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Grove City aligns marijuana-retailer spacing with state measurement; residents urge pause
Summary
Council voted Aug. 4 to amend local code so the 500-foot marijuana-retailer buffer is measured according to state practice, prompting public opposition over potential sites near treatment centers; council noted any retailer still must secure a special-use permit and return for council approval.
Grove City council approved Ordinance C3125 on Aug. 4 to change how the city measures the 500-foot buffer between retail marijuana retailers and specified sensitive uses, bringing the local measurement method into alignment with state practice.
City Attorney Steven Smith said the change simply mirrors the state’s approach to measuring the shortest distance between a facility's structure and a prohibited property's parcel line, which can yield different results than the city's earlier method. “Framing it the way the state does cut down on inconsistencies,” Smith said.
Several residents warned that the change could make certain properties more suitable for retailers. Michelle Poduchik and Jim Hanninger spoke during public comment, saying they feared the amendment would make dispensary locations — potentially including a site near Jackpot Road and the Ohio Addiction Recovery Center — more feasible.
Poduchik asked the council to stop the code change, saying she viewed it as the first step toward allowing dispensaries in the city. Council members replied that any retail marijuana facility would still need to come back to council for a special-use permit, giving residents another formal opportunity to weigh in.
On the merits, supporters said aligning with state measurement standards reduces legal risk and inconsistent outcomes across properties. Opponents said the change should be deferred until broader community outreach or a local referendum is considered.
Vote and next steps: Council approved the ordinance on second reading (roll-call vote recorded; some members voted no). Any prospective retailer would still need to seek a special-use permit and a future council public hearing for site approval.
