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Gahanna committee reviews petition to annex about 7.6 acres on Johnstown Road
Summary
Clerk Van Meter told the Committee of the Whole that petitioners seek annexation of roughly 7.6 acres at 4736 and 4722 Johnstown Road. Staff and the developer said annexation would precede any rezoning or final development plan; first reading is scheduled for Feb. 16.
Clerk Van Meter presented a memo asking the Committee of the Whole to consider Ordinance 0072026, an ordinance "to accept the annexation of approximately 7.6 acres from Jefferson Township into the city of Gahanna for parcel IDs located at 4736 and 4722 Johnstown Road," and recapped that the petitioners had filed an expedited Type 2 annexation and that county review and the required 60‑day wait had completed.
Tim Spencer, representing the development team, told council the site is constrained and includes a pond at the rear that "may or may not exasperate flooding and drainage issues in the area," and that the group had begun outreach with neighbors. He said the annexation is being pursued primarily because the city’s sewer and water options make certain intensities of development feasible.
Councilmember Beaver asked for confirmation that annexation is a separate, prior step to rezoning: "So my understanding from the memo, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that should the annexation be accepted into the city, still to come would be the rezoning application and like a final development plan or a development." Staff and the developer confirmed that is the expected sequence and that rezoning and final development plan approvals would follow normal review and public‑notice processes.
Councilmember McGregor asked whether the city could obtain control of the riparian corridor or preserve parkland access along the floodplain; the developer said residents had offered mixed feedback about options such as protective easements or making the pond an amenity and committed to further technical work and additional resident conversations.
Clerk Van Meter said the annexation ordinance will have first reading on Feb. 16 and that adoption would follow on second reading; council chose to place the item on the regular agenda rather than consent so the annexation will return for formal readings.
Next steps: staff and the developer will continue technical reviews on stormwater, access and building‑height compatibility, continue resident outreach, and prepare the ordinance for first reading on Feb. 16.
