Council approves PUD change allowing indoor recreation at Britton Parkway site over staff objections

HILLIARD, Ohio — The Hilliard City Council on July 14 approved a change to the Ansmill planned unit development text to allow indoor commercial recreation and health-and-fitness facilities in Subarea C‑4, a move supporters said will attract residents and visitors and opponents said could undercut earlier economic-development goals.

The 5-2 vote adopted resolution 25 R 58 as amended; Council members Les Carrier, Cynthia Vermillion, Emily Cole, Greg Betts and Miss Hale voted yes; President Tina Catone and Vice President Teeter voted no.

Council members and local developers framed the vote as a balance between economic strategy and community amenities. “Pickleball remains the fastest growing sport in America,” Councilwoman Cynthia Vermillion said during debate, arguing the facility would draw younger adults and spur restaurant and retail spending. “This is a prime demographic that the city of Hilliard should be interested in.”

Developer Steve Wathan, who described his company’s investments in the TruePoint/Truman Boulevard area, urged approval. “I respectfully request that you approve the rewording of our zoning tonight,” Wathan told council during public comment, saying the changes would help lease space and support nearby employers he credited with staying in Hilliard.

Staff and other council members warned the amendment undercuts conditions tied to earlier incentives used to secure major employers in the I‑270 corridor. David Meadows, a city staff member summarizing the city’s economic-development role in the project, said the city contributed about $700,000 for stormwater relocation to retain a major employer on the site and that lower-intensity tenants could reduce projected annual tax revenue by roughly $50,000. “The issue at hand really was this site, the incentive mix that we had there,” Meadows said.

Council discussion focused on whether the change would permit a stand-alone recreational tenant to occupy large portions of the building or whether the language limited fitness uses to a portion of a tenant’s leased space. Planning staff explained the intended limit had been that such fitness or recreation uses would not be stand‑alone primary uses and historically were meant to be subordinate to a principal tenant. Opponents said the current amended text as written could be read to allow a standalone large recreational tenant.

Pickleball Kingdom representatives and local residents spoke in favor during public comment. Steve Niehoff, who identified himself as the franchise owner for Pickleball Kingdom’s Columbus territory, said the sport draws visitors and spending: “We average 300 visitors a day after 2 years,” he said, arguing many players travel 10–20 minutes and spend money at nearby restaurants and shops.

Council members who opposed the amendment cited commitments made when the site was incentivized and expressed concern about precedent in the I‑270 revenue corridor. President Tina Catone said she supported indoor pickleball in Hilliard but not at this location because of the city’s prior incentive package and the expectation of higher‑yield tenants.

The amendment applies to Subarea C‑4 within the Ansmill PUD text and does not change the city’s zoning policy elsewhere. The ordinance language adopted replaces prior text to explicitly list indoor commercial recreation and health-and-fitness facilities among permitted uses for that subarea. The modification will take effect at the earliest date allowed by law.

Supporters said the facility could increase local activity and benefit nearby retail. Opponents asked staff to monitor tenant mix in the remainder of the subarea to ensure alignment with the city’s financial objectives.

Council did not adopt additional restrictions beyond the amended PUD text on the council floor; the adopted language will govern what uses are permitted in that specific PUD subarea going forward.