Commission approves five conditional-use zoning certificates for warehouse/flex tenants; cases forwarded to council

The Hilliard Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 11 approved five conditional-use cases (PZ-25-74 through PZ-25-78) that formalize predominant warehouse or flex uses in several tenant spaces within a multi-building property. Each approval carried the four conditions recommended by staff and a specified maximum percentage of warehouse area for the tenant space.

Planning staff explained the approvals emerged after tenants sought new signage and the city discovered several spaces lacked current zoning certificates after a zone change. Staff reviewed floor plans and found multiple tenant spaces were greater than 50% warehousing — the threshold that now requires conditional-use review under the updated code — though many of the uses matched prior activity at the site. Staff recommended conditions and maximum warehouse-area limits for each tenant space so the uses are brought into compliance.

A representative from American Sign Studio, Kathy Demodovich, said the signage work helped reveal the missing zoning certificates and praised city staff’s assistance. “City of Hilliard helped us a lot because this was all because they needed a new (zoning certificate),” Demodovich said, noting the work will help tenants obtain signage and come into compliance.

Commissioners voted 6–0 on each of the five cases, and staff said the approvals will be forwarded to City Council for its review. The commission’s action is intended to regularize historic uses that predate the recent zoning changes and to attach conditions (including maximum warehouse-area limits) so the tenant activities match code expectations moving forward.