Gahanna council advances pre-annexation agreement for Trivium project near Rocky Fork

Gahanna council members on Monday reviewed a pre-annexation agreement with Trivium Development and property owners Jimmy and Darlene Tony for land just south of the Barn at Rocky Fork, adjacent to the Morse Road/Johnstown-Morris Road roundabout.

The agreement describes the developers’ intent to pursue annexation and, if annexed, to seek general commercial zoning with a limited overlay allowing a mix of retail, office and conditional residential uses. "The pre-annexation agreement does not annex the property in. This really just is an instrument that says the intent here is to go through the annexation process," said Mr. Green, Department of Economic Development staff, explaining the document’s purpose.

Council members pressed developers on traffic, stormwater and wetlands protections. "It's so close to the Morse Road roundabout that I would ask that there would not be a traffic signal there because that would kind of mess up the functioning of the roundabout," said Mr. McGregor, a council member. Developer representatives said entrances would be pushed as far southeast on the site as possible to avoid interfering with roundabout operations. David Fisher, a Trivium representative, said the onsite pond is a wetland and "to mitigate that would be extremely expensive" and that the plan keeps the pond and may add walking trails and amenity features around it.

Councilmembers asked about flood risk and long-term stormwater management. Tim Spencer, president of Trivium Development, said the firm intends to preserve the pond area and that the project’s stormwater management would comply with state standards. "Our stormwater management will, as you know, by law, comply with the state stormwater management standards into the creek and into that pond as well," Mr. Fisher said.

Staff outlined the procedural steps for annexation: the developer must apply to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners; the city must provide a service agreement; after county approval there is a 60‑day wait period before the city votes on annexation. Council and the applicant discussed how the pre-annexation agreement is distinct from annexation and zoning and is primarily intended to set expectations and allow the city and developer to evaluate service needs. City staff noted sanitary and water connections and other infrastructure will be vetted as plans are refined.

Developers asked the council to advance the item quickly; they requested emergency legislation so the agreement would take effect immediately. Council opted instead to strike the emergency clause and add a waiver of the second reading so the item may be considered at the council’s May 5 meeting. The clerk confirmed the change and that, if passed on one reading, the 30‑day referendum period would apply.

Council members and the developers agreed to pursue public engagement with area residents during the annexation process and to explore connectivity and trail links to nearby retail and neighborhoods. No annexation or rezoning approvals were made at the meeting; those matters must return to council after county and city procedural steps are complete.