[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6169255,"mediaKeyId","5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d","parentId",5404857,"title","Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall to depart after five and a half years; council, staff praise tenure","audioSeconds",496,"startMs",7622000,"endMs",8118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d&start=7622&end=8118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d/thumbnail_7622000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169255/Hilliard/Franklin-County/Ohio/Hilliard-City-Manager-Michelle-Crandall-to-depart-after-five-and-a-half-years-council-staff-praise-tenure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169255-69a69e88ca1845f748a32a744d6cddf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183370&Signature=n-~eMooAKl5OZ06X2u3U7cJfLRhdUBkoNpvUXKBMkQHM4rA3O0wJ-yNKfNiaJuDOyatjZWIZIyhePu4B8HOV45cSjQSh7EogHQs0OxBBQxMLz-Wj8xew~~Dba~FONIcNpA3jfyWv~4hM93Lkm0ceMQt~4uFl6Vay~J3NaHRlu3P76Xwu14pTMscPdfkI1fZDox2rmXRDDS2E7vMJQv79HV4M5hKXRpMG8vcHfBQkPyShqlklwL2FG0khQKqEh7cd9Atf-0QXmfvikrVovdnaRkehqYaYiwMuBOGVUDpjiK~wqEzquQ18zHypQgYrXidu48A9B~zzWsugWmRn0e~uXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Hilliard, OH ","date","2025-07-15T13:31:17Z","article","HILLIARD, Ohio — Michelle Crandall, Hilliard’s first city manager, told the City Council on July 14 that she will leave her role in two weeks and reflected on accomplishments during her five‑and‑a‑half‑year tenure.

Crandall listed several highlights she and staff said were achievements under her leadership: passage of a ballot measure increasing the city’s income tax from 2% to 2.5% to fund parks and recreation; design and construction of a 150‑acre recreation and wellness campus including a medically integrated community center (the Well); a AAA bond rating maintained while delivering capital projects; development of a new comprehensive community plan in 2023; and economic-development work retaining large employers and attracting new companies and start‑ups.

“Together, we’ve co‑created a culture that’s been guided by our core values, heart for service, strength and teamwork, and drive for influence excellence,” Crandall told council. She thanked staff and council and said the city will be “incredibly well‑positioned” going forward. She said she expects to remain in Hilliard as a resident.

Council members praised Crandall’s leadership and the culture change they said occurred during her tenure. Vice President Teeter said the chief accomplishment was establishing professional leadership at city hall and improving employee morale and service to residents. Several council members thanked Crandall for pursuing vision-level projects and for building regional partnerships.

Council adjourned following brief remarks and a motion to close the meeting.

Crandall’s final day as an employee is in two weeks from the July 14 meeting; the city will follow its personnel transition procedures to name an interim or successor city manager.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - Jul 14 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Michelle Crandall gave her final council report July 14, outlining accomplishments during her 5½-year tenure — including the recreation and wellness campus, a successful income-tax ballot initiative, and economic development wins — and said she will remain a Hilliard resident.","taxTitle","Hilliard, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",52752,"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},6169259,"Council approves PUD change to allow daycare and other uses at Heritage Club Drive site",6488,612000,7100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d&start=612&end=7100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d/thumbnail_612000.jpg","/articles/6169259/Hilliard/Franklin-County/Ohio/Council-approves-PUD-change-to-allow-daycare-and-other-uses-at-Heritage-Club-Drive-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169259-194687436244cd4a7177f45114a8a00c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183370&Signature=AOrBIR9uYmPxZirhZVaOT2d9OEzw2c2cXAc4zKwqgeLzuFn-~2kOkKTH31KddnOLx1jjZTCGaJNLWxhVD5KoeU~OOGA5FENOlcmxFuj-CxN1euPX~z35L~hn7AaGc8JR1F5OwyNkLcNQvqwpfFBikc~KkLs0wxvZhbvrSrQX9pSAQHil7-bh2EjWGE2YiK3dmVeRO2AlkUSKzDTq2azBGCH-0hV096~awO4CfpCgCN5VuuYjzaOZLWPSC77ABgTtvkDUiQ43rOEUG69TiCL62oQB3EARs~KqOmqt4nH2UYLHoXuXKfvWyVwym7TUH8T6nzVEKRvc2r4CbIiy5i9Zsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HILLIARD, Ohio — The Hilliard City Council voted July 14 to modify the Heritage Lakes planned unit development to allow additional uses, including childcare, broader office types, and commercial schools or studios at 3617 Heritage Club Drive.

