Planning commission approves daycare permit, OKs surface detention plan change; conceptual commercial plan reviewed

Westerville planning commission representatives told City Council that commissioners reviewed three items and granted approvals on two. The commission reviewed a conceptual plan for a 1.8-acre outlot in the Zumstein North development and approved two development-related requests: a conditional use permit for a home daycare at 679 East College Avenue and a modification allowing surface stormwater detention for phase one of a two‑phase development near County Line Road and State Route 3.

The conceptual review for the 1.8‑acre Zumstein North outlot (between a VW dealership and a Chick‑fil‑A) showed a proposal to split the parcel into two buildings: a bank on the west side and a fast‑food restaurant with a drive‑through. No vote was taken; the presentation was a request for feedback on siting, drive‑through proximity and the location of an underground box culvert beneath the site.

Planning commission feedback on the conceptual plan focused on avoiding construction over the existing underground box culvert and on the siting and number of drive‑through lanes.

The commission approved a conditional use permit allowing the owner‑operator to run a daycare at 679 East College Avenue that would serve up to 11 children. Planning commission representative Michael Glasgow said the approval carried three conditions: no exterior signage for the daycare, construction of a driveway turnaround within 12 months to reduce backing onto College Avenue, and maintenance of required state licensure. Glasgow said the permit is limited to the current owner‑operator; it does not automatically transfer to future owners.

A third item—a modification to the development plan for a two‑building project (10,000‑square‑foot childcare facility and a 4,800‑square‑foot office on 2.4 acres near County Line and SR 3)—sought to change the required stormwater detention from underground retention (built in phase one) to surface detention during phase one, with the underground system to be constructed when phase two is built. Planning commission approved that modification provided the surface detention be designed to the satisfaction of the city engineer and include landscaping so the visible detention area is aesthetically treated.

Council members asked staff about timing and safety for a separate planned request from Uptown Westerville Inc. to temporarily move the farmers market to the parking lot behind Cohatch during building renovation; council members asked staff to examine pedestrian crossing and parking impacts. Planning commission noted a separate conditional use application for operation of a private club will be considered in a future meeting.

The commission's decisions are administrative planning actions; the conditional use permit and the development modification are subject to the conditions described above and to any required building and safety permits.

Implementation notes: the daycare CUP is limited to the current owner/operator and requires a driveway turnaround within 12 months; the surface detention design requires city engineer approval and landscaping prior to issuance of any final occupancy for the first phase.