Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - January 12, 2026

Meeting convened at 6:15 PM for executive session (pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(1) and (G)(3)) and reconvened publicly at 7:00 PM. Adjourned at 8:29 PM.

The council considered a wide range of items including a special employee recognition, multiple liquor license transfers and new applications, annexation ordinances, zoning amendments, a development plan for a new coffee shop, fee schedule updates, and a pre-annexation agreement with Olentangy Local Schools. The meeting began with an invocation by Police Chaplain Rev. Dan Newer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Motion Summary (Dec. 15, 2025): Passed 4-0-1 (Councilman Haynes abstained due to absence).
• Consent Agenda (Items 6a–6e): Approved 4-1 (Councilmember Griffith voted no). Items included:
  • Acceptance of Parking & Safety Committee minutes (Aug. 26, 2025).
  • Acceptance of Planning Commission minutes (Dec. 3, 2025).
  • Resolution 26-01 appointing a member to the Delaware General Health District.
  • Resolution 26-02 amending committee assignments for council members.
  • Setting Jan. 26, 2026 at 7:10 PM as the public hearing for Resolution 26-07 (Northwood Sub-Area B development plan, 95.284 acres, R-SF with mixed-use overlay).

Special Employee Recognition

• Auditor of State Award with Distinction: Presented by Scott Brown (Central Ohio liaison for Auditor Keith Faber). Only 4% of the 4,200 annual state audits qualify. Recognized the City of Delaware for a clean audit with no findings. Robert Alger, Director of Finance, was specifically honored for 31 years of public service (over 25 with the city) and his upcoming retirement. A proclamation from Auditor Faber was read.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the designated period.

Discussion Items

Liquor License Requests (Items 9–14):

• Item 9 – Transfer to Rosebud’s: Approved. Transfer of D5 permit from Cocinamos LLC to FHDR LLC for Rosebud’s at 3 W. Winter St. (longtime downtown restaurant). No police objections.
• Item 10 – Transfer to AVI Food Systems: Approved. Transfer of D1 (beer only, on-site until 1 AM) from Ohio Wesleyan University to AVI Food Systems for a student recreation center at 4 Williams Dr. (formerly empty fraternity house). No objections.
• Items 11 & 12 – Transfer & New License for Hallihans / Sandbar Station: Both approved. Transfer of D1/D2/D3 permits from AIC of Ohio LLC (Sandbar Station, 59 Potter St.) to 12 West William LLC for Hallihans (12 W. William St.). A new D5 permit (full bar until 2:30 AM) was also approved for Sandbar Station. Council asked about the later hours; no concerns raised.
• Item 13 – New License for Longhorn Steakhouse: Approved. Preemptive request for D5i (full bar) and D6 (Sunday sales) permits for a location at 32 Coughlin Lane, opening spring 2027. Police found no objections.
• Item 14 – New License for AIC of Ohio (59 Potter St.): Initially tabled due to lack of information, then clarified. Approved unanimously after Chief Moore explained it was a D6 Sunday sales permit for 12 West William Hallihans, currently on hold because no D6 permits are available until a ward vote occurs. Police had no objections.

Annexations (Items 16–17):

• Ordinance 25-75 – Price Farms Annexation (175.79 acres): Third reading. Approved 4-1 (Dr. Bogan dissenting).
• Ordinance 25-76 – Pine Meadows Annexation (109.01 acres): Third reading. Approved 4-1 (Dr. Bogan dissenting).

