Staff seeks volunteers from Landmarks Commission for multi‑year zoning code rewrite and Old Town design standards

Planning staff announced the city is beginning a 16–18 month effort to rewrite Canal Winchester’s zoning code and asked the Landmarks Commission to provide a volunteer for a steering committee that will guide the process.

Andrew explained the rewrite will begin with a consultant and cover multiple topics, including potential allowance of accessory dwelling units, adjustments to commercial density allowances, and, most notably for landmarks members, converting Old Town guidelines into enforceable Old Town design standards embedded in the zoning code. Andrew said the goal is to replace advisory guidelines with minimum standards that would be administratively enforceable and would reduce reliance on discretionary review while preserving historic character. He said a preservation specialist at a recent conference was unaware of similar historic-preservation–as–zoning implementations in the tri-state area, making the proposal relatively novel.

Staff asked for one landmarks commission volunteer to serve on the steering committee along with two city council members, two planning-and-zoning commissioners, a CWICC member and a Chamber representative; staff also said city staff (including planning, the mayor and other staff) and the consultant will be heavily involved. The first steering-committee meeting tentatively was scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m., and staff said the steering committee will meet roughly four to five times over the 18 months, typically mid‑afternoon sessions (around 3–6 p.m.). Several commission members said they would consider volunteering and requested additional scheduling details before committing.

Andrew said drafts of proposed zoning changes — in particular the proposed Old Town design standards — would be shared with the landmarks commission before adoption so the commission could raise concerns and recommend changes. He said the zoning approach would aim to make some decisions administrative (like-for-like replacements) and require variances to deviate from standards, placing stronger regulatory teeth behind design expectations. The commission flagged scheduling and time commitment as the primary considerations before volunteering.

There was no formal vote recorded on the steering committee request; staff asked members to consider volunteering and to attend the first meeting if possible.