Planning commission tables Waterloo Crossing retail expansion after design/material concerns

The Canal Winchester Planning & Zoning Commission voted on Oct. 13 to table site development plan SDP-25-009, a proposal that would add an approximately 11,094-square-foot expansion to the Waterloo Crossing retail center, after staff and commissioners raised concerns about façade massing, signage scale and material consistency with the original 2006 plaza design.

The applicant, represented by Jamie Hollisworth (ownership representative) and architect Rob McGinnis of Ford Architects, presented plans showing two tenant spaces — an approximately 8,381-square-foot “Tenant A” and a 2,713-square-foot “Tenant B” — to fill a long-vacant gap between Planet Fitness and Las Margaritas. Staff said parking for the overall plaza meets minimum requirements and the addition would not trigger more parking, but that the architectural treatment for Tenant A (a large flat parapet and an EIFS band with an oversized sign area) departs from the plaza’s established rhythm of tower elements and mansard/peak features.

Specific concerns and staff recommendations

- Signage area: Staff noted the proposed sign band would exceed the development text’s allowed letter/letter‑height sizes and suggested future tenant signage must conform to the Waterloo Crossing development standards. The applicant acknowledged tenant signage must meet permit requirements and said tenants would apply for signage separately. - Materials and color: Staff recommended matching the predominant plaza roof color (Hartford green) and the original brick (Hanson Patriot brick where available) to maintain visual cohesiveness. The applicant agreed to pursue closely matching materials and to add a dormer over the Las Margaritas storefront to tie into the plaza’s rhythm. - Massing: Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives the applicant studied — scaling down or repeating tower elements — and noted that while a larger national tenant drove a deeper and taller space, the plaza’s original pattern could be better respected through articulation or stepped parapets.

Outcome and next steps

Commissioners expressed appreciation for concessions already made (dormer, matched lighting and landscaping continuity) but agreed the addition still requires refinement to better integrate with the established plaza character. Mister Deeds moved to table SDP-25-009; Mister Palsgrove seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor of tabling. Staff and the applicant agreed to return with revised designs and material samples.