Reynoldsburg board hears conditional-use application for Caribbean Grocery; occupancy and zoning-citation issues remain

At its May meeting, the Reynoldsburg Planning and Zoning Board considered a conditional-use application from John Gleeson on behalf of Caribbean Grocery Store LLC for 6014 East Livingston Avenue and discussed a related zoning code violation and the building’s certificate-of-occupancy status.

Planning staff described the site as a 0.24-acre parcel with a 7,072-square-foot building and a 1,245-square-foot tenant space that the applicant seeks to use for food sales, small-format grocery. Staff said the proposed store would operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., employ two people and receive vendor deliveries once or twice a week; the applicant provided two interior layouts and showed the required 10% of floor area for fresh produce (about 125 square feet).

John Gleeson, representing the applicant, told the board the business is currently closed and said he would file for a certificate of occupancy after submitting a zoning certificate and the conditional-use materials. “We are…fine with the staff recommendations and the requirements as indicated,” Gleeson said, and added that he planned to submit a final site plan after the recently approved drive-aisle variance is finalized by the city council.

Staff summarized parking and layout details: the site plan shows 23 parking spaces but the code requires 24; however, because the parcel is within 1,200 feet of a bus stop the applicant qualifies for a 10% parking reduction, which reduces the required parking to 22 spaces. Staff recommended approval of the conditional use with conditions including final site-plan submittal showing required and ADA parking, identification of which interior layout will be used, and a definition restricting “fresh produce” to fruits and vegetables.

The board’s chair moved to accept the conditional-use application with the staff conditions; the motion was seconded and the chair asked staff to call the roll. The transcript excerpt does not include the completed roll call or a recorded vote for this item.

The board and city counsel also described the zoning-enforcement process: staff said the city issues a notice of violation and sets a compliance date; if the owner does not comply the city may cite the owner into mayor’s court or pursue an injunction in Franklin County Municipal Court or environmental court. Counsel noted that because an administrative appeal was filed the city cannot pursue further enforcement while the appeal is pending; counsel and staff said the appeal is moot while the business is closed but could be reactivated if the business reopens without required permits.

The board did not receive public comment on this item during the meeting excerpt.

The board’s action on the conditional-use motion and any formal vote tally for the 6014 East Livingston Avenue application are not recorded in the provided transcript segment.