4aece78b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143015&Signature=ZdTBzyXxWUnLadBC~kUllztX0Yd9TOr-mwUYMI8kimj8UvWn-WfYGyZ7hIrREtItgtPtC3dgBsZBukcOZQ1H7dN7tyAzIUnnj9fOYl5eblICcTimkYLzIsj9~WZJ3qZnbxY8TRJFg9r3U2-m5fC8YjGlGoyBnW6oQMD99bZQVFtjqPAN8nfZgSI5dm4oB7jRnGVCXYyZhbUjS7OKe0P6-H9Adc2PBjHkKUJZXwsm4QTBa4BGyiN15yfP4WjSOLQ3OvFg-zOLHweLohlMZk9jocySj2XhD-aR7A-bZLfvnJnKgUuHUFkeDYsuXL37xnECLkI8bkVyjXFZMiLr90S4cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Gahanna, OH ","date","2025-06-26T03:57:19.373Z","article","City staff summarized the 2025 community grant round and the recommendations of the grant review committee at the June 23 meeting.

The program opened April 1; staff received 16 applications by the April 25 deadline. A five‑member grant review committee (two council appointees, two mayoral appointees and one staff member) reviewed materials, conducted interviews with two applicants and recommended awards. The committee recommended funding 13 applicants, with combined recommended awards totaling $81,250 against a $100,000 available budget: six applications were recommended for full funding, seven for partial funding, and three for no award.

Staff explained the program is now reimbursement‑based. Applicants must submit requests for reimbursement with receipts; staff will process payments and monitor projects. The program priorities were reiterated—basic necessities, mental health and general safety/welfare—and the committee required reporting benchmarks (interim updates Sept. 8 and Oct. 20 and a final report). Funding not used will return to the general fund.

Council members asked about the three non‑awarded applicants; staff said the non‑award letters explain reasons and invite applicants to request feedback on improving future applications. Staff said some recommended awards are expected to be underspent; one early reimbursement totaled about $7,966 against a $10,000 award, leaving unspent funds to revert to general fund when reconciled.

No formal council vote occurred at the committee meeting; staff will proceed with documented award notices and reimbursements per program rules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council: Committee of the Whole - June 23, 2025 - Livestream","oneSentenceSummary","Staff summarized the 2025 community grant application, review and award process: 16 applications received, 13 recommended for funding totaling $81,250 (six fully funded, seven partially funded), with reimbursement payments and reporting benchmarks required.","taxTitle","Gahanna, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",55589,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186819,"Planning director reports permitting software rollout, code enforcement warrants and zoning workload",1125,4560000,5685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68&start=4560&end=5685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","/articles/6186819/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Planning-director-reports-permitting-software-rollout-code-enforcement-warrants-and-zoning-workload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186819-1d519980f34181e004b72060c12101e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143015&Signature=bS1R-AWLIvrNppkSzd~yyydkpMEVqJspJ5R2DdD-p99UhXMreoyxqbij9PoQbp43P0Y-acPDQUILvC4cdWpGbRMRH9jBQhNJB1IOYwwVWifyi-wRUcrFbPLjXEEzKWRfLBmQS2ZQHTqOpopMSZ7aSVrz9YnIvWguL0w~gRmRNRdcs~0AQ8BmbPciHlRGeUwJm~2logdqKzSbMhq7WA~73Ez1fnOXFhEMJviqnIjSAKdFj6-cmEkZYwtp75gbGvK0xyx30rQvLiP4Fvm9L4-1SM3VhSdshUOCMkdqCqrdQuZutkbUMviesV3AMrXy~nCWxgbtoUIbLnQYA4X92PRfhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Blackford, director of the Department of Planning, told the June 23 committee the department has completed a major permitting software transition and is working to refine inspection scheduling, zoning code language and customer guidance.

Blackford said the new software gives external applicants improved online status and resubmission tools but has changed the way permits and inspections are counted; staff are focusing on applicant education and scheduling processes. He said the city hired an in‑house inspector last year to increase responsiveness and that, under the new workflow, the city can typically schedule inspections for the next day when callers request them by 3 p.m.

