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Planning commission recommends narrow zoning-code fix to council
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a change to Chapter 11 (section 1117.10e1a) clarifying that listed improvements are required only when site civil engineering plans are required; commissioners said the tweak would simplify minor permitting.
The Gahanna Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to recommend that city council approve a targeted amendment to the city’s zoning code clarifying when certain required improvements apply.
The proposed change, listed as CC-0001-2025, would add language to section 1117.10e1a in Chapter 11 to specify that the improvements named in that section are required only when site civil engineering plans are required. Michael Blackford, director of planning, said the clarification would exempt minor permits such as fence or shed permits from the larger improvements list that traditionally applies to larger projects requiring civil engineering plans.
Blackford said the language is not new but needed updating to reflect practice: "This is a very simple change," he told commissioners, adding that the existing language dates to the 1970s and could be read to apply too broadly. The change was presented as a recommendation to city council; Chapter 11 amendments require Planning Commission action.
Commissioners generally supported the clarification but said it should not be read as removing the commission’s ability to require sidewalks or other public improvements where appropriate for new development. Commissioner Tamarkin warned that the commission has been "fairly consistent in new development in requiring sidewalks" and that sidewalks are important when new construction anticipates them.
Miss Poirier moved to recommend approval of CC-0001-2025; Mister Greenberg seconded. The commission approved the recommendation on a roll-call vote, with all members present voting yes. The motion carries. The planning department said related housekeeping changes in Chapter 9 will follow to move non‑zoning engineering and landscape requirements into the appropriate chapter.
Blackford said the broader Chapter 9 revision is underway and that a redline of Chapter 11 showing deletions will appear before the commission later in the year. Commissioner comments noted the change should speed permitting and reduce unnecessary requirements for small, routine projects while preserving the commission’s role on larger site developments.
