Developer proposes 'blue-collar' incubator on Summer Road; seeks planned-district rezoning

Todd Farris, the property owner, and Jess Miller presented a concept plan for a mixed-use "blue-collar incubator" on Summer Road during a Pataskala City Development Committee meeting. They said the project would require rezoning the parcel to a planned district to consolidate several existing zoning designations and allow a mix of flex office, storage/garage bays and a small commercial outparcel.

The proposal is intended to provide secure, small-scale spaces for contractors and tradespeople to keep trucks and equipment and to lease small office/storage combinations. "I kind of see this as a blue collar incubator," Jess Miller said. "There's no place for guys like me who are starting a business from scratch to keep our trucks and keep our tools." Miller identified himself and gave an address during his remarks.

The committee pressed presenters on several technical and safety questions. Committee member Andy asked whether the school had agreed to emergency-access arrangements; Miller said he had a written agreement with the school permitting a gated emergency access through the school parking…