Council introduces zoning change on required improvements; public hearing set for March 3

City Council on Feb. 17 introduced Ordinance 0001-2025, an amendment to Gahanna’s zoning code addressing required improvements, and set a public hearing for 7 p.m. on March 3, Clerk Van Meter read into the record.

Council President Bowers told the chamber the administration has informed council that companion engineering-code amendments are pending and that those changes are intended to address issues raised during public comment that evening.

During the hearing-of-visitors segment, resident Patricia Kovacs of 527 Heppersham Drive told council she had learned during a permit process that a neighbor was told she might have to give up as much as 20 feet of front-yard right-of-way for a future sidepath on East Johnstown Road, and that property owners were required to pay for an engineering study to build the sidepath. “I was very surprised,” Kovacs said, and asked whether the proposed ordinance would resolve that requirement.

President Bowers and administration staff said the forthcoming engineering-code amendments relate to the zoning change introduced and may clarify whether property owners are assessed for right-of-way or engineering costs; staff did not adopt new policy that evening and said clarification would come before the March 3 public hearing.

Also during public comment, Brenda Hoffman described difficulties neighbors face housing larger municipal refuse and recycling containers and said enforcement staff required fence permits for structures built to enclose bins; she urged the city to consider more flexible enforcement to support residents’ efforts to keep trash controlled.

Action on Ordinance 0001-2025 was limited to introduction and scheduling a public hearing; council did not vote on the zoning change itself. The administration indicated it will present the companion engineering-code amendments prior to the public hearing so council and the public can review how costs and right-of-way requirements would be implemented.

A consent agenda motion earlier in the meeting passed by roll call before introduction of the ordinance. Councilman Schnetzer moved to approve the consent agenda; Councilman Weaver seconded. The roll call recorded “yes” votes from Schnetzer, Weaver, Jones, McGregor, Padova, Renner and Powers; the clerk announced the motion carried.

The city will take public testimony at the March 3 hearing; written materials and the proposed engineering-code amendments will be posted to the city’s agenda or permitting pages when available.