Development Commission hears heated public comment on proposed East Powell cannabis dispensary; commission records split recommendation

The Development Commission heard a contested rezoning request to reclassify 3812 East Powell Road to C‑4 commercial — a change the applicant says would permit an Ohio‑licensed cannabis dispensary.

Molly Gwynn, attorney for the applicant, told the commission the property annexed from Orange Township and that the owner intends to invest about $1,000,000 in site and facade improvements and expects to create roughly 35 jobs. "We're prepared to comply with the staff recommendations regarding additional buffering," Gwynn said, noting traffic review was handled by the Delaware County engineer.

Owner representative Eric Kametz described the site as already commercial in character and said state regulations tightly control dispensaries. "When you walk into the dispensary, you're gonna be met by somebody who's checking your ID...we're not allowed to have product on the sales floor," he said, arguing state law minimizes risks.

Opponents included Jim Palmasano, president of the Far North Columbus Communities Coalition, and Erica Faust, an Orange Township trustee, who both described robust neighborhood opposition and noted the township had rejected the proposal. Faust said trustees had seen more than 40 emails in opposition and recommended denial in township hearings. "The majority of people were in opposition to the location," she said.

Resident speakers raised concerns about proximity to neighborhoods and school bus routes, potential traffic impacts, and the precedent of applying broad C‑4 zoning that could allow other commercial uses. "This parcel is surrounded by homes," Fran Myers said, urging the commission to preserve residential character. Polaris area representatives also said they objected to dispensaries near their commercial park.

Commission members asked whether limitations could be placed on uses allowed in a straight C‑4 district, and applicant representatives said they were open to reasonable limits on other uses for the site. The chair noted the area commission had voted 8–1 to recommend disapproval; staff said some township trustees had voted to permit dispensaries in limited circumstances.

Chair Fitzpatrick described the commission’s final vote as a split recommendation (a five‑to‑one split was referenced on the record) and said the commission would forward its information sheet and the record to City Council for final consideration. The commission did not make a final zoning decision; the record and the split recommendation will be part of the council hearing.