Resolution 25 R 59, which Council adopted by unanimous vote after a planning commission recommendation of 6‑0, updates the PUD text for the 1.26‑acre parcel. The property had been approved previously as a medical office building and was recently vacated; the applicant sought more flexible permitted uses to encourage re‑tenanting.

Planning staff described the change as broadening allowed uses to include daycare, any office type (medical, business, administrative or professional), and commercial schools or studios. The planning commission added a condition that any accessory outdoor playground area not be located in a vehicle use area; staff will require the play area to be placed in a green space area that does not interfere with parking or drive aisles.

Councilmember questions clarified that the site could be used for a single tenant daycare if the owner chose that option. Staff noted the property is not in the I‑270 corridor and that the use change does not implicate the higher-revenue strategic zone discussed elsewhere on the agenda.

The amendment takes effect at the earliest date allowable by law; the applicant will proceed to obtain any required permits and comply with conditions set by planning.","Council approved a modification to the Heritage Lakes PUD to add permitted uses including daycare, broader office categories and commercial schools/studios for a 1.26‑acre property at 3617 Heritage Club Drive; planning commission recommended approval 6‑0.",{"_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},6169263,"Council OKs 42,000‑sq‑ft exhibition center at Franklin County Fairgrounds",495,4961000,5456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d&start=4961&end=5456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d/thumbnail_4961000.jpg","/articles/6169263/Hilliard/Franklin-County/Ohio/Council-OKs-42000sqft-exhibition-center-at-Franklin-County-Fairgrounds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169263-5e639943c591d3929441edb0492362dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183370&Signature=XiHNWlMGe3WrkdH9GkbGarty5IgUEAYSlQJI09eUiHKawcGuNe3KrJVon0pJUL7lBfQ7f~22uvgetFsJtI723n16gKGl5wInju0fbcK8ixzVImt6OKaFlTrFxvSm2xbZ8fM6w77uiwL83Se-DNR0Ohq2TW1m7qbIvHAPZaUnJYndOFIloPKzPMhMqAQM4J-Z4qV6173J3F3QxRK~sLWJy~T2sk5FZJ3XiusFkgn7NQMaPMIHz6gKH-FrAzIasOLlhdffAcRNvGG8Eb86q26FVeDmqBsLj9x95Ij7RVIoSEn8B-AgL1nM6ry0GS8nrW8YwjXA6wElxCrJWK2hRpN4Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HILLIARD, Ohio — The Hilliard City Council on July 14 approved a conditional use permit allowing a new exhibition center and accessory buildings at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

The council approved resolution 25 R 56, which implements the planning commission’s positive recommendation for the 42,000–43,000 square foot exhibition hall, accessory parking, two decorative silo‑style structures (one for security, one for education/exhibits) and additional ground and wall signage.

Planning intern Xander Stoltz presented the application and site plan. He told council the building would sit on the eastern portion of the fairgrounds campus, include a wrap‑around porch to shelter fair participants and incorporate metal siding, metal roofing and a stone wainscot. He said paved parking would be located north and east of the building and that two possible locations for required stormwater retention ponds have been identified; the applicant will select a design meeting the city’s stormwater manual.

Stoltz described the security structure as a tower to provide oversight during large events; council members clarified that the tower would primarily be used by sheriff’s or event security during fair hours but the city would have access for other events. “It is just to be able to see over the whole site during events,” Stoltz said.

The planning commission approved both the level‑B site plan and sign variances on June 12 and forwarded a positive recommendation to council. Planning staff noted that the proposed use aligns with the 2023 community plan recommendation to maximize the fairgrounds’ facilities, landscaping and parking.

Council voted unanimously to approve the conditional use. Staff and the applicant said they will design stormwater controls consistent with the city’s standards and will place any playground or outdoor-use areas outside vehicle use zones as required by the commission’s conditions.

