Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lighting Parking Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves variance for 42-foot parking light pole at Taylor Road Walmart pickup area
Summary
Planning staff recommended a height variance to maintain consistent lighting in a new online grocery pickup area at 2793 Taylor Road; the applicant’s representative said the taller pole reduces glare on adjacent properties and supports employee safety. The board approved the variance.
The Reynoldsburg Planning & Zoning Board on April 16 approved a variance allowing a 42-foot parking-light pole at 2793 Taylor Road to serve a new online grocery pickup area, voting that the increase meets safety and consistency concerns created by existing 42-foot fixtures on the site.
Staff (application 20260100) told the board the parcel was developed under prior code standards that permitted 42-foot poles and that requiring 20-foot poles in the new pickup area would create inconsistent illumination and potential safety issues for employees and customers. Staff recommended approval to maintain consistent lighting across the parking lot.
Kat Levine (applicant’s representative) told the board the proposed pole location is set further from property lines than existing poles and that the taller fixture improves visibility for employees crossing the pickup area. Levine said there is "really 0 chance" of increased light pollution onto adjacent properties because the proposed pole sits farther from the property line.
Board members asked whether alternatives — such as multiple shorter poles — had been evaluated. Staff said no alternative site plan showing shorter poles was provided for review. One board member said the staff report and prior variances on the site supported approval; another noted staff’s limited knowledge of complaint history but confirmed no complaints were known to staff.
A motion to approve the variance as submitted was made by the board member who identified himself as First and seconded by Ward; the roll call vote approved the variance.
The vote allows the installation tied to the online grocery pickup area; any required permits or inspections remain subject to standard building, electrical and site-plan processes.
