Planning Commission approves rezoning on Clover Valley Road with conditions limiting buildings in setbacks

The New Albany Planning Commission voted unanimously April 7 to approve Zoning Change 10 of 2025, rezoning roughly 15.4 acres along Clover Valley Road from IPUD to General Employment (LGE) to match adjacent property classification.

Planning staff described the parcels as currently developed in part by Kennel Club USA and said the proposed LGE text largely mirrors nearby districts; staff asked for clarification about language that would allow “screening and or structures” within setback areas. "Our site overall consists of a couple parcels located within Licking County," staff said during the presentation, noting setback requirements of a 50-foot pavement setback and a 100-foot building setback on Jug Street and Clover Valley.

The applicant, attorney Jack Reynolds of Smith and Hale, told commissioners the developer will accommodate capacity constraints by providing on-site power for portions of the development. "This developer has taken upon itself that it's going to provide its own power," Reynolds said, and described a proposed above-ground gas-meter area about 75 by 75 feet, enclosed by an eight- to 10-foot wall and set back from the pavement.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether the metering enclosure should be classified as a "structure" or a "building." Staff said an enclosure with walls but no roof would not be classified as a building under the current code, and recommended clarifying language so that buildings remain prohibited in setback areas while utilities or utility-related screening could be allowed. Staff and the applicant agreed to add the engineering department's recommended edits, require stamped landscape plans where applicable, and verify Ohio EPA and Army Corps permitting requirements during permitting.

The chair proposed three conditions for approval: comply with engineering comments and the staff report; prohibit buildings in setback areas where structures may otherwise be permitted; and require that structures placed in those setback exceptions be located in an area approved by staff (the chair specified the northwest part of the lot as the commission’s intent). Reynolds said those conditions aligned with the applicant's plans.

On roll call, the commission voted to admit the staff reports into the record and then approved the rezoning motion as conditioned. The approval passed on a 3-0 vote and will move to City Council for final action.

What’s next: The Planning Commission’s recommendation and the revised zoning text (including the clarified setback and utility-screening language) will be forwarded to City Council for consideration.