Canal Winchester council rezones 6270 Bowen Road for New River Electric, presses company to submit site plans and clean up visible storage

Canal Winchester — The Canal Winchester City Council voted on April 6 to rezone 9.27 acres at 6270 Bowen Road from General Commercial to Limited Manufacturing, clearing the way for New River Electric Corp. to continue and expand its operations on the assemblage of two parcels.

The council adopted Ordinance 26‑009 after a staff presentation and public comment. Planning staff called the rezoning compatible with nearby industrial employment uses and said recent and pending Ohio Department of Transportation work on U.S. 33 has clouded long‑term access assumptions that previously supported commercial zoning for the parcel. ‘‘ODOT is actively closing non‑full interchange crossings along the corridor,’’ planning staff said, a factor cited by the Planning & Zoning Commission when it recommended approval in February 2026.

Why it matters: Council members said the rezoning regularizes a long‑running nonconforming use and enables the formal review steps — site plan and occupancy certificate — that will address safety, screening and layout. Those subsequent permits are necessary before an occupancy certificate can be issued.

Applicant and council exchange: New River Electric’s legal counsel, Rajie Mcloff, told council the company’s occupancy ‘‘was a complete inadvertence’’ and that the rezoning application is intended to bring the site into compliance. ‘‘We apologize for that,’’ Rajie Mcloff said, adding the company hopes eventually to purchase the property once zoning is in place. John Jarvis, a company representative, said New River Electric is ‘‘thoroughly determined to see this all the way through and come in compliance.’’

Council members repeatedly asked about the visible outdoor materials and temporary structures on the lot. Planning staff reminded the council that temporary buildings without foundations (so‑called ConX boxes) are not permitted under the city’s zoning code and that outdoor storage must be screened from public view and residential neighbors. Mr. Moore said site‑plan and occupancy submittals would be the next steps and that city review of those materials typically returns comments within two to three weeks.

Enforcement and accountability: Several council members pressed city attorneys on how the municipality could hold the property owner or tenant accountable if promised cleanup steps are not completed. Law Director Mr. Bogs said the city can pursue citations in mayor’s court (which provides due process) and, if that does not secure compliance, can seek civil remedies in county environmental court — including injunctions, civil penalties or orders to vacate the premises.

The vote and next steps: Council voted to waive the second and third readings and adopted Ordinance 26‑009 in a recorded roll call (motion by Mr. Bennett, second by Mr. Shay). The ordinance rezones the parcels identified as PI184‑0000882 and PI184‑0000932 and does not itself grant an occupancy permit; the applicant must return with a site plan and an application for an occupancy certificate that must meet the limited‑manufacturing district’s standards before continued operations can be validated.

What’s next: With zoning approved, the applicant is expected to submit site plans and an occupancy certificate application and to work with city staff on required screening and layout changes. If the rezoning were not approved, the city indicated the tenant would have a timeline to vacate; with the zoning approved, failure to meet the follow‑up compliance timeline could trigger citations and civil enforcement.