Pataskala approves conditional use for quick-service vehicle maintenance at West Broad and John Rees with traffic-signal condition

The Pataskala Board of Zoning Appeals approved a conditional use Aug. 12 allowing a quick-service vehicle maintenance facility (an oil-change/vehicle servicing business) on a 0.57-acre portion of a larger commercial parcel at the Northeast corner of John Rees Parkway and West Broad Street.

The proposed structure is roughly 1,470 square feet with nine on-site parking spaces and a two-vehicle-wide access lane and stacking for about six vehicles. Planning staff noted that under Pataskala code (section 12.49.04(5)) all operations for the motor-vehicle garage conditional use must be conducted within an enclosed building and there must be no open storage or dismantled parts visible beyond the premises. The staff report described site access and pedestrian improvements across the larger development, including a multiuse path on West Broad and sidewalks on Richard Conine Street, and listed landscaping, lighting and masonry dumpster-enclosure details.

Staff flagged two infrastructure items for further review: 1) stormwater — the city engineer must confirm the existing storm pond has capacity for the additional runoff associated with the development; and 2) sewer capacity — the wastewater reclamation facility has limited capacity and will only release capacity after an Ohio EPA PTI or upon issuance of a zoning permit. Staff also noted the motor vehicle use will require an oil/water separator on the sewer line and a backflow device for water service. As with the other parcels in the development, staff included a condition that a traffic signal and any required intersection improvements be installed at John Rees Parkway and West Broad Street as part of the overall project.

Owner-developer representatives (Jerry Royce and David Parker of the developer) said they have worked with staff on site design, landscaping and buffering and reiterated the developer’s commitment to the traffic signal and site screening. After the board reviewed the conditional-use criteria, members voted to approve the conditional use, with conditions requiring the applicant address public-service, utilities and planning comments, complete the use within six months or request an extension, and install the intersection signal and any additional required intersection improvements.