Hilliard planning commission approves rezoning and multiple site plans, postpones two sign cases

The Hilliard Planning & Zoning Commission on an evening meeting approved a rezoning of four parcels at the northeast corner of Roberts Road and Alton Darby Road to the Hilliard Conservation District and granted approvals for several development and site-plan applications while postponing two sign-variance requests.

Staff told the commission the Circle K site — four parcels totaling about 1.2 acres — did not meet the Hilliard Conservation District (HCD) minimum tract size of 20 acres and the HCD open-space ratios, but recommended the rezoning because the parcel lies adjacent to an existing HCD area in the Halton Place/Alton Place subarea. Planning staff said the proximity justified obviating the usual minimum-tract requirement. The commission voted 5-0 to approve PZ-2536 as presented.

Why it matters: rezoning to HCD changes the allowable development path for the parcels and is the first step before a separate development plan application. Staff and applicants said a subsequent application would roll the site into the adjacent Alton Place HCD subarea and include a Level B site plan that could specify uses, architecture and open-space commitments.

In other actions the commission approved, unanimously, the Twins Hookah Lounge Old Hilliard District plan (PZ-2540) with five staff conditions, granted two…