On code enforcement, Blackford described a newly implemented warrant process for chronic noncompliance that was developed with the legal office and clerk of courts. The director said the process has produced compliance in at least one long‑running case where prior attempts to persuade the property owner had failed.

Planning statistics noted in the briefing: in 2024 the department recorded roughly 210,000 square feet of development approvals and 196 residential units approved; to date in 2025 comparable volume is similar for nonresidential square footage but no new residential units were approved. Blackford said staff have not yet received any accessory dwelling unit (ADU) applications under the revised zoning code.

The director said priorities for the rest of 2025 include assessing whether the city’s land‑use plan needs an update, retaining consultants on complex floodplain projects as needed, and continuing targeted zoning‑code refinements. Council asked about enforcement of commercial properties and whether code enforcement is primarily complaint‑driven; Blackford said staff use both proactive and reactive approaches and that outcomes depend on the owner’s responsiveness.","Planning Director Michael Blackford updated the committee on a new permitting software, in‑house inspections, code enforcement warrant use for chronic violations, and zoning‑code implementation; no accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) applications had been filed yet under the new code.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186824,"Public Service director outlines water, streets and fleet work; city adds street‑sweeper and leak detection program",1219,3263000,4482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68&start=3263&end=4482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68/thumbnail_3263000.jpg","/articles/6186824/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Public-Service-director-outlines-water-streets-and-fleet-work-city-adds-streetsweeper-and-leak-detection-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186824-aaf8b0553e66bfd54b067ded9539829a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143015&Signature=avoWMdApvOa-2JGpljX9HFQStLRE4lsBJlY5BOmRo21t2CjVgjRhepQ7IuIQLJiHEq-8c5ofz~qdVewwuTWvLem1FYQRe~EQDBsyRR3PC7ScSNaZXbUGqqy4mqB9UQtn-yZfwAmIT26~tRsHNFQKGDt68gs9WqUm1ykaqskXx7YM69zMybei8T-rVcTmVkWdK2VXrF8x~1NekHsOaXTx6bTi2aKpBhiUXc9RlYmQi~1LR3IuyXoleuk2wC93XLYRsO4Tp8LWniDRqf2cnqcCffCZjn7MDxeCv5z~F4UKw~diyWKG8cGW9AaXvjLV0HNLBbHn3vQOfMF4PGUeMDh~uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Public Service briefed the committee on June 23 about recent and planned work on water, streets, fleet and facilities, including a new in‑house street‑sweeper program and a pilot satellite leak detection pass.

The director said customer service sends more than 10,000 water bills a month and the department has handled over 10,000 calls so far in 2025. The utilities division has replaced about 360 water meters year‑to‑date and responded to about 14 water‑main breaks this year. “They get called out at 02:00 in the morning…they come right in,” the director said of the utilities crews.

Public Service has purchased a new street sweeper and has mapped the city into five sweeping zones to begin a live program July 1. Funding for the sweeper uses a mix of stormwater and capital funds; the director said the purchase was also supported by Issue 12 bond proceeds. The department said it maintains over 325 lane miles of streets, plowed over 7,000 lane miles this winter (multiple passes), used roughly 900 tons of salt and 6,000 gallons of brine.

Staff summarized other in‑house shifts: a new sign shop that has produced about 40 signs in 2025, a pavement‑marking touch‑up program for residential and high‑pedestrian areas, a first crash‑attenuator (safety) vehicle for high‑speed work, and a right‑sizing approach to fleet procurement. The fleet group services roughly 450 pieces of equipment.

On water quality and reporting, the director praised the consumer confidence report (CCR) preparation and noted the department is working with Ohio EPA reporting requirements. The department also piloted a satellite leak detection pass; staff will follow up in autumn to confirm repairs.

