The Gahanna Planning Commission on Aug. 27 unanimously approved a major development plan and four variances for a redevelopment of 191 Granville Street to allow Northwest Bank to renovate the long‑vacant former PNC building.

The approvals clear a path for exterior renovations, a relocated drive‑thru at the rear of the site, changes to parking layout and screening, and a departure from the zoning code's primary‑facade transparency requirement. City planning staff recommended approval of the major development plan and all variance requests.

Planning staff described the site as zoned CMU (Creekside mixed use) and said the building has been vacant for about five years. The project proposal includes new exterior materials, moving the drive‑thru to the rear, shifting parking farther from the right of way, added landscaping, and sidewalk upgrades. Under the current code, drive‑thrus are listed as an accessory use and are not permitted in CMU; because this redevelopment would substantially alter the site, a use variance was required for the drive‑thru to remain.

Staff said the application requests four variances: (1) allow a drive‑thru accessory use in CMU, (2) reduce the required 40% transparency on the primary facade (proposed 32%), (3) allow six parking spaces to remain in front of the primary facade where parking normally cannot extend past the front facade, and (4) reduce the required 10‑foot side/rear parking setback to 5 feet from the west property line. The zoning packet lists the applicable code sections as sections 1105.01(b), 1107.02(c)(f) (Creekside mixed use design standards), and 1109.01(a)(14) (parking, access and circulation) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Gahanna. Staff recommended approval, noting the proposed site aligns more closely with current code than the existing condition and the drive‑thru would be relocated out of view from the right of way with added screening.

Steven Bell, director of corporate real estate for Northwest Bank, told the commission the bank intends to reuse the existing structure rather than demolish and rebuild, which limits how much glass can be added to meet the 40% transparency standard: "We're trying to reuse that structure. That's why we can't meet the 40% glass transparency. We have existing column lines and things like that we're trying to work with." Bell also described the bank's automated teller machines (ITMs): "their ITMs, 7 right now, 7 in the morning, 7 at night, you can interface with a live teller. And after those hours, it's kind of operates as a normal ATM." He and design team members said the ATMs and the back‑of‑site stacking will be lit and that a photometric plan was submitted.

Landscape architect Dave Sabina said reconfiguring angled parking to gain more landscaping would reduce the total number of spaces and could conflict with ADA van‑accessible requirements: "If we angle the spaces on that side, we end up losing spaces. You gain more 90 degree spaces and angled spaces. Plus, the way the ADA accessibility code is written for the van accessible parking space, that space cannot be skewed. It has to remain as a rectangle." The application provides 16 parking spaces where the zoning table requires a minimum of seven; the applicant said six spaces at the front would be used by staff and the remainder for customers.

Commissioners asked about safety for ATMs placed at the rear; Bell and the design team said the rear area will be lit, the machines have canopies with lighting, and trash handling would be limited and secured. Commissioners also discussed a proposed sidewalk extension to the property line for future connectivity to Shoal Avenue, reconstruction of an existing brick sidewalk to meet accessibility standards, and a required right‑of‑way dedication per the city's thoroughfare plan. Planning staff confirmed the applicant would grant the additional right of way and replace the brick sidewalk to meet ADA requirements.

Several commissioners praised the redevelopment of the five‑year vacant site as an improvement for Granville Street. After discussion, Commissioner Mako moved to approve the major development plan (DP‑0006‑2025); Commissioner Shabaka seconded. The commission then voted to approve the variance application (V‑0021‑2025). Both motions passed by roll call vote with all members present voting yes.

Both approvals require the applicant to complete any required permits and comply with the conditions and construction standards shown in the approved plans and the city's development regulations. The commission's staff report and the application packet contain additional technical details and the specific plan drawings for parking, landscaping and lighting.