Gahanna Planning Commission Meeting – August 20, 2025

The Gahanna Planning Commission met on August 20, 2025 at 20:15 UTC. The agenda, minutes, and transcript in the source materials are dated Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.; that date discrepancy is noted. Chair John Hicks called the meeting to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sarah Pollyea, and roll was taken. Six members were present (Hicks, Mako, Pollyea, