Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Delaware City Council held a regular meeting on July 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included roll call, invocation, approval of prior meeting minutes, public comments, consent agenda, committee reports, four public hearings (including a Chick-fil-A development, an industrial building, and a townhome project), a fourth reading of a tax abatement ordinance, consideration of an economic development incentive term sheet for a manufacturing relocation, and a resolution to cancel an upcoming meeting. Council voted on several items, with most passing unanimously except the tax abatement ordinance which passed 6-1 after an amendment removing residential eligibility.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the motion summary from the July 13, 2026, regular city council meeting (unanimous).
• Approved the motion summary from the July 20, 2026, special city council meeting (unanimous).
• Accepted the motion summary from the April 16, 2026, Airport Commission meeting (unanimous).
• Accepted the motion summary from the March 17, 2026, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deborah Giebart (265 West Fountain Avenue) spoke about Delco Water's presentation, emphasizing the use of activated charcoal (carbon) in water filtration, noting carbon is not a toxin and is approved by the USDA National Organic Program. She urged the council not to treat carbon as a toxin in decision-making.
• Andrew Mitchell (390 West Williams Street) detailed personal grievances: a warrant and armed entry at his home due to a clerical error on a driving under suspension charge, a four-month water leak unnoticed by the city leading to a $600 bill and water shut-off with no notice, and the city condemning his house. He asked what administrative processes protect county/city funds from overspending, stating no one could answer.
• Scott McVicker (1935 Ashburn Drive) criticized the Nutter Parkway extension (calling it 'Kroger Parkway'), arguing it only connects to Kroger and is not yet public access, and that the city's claim it costs nothing is misleading because tax money reimburses Kroger. He urged improving the city's image through council attendance at First Fridays and avoiding passing legislation as emergencies due to lack of planning.

Discussion Items

• Resolution No. 26-51 (Chick-fil-A Development Plan): A public hearing was held for a 5,000 sq ft Chick-fil-A restaurant on 1.9 acres along Sunbury Road east of Sky View Lane. City planner Sarah Pereira presented details: 71 parking spaces, 92 interior and 20 outdoor seats, a two-lane drive-thru, access from a private drive (right-in/right-out only onto Skyview Lane). The building will be brick, with three signs permitted. A constituent asked about a play place; none planned. Public commenter Scott McVicker raised concerns about fire hazard and traffic, arguing the single entry/exit could be dangerous and that a road extension should be completed first. City staff (Jonathan Owen) explained that an internal road network connecting to Biltmore Drive will be built before or concurrently with the restaurant, providing a second access point; an emergency-only access also exists via Bowtown Road. The resolution passed unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution No. 26-52 (Industrial Building at 378 London Road): A public hearing for a 40,000 sq ft industrial building on 4.62 acres in the Howald Industrial Planned Mixed-Use Overlay. The building will have 14 tenant spaces, 87 parking spaces, no direct access to London Road (entry via the industrial park). Exterior: tilt-up concrete, 32.5 ft tall, with wall signs (50 sq ft per tenant) instead of a ground sign. Planning commission and staff recommended approval. Council praised the cleanup of the previously trash-strewn site. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution No. 26-53 (Terra Alta Section 14 Townhomes): Final section of the 15-section Terra Alta development, on 13.263 acres with 80 fee-simple townhomes in 15 buildings. Private streets with sidewalks connecting to the existing network. The buildings will have 35% brick/stone, dimensional shingles, upgraded garage doors. Tree preservation areas on north and east sides. The applicant, Jim Owen (Romanelli Hughes), thanked the city and noted construction would start mid-August 2026, with all Terra Alta paved by end of 2026. The development has taken 8 years (first house in 2018). Council commended the project. Passed unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance No. 26-29 (Fourth Reading - Tax Abatement for 4 N. Sandusky Street): This ordinance authorizes a Community Reinvestment Area agreement with Stephen P. Hartman, LLC for improvements to a historic downtown property. An amendment (made at council's direction) removed residential uses from eligibility for abatement, limiting it to non-residential business uses. Steve Hartman, the property owner, expressed that while he accepts the amendment, he believes the abatement should apply to all potential uses (including apartments) to ensure future owners have options. Dr. Bogan voted no. The ordinance passed 6-1 (Dr. Bogan dissenting).
• Resolution No. 26-57 (Curtis Street Development Incentive Term Sheet with Guild Strategic Properties): A term sheet for a 65-70 acre industrial park adjacent to Pittsburgh Drive. Phase one includes a 125,000 sq ft headquarters, R&D, advanced manufacturing, and warehouse, with a $48 million investment and 125 employees. The incentive package: 75% 15-year CRA tax abatement, a 30-year non-school TIF (capturing county millage except schools), and 50% income tax sharing on net project income tax (after state sharing) for 15 years. The company also contributes $500,000 to the city for future off-site transportation improvements. City Finance Director Nick Langford detailed the financial projections: current site generates ~$10,000 annual property tax; phase one would generate ~$934,000 in property taxes (with abatement), 125 jobs, $10.6 million payroll. Full build-out (7 lots) could yield 1,000 jobs, $90 million payroll, $1.6 million annual city income tax, and $12.4 million TIF capacity over 30 years. The city would cover up to 60% of infrastructure costs (capped at $2.4 million) from TIF and income tax sharing funds. Councilman Ryder expressed concern about income tax sharing, arguing it was unnecessary given the other incentives. He suggested removing that component, but after discussion with staff (Langford explained it helps offset risk and high construction loan costs) and assurances that the sharing applies only to the guild building, not future tenants, the resolution passed unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution No. 26-58 (Cancel August 10, 2026 Meeting): Declared an emergency due to anticipated absences of several council members. Passed unanimously (7-0) on both the emergency clause and the resolution itself.
• Finance Director's Report: June 2026 monthly report presented. Income tax collections up 6.1% year-over-year. Water, wastewater, stormwater revenues on projection. Refuse revenues slightly down due to grants but user fees up 6%. Director mentioned plans to restructure future reports with departmental KPIs.
• City Manager's Report: None.
• Council Comments: Councilwoman Fraser endorsed Scott McVicker's suggestion of council attending First Fridays for community outreach; she volunteered to coordinate for September. Councilman McLellan commended Director Langford for transparent presentation and Director Hafner for efforts to improve financial reporting.
• Executive Session: Council entered executive session under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1) to consider the appointment or employment of a public official. Session held and meeting adjourned at 8:59 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all four resolutions (26-51, 26-52, 26-53) and the consent calendar items unanimously (7-0).
• Passed Ordinance 26-29 (as amended) on fourth reading with a 6-1 vote (Dr. Bogan opposed). The amendment removes residential property tax abatement eligibility.
• Approved Resolution 26-57 (Curtis Street term sheet) unanimously (7-0) after discussion on income tax sharing; no amendment was made.
• Approved Resolution 26-58 to cancel the August 10, 2026, regular meeting, declared an emergency, unanimously (7-0).
• Council agreed to explore council member attendance at First Fridays starting September 2026.