Council asked follow‑up questions on stormwater coordination, roundabout stop‑bar sightlines and whether the sweeper purchase was funded by Issue 12; staff said engineering, parks and other divisions would be engaged as needed. No formal actions were taken.","Department of Public Service presented operations highlights including a new street‑sweeper program, resumed meter replacements, satellite leak detection, fleet updates and streetlight/traffic signal work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186828,"Gahanna officials review 141,000‑square‑foot speculative industrial project, hear tax‑abatement details and job guarantee",2799,392000,3191000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68&start=392&end=3191","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074183-021900e5ad80e936e6de3c3be1f2ef68/thumbnail_392000.jpg","/articles/6186828/Gahanna/Franklin-County/Ohio/Gahanna-officials-review-141000squarefoot-speculative-industrial-project-hear-taxabatement-details-and-job-guarantee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186828-2da2927174d224782bd7d2582eb3c1e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143015&Signature=Hyo5acTw96NDHkO7VH9qr8iCL-lyRgSGjtVZ7JaiP-XNqedvnBJp-D-ziy5szqUxl8vgWLL9rLFdorLzFwpCBMvVYCNYpkeYJ1l1cyYvfV3rpJtkqrIChZ~DdsgQokhYnKVQDZF~FKkKmwKps6ZjRKR2Y7hcIsYl3F0Jm9JJ9ayhXOiw3I9e0GL8PDifo4FIT~ut0hdcbsDOeBGP1c4~6R3nK6pIqGiUa86Tnfz66ehZSwfwvMJh7oeqygjEqKy8duOZTOaqG4YwJ1XN~j2laN8FkfyHhH6eCGwN~0EJ7VFq~joEZo0bk3BsB3XWuZA3x5HD2y0EnPLJJFXx9F0WaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gahanna officials on June 23 heard details from the development team behind a proposed speculative industrial building and discussed a requested 80% tax abatement for 12 years to make the project financially feasible.

The project team said the building would be roughly 140,000–141,000 square feet with estimated hard construction costs of about $13.5 million and a minimum guarantee of 37 new jobs. “We’re underwriting upper $9 a foot,” said Jonathan Postweiler, development representative with KBC Advisors, adding that without the abatement the pro forma rents would fall below levels required by the project’s capital partners.

The city’s economic development presenter said the request would still yield a roughly 69% return on investment to the community when jobs and tax revenues are counted, and that the city’s foregone inside‑millage revenue—about $300,000—would be offset by roughly $600,000 in income tax receipts over the abatement period.

Council members asked for details about site constraints and title history. Postweiler said the site lost about 1.7 acres of usable land to a storm sanitary easement (reducing a roughly 10‑acre site to about 8.3 usable acres), and that topography, stored fill and an ephemeral stream increase development costs. He said market comparables and leasing analyses from the project broker indicate demand for 100,000–150,000 square‑foot industrial product in the area.

Council members pressed on financial and legal protections. A council member asked about the possibility of a “drop and swap” sale structure that could limit the county’s ability to capture transfer value; city counsel and project legal counsel responded that the practice is not planned for this transaction and that the transaction would be reported on the conveyance form (referred to in the meeting as DTE Form 24) so county conveyance fees and market value resets would be recorded.

On liability for the income‑tax guarantee, project counsel said the owner entity that holds the property will be contractually obligated to meet the guarantee; if the owner later sells, assignment language in the abatement agreement is structured so a future owner would remain contractually liable and the city could pursue breach‑of‑contract remedies.

Council and staff agreed to remove an emergency clause from the legislation amending the proposal; city staff said that amendment will be prepared and the item is scheduled for the regular council agenda on July 7.

The discussion included a range of operational questions—typical lease lengths (7–10 years with common renewal options), possible tenant types (advanced manufacturing, food processing, logistics), and design features intended to maximize re‑leasability—along with market risk notes that the project is speculative because no tenant is under contract yet. The development team said the building is intended as a flexible, “Swiss army knife” industrial facility to reduce the risk of long vacancy if tenants change.

No formal council vote or final approval occurred during the committee meeting; staff will return the amended legislation for the regular agenda.","City staff and outside developers presented a proposed 141,000‑square‑foot speculative industrial building on Tech Center Drive, requested an 80% tax abatement for 12 years, and answered council questions about site constraints, job guarantees and ownership liability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City releases recommendations for 2025 community grant awards; committee recommends $81,250 of $100,000 budget

Planning director reports permitting software rollout, code enforcement warrants and zoning workload

Public Service director outlines water, streets and fleet work; city adds street‑sweeper and leak detection program

Gahanna officials review 141,000‑square‑foot speculative industrial project, hear tax‑abatement details and job guarantee