Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - May 11, 2026

The Delaware City Council held a regular meeting on May 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings on zoning changes, property maintenance code updates, and a major economic development agreement, along with consideration of numerous resolutions for grant applications, annexation services, and property acquisitions. Public comments focused on a proposed 23-week street closure for the downtown farmers market, with business owners expressing both support and opposition.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the April 27, 2026 City Council meeting.
• Acceptance of motion summaries from the Sister City Advisory Board (January 13, 2026) and the Planning Commission (April 8, 2026).
• Resolution No. 26-36 approving a traffic control signal at Glenn Road and Sunbury Road.
• Establishing June 8, 2026 as the date for a public hearing on Resolution No. 26-29 (GTZ Properties development plan) and for the second reading of Ordinance No. 26-26 (Maintenance of Lands adjacent to Streets).
• Item C (Resolution No. 26-35) was pulled from the consent agenda and moved to a separate item for full discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ganty Kochi (1822 Sandusky Street) spoke in favor of moving the farmers market to South Sandusky Street, citing more space and waterfront properties, and criticized fellow business owners for being short-sighted.
• Rob Pearson (owner of Hamburger Inn) expressed concern about the proposed 23-consecutive-Saturday street closure, stating it would harm his breakfast business, inconvenience elderly customers, and disrupt deliveries. He suggested a limited pilot program of three Saturdays with data collection before a full commitment.
• Chris Deval (owner of properties at 5 and 7 North Sandusky Street) concurred with the previous speaker, highlighting that the closure would cover his entire business day and compound existing parking issues caused by protesters and construction. He opposed the sudden introduction of the 23-week plan.
• Dylan Richards (owner of Barley Hopsters, 1 North Sandusky Street) supported the street closure, noting that foot traffic is the primary driver of his sales and that street closures increase foot traffic. He argued that the farmers market benefits downtown businesses overall.
• Todd Dawkins (owner of Fresh Start Cafe and Bakery, 24 North Sandusky Street) also supported the street closure, emphasizing that the market has outgrown its current sidewalk format, creating safety concerns. He cited experiences from other larger markets and stated that increased foot traffic from a street closure would benefit all downtown businesses.

Public Hearings and Discussion Items

Ordinance No. 26-19 – Coglands Crossing Rezoning (Second Reading)

Sandra Pereira, Planning Director, presented a request by Delaware Development Plan LTD to rezone 37.4 acres from C-CC PMU (Community Commercial with Planned Mixed-Use Overlay) to MX-PUD (Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development). The change would allow multifamily residential (up to 25 units/acre) and up to four-story buildings in sub-area A, while also preserving a historic barn and house (to be conveyed to the Delaware County Historical Society). Other sub-areas remain commercial/office.

Public comments:

• Roger Plummer (2505 Stratford Road) objected to the four-story building height, stating it does not fit the area and requesting a three-story limit.
• Scott McVicker (1935 Ashburn Drive) opposed adding more apartments, arguing it would eliminate commercial tax revenue and that the city needs more jobs, not apartments.
• Karen Cowan (President, Delaware County Historical Society) thanked the developer for the potential donation but stated the society cannot provide an ironclad guarantee of preservation.

Council discussion: Concerns were raised about high multifamily vacancy rates in Delaware County (13.1% vs. 8.5% national) and whether changing land use from commercial to residential is wise. Council members questioned the developer about the difficulty of attracting commercial tenants and the possibility of townhomes or condos. The applicant, Connie Klima, stated the site has been vacant for over a decade and that the change is needed to spur development. No TIFs currently exist. The ordinance was not voted on; it will proceed to a third reading.

Ordinance No. 26-20 – Fed One Dublin Rezoning (Second Reading)

Sandra Pereira presented a request to rezone 62.95 acres from A-1 (Agricultural) and I-2 (General Industrial) to I-PUD (Industrial Planned Unit Development) west of Curtis Street. The concept plan shows access from Curtis Street, with six lots for an industrial business campus. Manufacturing from raw materials is a conditional use per Planning Commission recommendation.

Public comments:

• Scott McVicker voiced strong support, stating the city needs good jobs and an increased tax base.

Council discussion: Members noted the site is in an industrial corridor and appropriate for the use. A motion to suspend the rules requiring three readings failed (5 yes, 1 no – Dr. Bogan voted no, and the mayor’s yes vote did not carry the motion; the transcript indicates the motion did not pass because five votes were needed). The ordinance will return for a third reading on June 8, 2026.

Ordinance No. 26-23 – Property Maintenance Code Update (Second Reading)

Sandra Pereira detailed updates to Chapter 1303 (International Property Maintenance Code) and a new Chapter 1311 (Exterior Property Maintenance Code). Key changes include: allowing posting of violation notices on non-vacant properties instead of certified mail, a two-step warning process prioritizing compliance over prosecution, exceptions for pollinator gardens with a registry, and regulation of beehives adopting state requirements. The code is adopted by reference; the new chapter makes specific provisions accessible.