The conditional use allows the fairgrounds to proceed with final engineering and building permits subject to the conditions set by planning and engineering review.","Council approved a conditional use for a 42,000–43,000 square foot exhibition center and associated site improvements at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, including parking, signage, and a security tower; planning commission recommended approval.",{"_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},6169267,"Council narrows data-center options in I‑270 corridor zoning update, adopts ordinance after amendment",1626,2110000,3736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d&start=2110&end=3736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d/thumbnail_2110000.jpg","/articles/6169267/Hilliard/Franklin-County/Ohio/Council-narrows-data-center-options-in-I270-corridor-zoning-update-adopts-ordinance-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169267-fb4bf4a403ef8433f489c7ea12762c93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183370&Signature=YEv9PBGUSe6P03H1UCy7jsvvYrJJglGfshz3MQlxrb4l6cNrJQ5bjZvBJl506cy1zC8DGPJ1KW0wZZWZzerboeb3uweBmjPnqJf7NBg1~6cSHbBYgwrP1xa1HW7UGdSHE519MwKhpT6heRrvoEAoz8Ar9YWuPwIZhbVuFXUxNMcVvpCKUpZa3fXE~fpaqovXAvhLMBPVyMTRYUleYWqFrPX9mTKgMm~aohuBDaQ192GhI1Y2yL81uUZSkpiobWEt6OUyJ4~kp0wMhYxXTULBjT0jCMIPp4enh1jgmq4ceVJ2TGh7b9jaVR3KtP33npk9GwaVzkX7MTxo4newLSZK8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HILLIARD, Ohio — The Hilliard City Council adopted ordinance 25‑17 on July 14 to update zoning for properties in the I‑270 corridor, and during the meeting council amended the legislation to limit how data centers can be sited under the new rules.

Council voted to adopt the ordinance as amended after selecting an amendment that removed data centers as a secondary permitted use and instead required them to proceed through a zoning-change or conditional-use process (the council vote on the amendment passed 3‑?; the final ordinance passed by roll call as amended). The ordinance will take effect at the earliest date allowable by law.

City planning staff presented four options for treating data centers in the new flex-employment zoning: retain data centers as a secondary permitted use with a high-density threshold (option 1); make them a conditional use (option 2); remove them as a permitted secondary use so any future request would require rezoning/conditional approval (option 3); or allow them but cap data-center floor area at a percentage of permitted uses on a site (option 4). Planning staff explained option 1 would practically limit stand‑alone data centers because the secondary-permitted-use threshold requires significant existing permitted-use density, while option 4 would allow smaller, accessory data centers but limit their size.

Council opted for option 3 in an amendment motion on the floor. Supporters of the amendment said it preserves council review authority and prevents large, stand‑alone data-center campus projects from appearing under the secondary‑use language. Planning staff cautioned that option 3 might deter some site selectors who would not pursue a parcel if the use is not listed as permitted, while proponents said requiring a public rezoning or conditional-use process ensures community review.

Planning staff also outlined adjacency and step‑down standards limiting building height near residential districts, including a requirement that buildings over two stories or 35 feet and abutting residential districts be set back an additional 50 feet. Staff noted the overall zoning package implements concepts from the 2023 community plan to encourage mixed-use development and flex-employment opportunities.

Council debate included questions about how often flex‑tech employers actually need dedicated data‑center buildings; staff said many companies confine computing needs to rooms within facilities and that standalone data-center buildings typically require substantial users.

The ordinance also includes design standards, height limits, and a “secondary permitted use” framework that requires 10,000 square feet of permitted uses per acre before secondary uses apply. The council approved the ordinance as amended and will publish it per standard procedures.","Hilliard City Council adopted ordinance 25‑17 revising zoning for the I‑270 corridor and voted to remove automatic allowances for standalone data centers, approving an amendment (option 3) that requires data centers to come forward as a zoning change or conditional use.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169270,"Council approves PUD change allowing indoor recreation at Britton Parkway site over staff objections",2909,485000,3394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d&start=485&end=3394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404857-4e6a0b385561d57dc57f4af2240b6c3d/thumbnail_485000.jpg","/articles/6169270/Hilliard/Franklin-County/Ohio/Council-approves-PUD-change-allowing-indoor-recreation-at-Britton-Parkway-site-over-staff-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169270-90661420047176e425ae427cdc9a6b4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183370&Signature=S1x18An~kxd9mmaggxwYSC6z6JmC3jJgD85S0exT4ZOspVkw5prLrY1kzUXEEe7~4NXO~5qGJ-qcZGy2hiQavZ1s7rwcz7bCuE6Z3CcEcFMdM6mpnk8F5c6-7Wbr4QkmQ3EZaBNmd7qxHvmBz~4sp000T5yVnIIGMnr~QyCry9WpzTgW1qN8OQI5vU672tnUX-mZ5Z2~SpULkX2-lewCugTBwvmZquRemg9HSaKurhniIjQDTmQ9PIx-uikYtx7aIJEelv~9Gq6uxQHUz-NVwnN48-Y58oyRPHMxFMh~VI1iUOlzBV99AkpqYgngSfwtunwIPG-BE~GjN6x86vk5ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HILLIARD, Ohio — The Hilliard City Council on July 14 approved a change to the Ansmill planned unit development text to allow indoor commercial recreation and health-and-fitness facilities in Subarea C‑4, a move supporters said will attract residents and visitors and opponents said could undercut earlier economic-development goals.