Zoning Amendments (Items 18–20 – All Took to Third Reading):

• Item 18 – Ordinance 25-77 (Fincon Epic Ventures): Expand MX-PUD 25-2 by 4.468 acres (commercial sub-area D). Applicant noted a $1 million cost to resolve title issues. Public hearing held; no public testimony. Moved to third reading.
• Item 19 – Ordinance 25-78 (GTZ Properties): Rezone 10.3 acres along Sunbury Rd. from C-CC to C-PUD. Planner Sandra Pereira explained PUD benefits: flexibility, limit on drive-through restaurants (max 3), and ability to negotiate design. Public comment: Scott McVicker (1935 Ashburn Dr.) requested an additional emergency exit. Staff noted emergency access via Bowtown Rd. and planned Biltmore Dr. connection. Moved to third reading.
• Item 20 – Ordinance 25-79 (101.5 acres east of Glenn Pkwy & Berlin Station Rd.): Rezone from A-1 to R-PUD. Concept plan shows 29 single-family lots (Sub-area A), 208 single-family (Sub-area B), 110 townhomes (Sub-area C), and ~21 acres of open space (Sub-area D). Railroad buffer and tree preservation noted. Traffic impact study required. Moved to third reading.

Development Plan (Item 21 – Resolution 25-90):

• 7 Brew Drive-Through Coffee Shop at 1424 Sunbury Rd. (Glennwood Commons). 510 sq. ft. building with double drive-through and bypass lane. Coffee/tea/beverages only (no food). Applicant said 42 stores open; traffic concerns from Councilmember Griffith were addressed (site holds 12–15 cars on-site, overflow mitigation planned). Approved unanimously.

Fee Schedule Update (Item 22 – Ordinance 25-80):

• Amended fees for building permits and engineering services. Key changes: plan review fees (some doubling for stormwater), construction inspection from $60/hr +10% admin to $90/hr, new $35 haul permit fee, and reinstated $125 lot inspection fee. Declared an emergency to meet Feb. 1 deadline. Suspended rules, passed emergency clause, and approved ordinance – all unanimous.

Supplemental Appropriation (Item 23 – Ordinance 26-01):

• Authorized use of debt proceeds for Merrick Blvd. embankment work (railroad crossing). City found $200,000 savings by adding work to competitive bid instead of developer-supplied dirt. Emergency clause; approved unanimously.

Union Agreement (Item 24 – Resolution 26-03):

• Accepted negotiated changes to the Public Works, Utilities, and Parks Association agreement (expired Dec. 2025). Changes: Christmas Eve converted from half-day to full holiday (replacing Little Brown Jug half-day), uniform stipend increased from $450 to $500 (taxable), mechanic tool stipend for four employees with clawback provision. Approved unanimously.

Pre-Annexation Service Resolution (Item 25 – Resolution 26-04):

• For the Patel Peachblow Annexation (5 acres). Property surrounded on three sides by city, in Berlin Twp./Olentangy Schools. City can provide services. Approved unanimously.

Pre-Annexation Agreement (Item 26 – Resolution 26-06):

• Authorized city manager to sign pre-annexation agreement with Olentangy Local Schools for 139.66 acres (north of Bunty Station Rd., west of Sawmill Pkwy). Agreement outlines SRO cooperation (one of three new officers in 2026 budget), water/sewer, etc. Formal annexation petition follows. Approved 4-1 (Dr. Bogan dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all votes unanimous unless noted):
  • Consent agenda (4-1), motions summary (4-0-1).
  • All liquor license transfers and new licenses (items 9–13, 14 after clarification).
  • Resolution honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Item 15).
  • Price Farms and Pine Meadows annexations (both 4-1).
  • 7 Brew development plan (resolution).
  • Fee schedule ordinance (emergency).
  • Supplemental appropriation (emergency).
  • Union agreement resolution.
  • Patel Peachblow services resolution.
  • Olentangy pre-annexation resolution (4-1).
• Continued to Third Reading (next meeting Jan. 26, 2026):
  • Ordinance 25-77 (zoning amendment, 4.468 acres).
  • Ordinance 25-78 (zoning amendment, 10.3 acres).
  • Ordinance 25-79 (zoning amendment, 101.5 acres).
• No Action Taken: Item 14 temporarily tabled then approved.
• Council Comments: Gratitude to staff, encouragement for public engagement, and announcement of Jan. 19 MLK Breakfast at Ohio Wesleyan.