Commission approves final development plan, design review and setback variance for Taylor Road industrial building

The Gahanna Planning Commission on Feb. 26 approved a final development plan, design review and a variance to allow construction of a new 21,000-square-foot industrial building at 1641-1687 Taylor Road in Taylor Industrial Park.

The three applications were filed under the former Office Commerce and Technology (OCT) zoning rules. The applicant, owner Robert Levesque, and planning staff said the project matches existing development on the site in use and exterior materials and that the proposed building would occupy the northwest front corner of a previously approved larger development.

Under the former code, Chapter 11.55.04(B)(1) required a 75-foot front setback for warehouse, manufacturing and industrial uses; the applicant requested a variance to locate the building about 40 feet from the right of way. Planning staff recommended approval of the variance, design review and final development plan, noting the variance would not be required under the current (new) code, which reduces the required setback to 20 feet for the comparable district.

Levesque told commissioners the site constraints, including a stream to the rear of the parcel, required shifting the building forward and that the flex/warehouse product needs a minimum depth to be commercially viable. The plan includes 31 new parking spaces, approximately 8,400 square feet of landscaping, parking-lot trees and a front setback of about 40 feet. Exterior materials were described as tumbleweed and light tan panels with stone accents.

During the hearing no members of the public spoke in opposition. Commissioners asked questions about sidewalks, stormwater detention and typical tenant uses; staff said engineering requires sidewalks within the right of way in this location and that an existing multiuse path is present along Taylor Road. Stormwater detention was described as existing and sized for the development, and commissioners were told the buildings are typically constructed as speculative (shell) space for future tenants.

Commissioner Mako moved to approve the variance application (VDash0006-2025); Commissioner Shpaka seconded. The commission then separately approved the design review (DRDash0001-2025) and the final development plan (FDPDash0001-2025) by motions following the same pattern; roll call recorded affirmative votes and each motion passed.

Approvals allow the project to proceed to permitting under the conditions shown in the approved final development plan and design drawings.