The 5-2 vote adopted resolution 25 R 58 as amended; Council members Les Carrier, Cynthia Vermillion, Emily Cole, Greg Betts and Miss Hale voted yes; President Tina Catone and Vice President Teeter voted no.

Council members and local developers framed the vote as a balance between economic strategy and community amenities. “Pickleball remains the fastest growing sport in America,” Councilwoman Cynthia Vermillion said during debate, arguing the facility would draw younger adults and spur restaurant and retail spending. “This is a prime demographic that the city of Hilliard should be interested in.”

Developer Steve Wathan, who described his company’s investments in the TruePoint/Truman Boulevard area, urged approval. “I respectfully request that you approve the rewording of our zoning tonight,” Wathan told council during public comment, saying the changes would help lease space and support nearby employers he credited with staying in Hilliard.

Staff and other council members warned the amendment undercuts conditions tied to earlier incentives used to secure major employers in the I‑270 corridor. David Meadows, a city staff member summarizing the city’s economic-development role in the project, said the city contributed about $700,000 for stormwater relocation to retain a major employer on the site and that lower-intensity tenants could reduce projected annual tax revenue by roughly $50,000. “The issue at hand really was this site, the incentive mix that we had there,” Meadows said.

Council discussion focused on whether the change would permit a stand-alone recreational tenant to occupy large portions of the building or whether the language limited fitness uses to a portion of a tenant’s leased space. Planning staff explained the intended limit had been that such fitness or recreation uses would not be stand‑alone primary uses and historically were meant to be subordinate to a principal tenant. Opponents said the current amended text as written could be read to allow a standalone large recreational tenant.

Pickleball Kingdom representatives and local residents spoke in favor during public comment. Steve Niehoff, who identified himself as the franchise owner for Pickleball Kingdom’s Columbus territory, said the sport draws visitors and spending: “We average 300 visitors a day after 2 years,” he said, arguing many players travel 10–20 minutes and spend money at nearby restaurants and shops.

Council members who opposed the amendment cited commitments made when the site was incentivized and expressed concern about precedent in the I‑270 revenue corridor. President Tina Catone said she supported indoor pickleball in Hilliard but not at this location because of the city’s prior incentive package and the expectation of higher‑yield tenants.

The amendment applies to Subarea C‑4 within the Ansmill PUD text and does not change the city’s zoning policy elsewhere. The ordinance language adopted replaces prior text to explicitly list indoor commercial recreation and health-and-fitness facilities among permitted uses for that subarea. The modification will take effect at the earliest date allowed by law.

Supporters said the facility could increase local activity and benefit nearby retail. Opponents asked staff to monitor tenant mix in the remainder of the subarea to ensure alignment with the city’s financial objectives.

Council did not adopt additional restrictions beyond the amended PUD text on the council floor; the adopted language will govern what uses are permitted in that specific PUD subarea going forward.","The Hilliard City Council voted 5-2 to amend the Ansmill planned unit development to allow indoor commercial recreation and health-and-fitness facilities in Subarea C‑4, clearing the way for a proposed Pickleball Kingdom tenant. Council and staff debated the city’s prior economic incentives and the potential fiscal tradeoffs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall to depart after five and a half years; council, staff praise tenure

Council approves PUD change to allow daycare and other uses at Heritage Club Drive site

Council OKs 42,000‑sq‑ft exhibition center at Franklin County Fairgrounds

Council narrows data-center options in I‑270 corridor zoning update, adopts ordinance after amendment

Council approves PUD change allowing indoor recreation at Britton Parkway site over staff objections