Staff proposes moving Gahanna Planning Commission to monthly meetings and earlier start time; vote set for January

Planning staff presented a proposal Dec. 3 to reduce Gahanna Planning Commission meetings from twice monthly to once monthly in 2026 and to start meetings earlier (staff recommended 6:00 p.m.). The proposal reflected a multi-year review showing fewer agenda items per meeting, an increased share of variances and multiple meeting cancellations since a zoning-code update.

Mr. Blackford, planning staff, said the city typically allows applicants to begin building-permit or engineering processes before formal planning-commission approval, making an increased meeting cadence less urgent for many applicants. "Staff would respectfully request that we move our meeting times to 06:00," Blackford said, noting peer communities more commonly meet once monthly and earlier in the evening.

Commissioners expressed mixed views. Supporters said a monthly schedule would reduce cancellations and be more efficient for staff and applicants; others cautioned that large, contentious projects (e.g., Creekside or major development plans) may require special meetings or continuations and that notice and charter rules about minimum meeting frequency and attendance may need review before changes are finalized.

Several commissioners suggested compromise start times (6:30 p.m.) or advance planning for special meetings and workshops for large projects. The commission did not vote on the schedule at the Dec. 3 meeting; the chair confirmed the item will be on the agenda and voted at the January organizational meeting.