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Council advances ordinance to clarify when infrastructure standards apply to large developments
Summary
City planning staff proposed Ordinance 0001-2025 to amend Gahanna zoning code Section 11.17.1(E)(1)(a) so infrastructure requirements (sidewalks, storm sewer, street lighting) apply to projects that go through site civil-engineering review rather than minor permits. Council advanced the ordinance for first reading and set a public hearing.
Gahanna planning staff presented Ordinance 0001-2025 on Feb. 10, 2025, proposing an amendment to City of Gahanna Code, Part 11 (zoning), Section 11.17.1(E)(1)(a) to clarify when infrastructure standards apply. Michael Blackford, Director of Planning, said the change would attach those standards to site civil-engineering plans typically tied to larger land-disturbing projects rather than to minor permits such as sheds or fences.
The ordinance would not create a new set of standards but would change when adherence is required. "This section of code talks about infrastructure related improvements, such as sidewalks and storm sewers, street lighting," Director Michael Blackford said. He added the intent is to clarify that projects subject to site civil engineering plans — generally projects involving about an acre of disturbance such as subdivisions or new commercial construction — must meet the listed infrastructure requirements.
The amendment follows a staff review of the existing language, which Blackford said dates back at least to 1975 and did not clearly differentiate permit types. He told council the planning commission gave a unanimous recommendation of approval. Blackford said chapter 9 contains related, more detailed code language and that additional chapter 9 changes will come before council soon.
Council members asked how the city will signal the correct permitting path to applicants. Blackford said larger projects generally receive early coordination with staff and that the forthcoming chapter 9 changes, together with permit-software flags, should make the process clearer for both internal staff and external applicants. He acknowledged the ordinance does not enumerate every trigger but relies on the site civil-engineering plan and associated permit processes to define applicability.
Council did not record a roll-call vote during the Committee of the Whole discussion. The item was advanced for first reading and scheduled for a public hearing. Council indicated the ordinance will appear for first reading next week and a second reading and public hearing on March 3, 2025.
The proposal is intended to reduce confusion created by varying staff interpretations and to remove infrastructure‑compliance requirements from minor permits where full site civil engineering review is not appropriate.