Public comments: None.

Council discussion: Members praised the education-first approach. Councilman Ryder asked about escalation of fines and timeline for compliance; City Attorney Mosier explained that low-level misdemeanors are a last resort and the process is case-by-case. A suggestion to include information in the water bill newsletter was accepted. The motion to suspend rules passed (5 yes, 1 no – Ryder voted no). The ordinance was then approved (5 yes, 1 no – Ryder voted no), effective in 30 days.

Ordinance No. 26-24 – PPG Industries Community Reinvestment Area Agreement (Second Reading)

Nick Langford, Economic Development Director, presented a CRA abatement proposal for PPG Industries’ Project Saturn – a $280 million expansion (120,000 sq. ft.) at their Pittsburgh Drive facility. The 100%, 15-year abatement includes school compensation agreements. The project will create 100 new full-time jobs and retain 450 existing jobs, with operations expected in 2028. Tom Morden, PPG Engineering and Maintenance Manager, confirmed the site was chosen among several options.

Council discussion: Council member McClellan abstained due to prior involvement at the state level. Members expressed strong support. The emergency clause was passed (5 yes, 1 abstain), and the ordinance was approved (5 yes, 1 abstain).

Resolution No. 26-28 – Price Farms II Annexation Services

Sandra Pereira presented a resolution of services for 170 acres south of Hills Miller Road (Troy Township, Buckeye Valley School District). The city will provide services except sanitary sewer, which requires significant downstream upgrades before development can occur. A pre-annexation agreement was approved at the prior meeting. The emergency clause was required to meet the 20-day statutory deadline.

Council discussion: Members noted that the sewer limitation was a reason for not approving the full annexation previously. The emergency clause and resolution were approved unanimously (6 yes, absent Vice Mayor Fraser).

Resolutions No. 26-31, 26-32, 26-33 – Grant Application Authorizations for Transportation Projects

City Engineer Dr. Owens presented three resolutions authorizing grant applications:

• 26-31: Glenn Parkway Extension (railroad crossing elimination grant, federal).
• 26-32: SR 37 Corridor/US 42 intersection improvements (including East Central Avenue).
• 26-33: US 42 corridor improvements (from Owen Fraser Road to London Road). All included emergency clauses to meet grant deadlines. Council discussed the history of the one-way street proposal for Central Avenue and William Street. Resolutions 26-31 and 26-33 were approved unanimously. Resolution 26-32’s emergency clause passed (5 yes, 1 no – Bogan voted no), and the resolution itself passed (6 yes).

Resolution No. 26-34 – Glenn Road and Mill Run Crossing Roundabout Property Acquisition

Dr. Owens presented a resolution authorizing acquisition of temporary construction easements and one permanent right-of-way for a roundabout at Glenn Road and Mill Run Crossing. The total cost is estimated at $17,282 (with a $25,000 cap). The project is part of the Kroger development; construction is expected to begin in June 2026 to be complete before the store opening.

Council discussion: Concerns were raised about ongoing construction on the east side. Dr. Owens noted that average daily traffic on Glenn Road is about 3,600 vehicles. The emergency clause and resolution were approved unanimously.

Resolution No. 26-35 – Development Agreement with Addison Sawmill, LLC (Pulled from Consent)

Jonathan Langford, Assistant City Manager, explained the agreement covers three items: acknowledgment of existing development plan approvals for the Sawmill Farms and Sawmill Towns project, traffic impact mitigation payments ($627,000+ for future US 42/Sawmill Parkway improvements), and utility oversizing reimbursement ($56,500 for upsizing a water line from 8-inch to 12-inch to serve future development). The reimbursement is required by city code when the city requests larger pipes.

Council discussion: A clarification was offered that the $56,500 is not a “kickback” but a partial reimbursement for the developer installing a larger water main than required. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 26-23 (Property Maintenance Code) was approved and will take effect in 30 days.
• Ordinance 26-24 (PPG Industries CRA agreement) was approved with school compensation agreements; construction to begin immediately.
• Ordinance 26-19 (Coglands Crossing rezoning) will proceed to a third reading on June 8, 2026.
• Ordinance 26-20 (Fed One Dublin rezoning) will proceed to a third reading on June 8 after a motion to suspend rules failed (5-1).
• Resolution 26-28 (Price Farms II annexation services) was approved with an emergency clause.
• Resolutions 26-31, 26-32, 26-33, and 26-34 were all approved with emergency clauses, authorizing grant applications and property acquisition.
• Resolution 26-35 (Development Agreement with Addison Sawmill) was approved.
• Ordinance 26-25 (Bond agent change) held for another reading.
• Ordinance 26-26 (Grass/weeds replacement) scheduled for public hearing on June 8.