Reynoldsburg planning board opens broad zoning-code review covering EV chargers, signage, parking and innovation-district rules

Board Chair called the Reynoldsburg Planning and Zoning Board to order at 6:02 p.m. Feb. 6 and opened a workshop on proposed zoning-code updates that staff say are intended to clarify ambiguous provisions and address issues that repeatedly required variances.

Director Felix Meyer, leading the presentation for planning staff, told the board that staff reviewed variance applications from 2023 and 2024 and found 29 cases that commonly raised questions for the code—15 related to wall signs, three to taller or larger monument signs and six to building setback requests. "This is just a number of variances. This isn't what was approved. This is just what was applied for that actually made it to the board," Meyer said.

The workshop grouped proposed revisions into topic areas. Meyer said staff’s goal is to return in May with concrete draft language so the board and public can review formal amendments.

Why it matters: The changes aim to reduce repeat variance requests, give clearer guidance to applicants, and modernize the code in areas not anticipated in the 2019 rewrite — including electric-vehicle (EV) charging, commercial signage, parking and design standards for larger, higher-tech sites in the city’s Innovation District.

Key topics and staff proposals

- EV chargers: "the city of Columbus passed an EV ordinance, I think it was about a year ago," Meyer said while noting Reynoldsburg’s code currently lacks consistent standards for how chargers are classified, screened or regulated. Staff will research other cities’ thresholds for mandatory chargers on multifamily or large commercial sites and return with options. A board member suggested exploring parking reductions tied to EV installations; Meyer said staff will include that in their…