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Commission approves revised landscape plan for Canal Winchester High School, allows fee‑in‑lieu for 50 trees
Summary
The commission approved amendments to SDP‑25‑008 and FDP‑25‑004 for Canal Winchester High School (300 Washington St.), allowing the school district to pay a $350 per‑tree fee in lieu of planting 50 of the 100 required building/parking trees; funds will go into the city's general fund/street tree program.
The Canal Winchester Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 12 approved amended site and final development plans for the Canal Winchester Local School District’s high school at 300 Washington Street, allowing the applicant to reduce on‑site planting and pay a fee in lieu for 50 of the building/parking trees originally required.
Staff reported that the school district had originally been required to plant 100 trees tied to building and parking impacts (plus 45 replacement trees), and that the amended proposal reduces the on‑site planting count by 50 for the building/parking component. Under Chapter 1191.05 staff cited a fee‑in‑lieu option for commercial properties above 50 trees; the fee in this case is $350 per tree. Staff recommended approval after determining the revised landscaping plan meets zoning requirements.
Commissioners asked how the fee would be used; staff said prior fees have boosted the city’s street tree program by roughly 40% in the year after a major payment and that the money would go into the general fund and be earmarked for the street‑tree program. Commissioners expressed understanding that the school district’s decision reflected maintenance and long‑term care considerations and cost/value tradeoffs for species selection.
The commission approved SDP‑25‑008 and FDP‑25‑004 amendments in separate motions; both motions passed by unanimous roll call of the five members present.
