The Gahanna Planning Commission on Aug. 13 approved a variance for a 25,000-square-foot building addition at the combined 875 and 909 Taylor Station Road site, allowing the expansion to be nine feet from the rear property line instead of the code-required 20 feet under Chapter 1103.15(E).

Staff had no objection to the requested rear-yard setback variance and noted an existing seven-foot fence on the adjacent Rosen property between the addition and the neighbor. Rosen submitted written public comment supporting the request while asking that the applicant consider additional lighting on the west side of the building for security and explore parking adjustments to reduce truck and trailer impacts on nearby public streets.

Applicant representatives said HG Hackney, which occupies the properties, needs roughly 20,000 square feet of cooler/freezer space and additional aisle room for forklift access; the proposed 25,000-square-foot addition connects two existing warehouses on a parcel that was recently combined. The design team said the location was constrained by a main gas line running through the southern building’s site, preventing shifting the addition farther from the rear line.

Commissioners asked about neighbor concerns, lighting, truck/trailer parking and fire access. Staff and the applicant said lighting design will be evaluated under future plan review and must meet zoning/code limits for glare and spillover; the fire marshal reviewed the application and supported it given planned three-hour fire barriers and proposed access. The applicant said additional employee parking would be accommodated on the acquired site, and argued the addition would consolidate off-site cooler/freezer operations onto the Taylor Station campus.

Commissioner Tamarkin moved approval; Commissioner Greenberg seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor and the motion carried. The approval at this stage is for the variance only; a separate development plan will be required before construction, during which the city will review details for lighting, parking, circulation and compliance with building and fire-code requirements.

Staff said they will vet lighting placement and parking details during subsequent plan review to ensure code compliance and to address Rosen’s concerns.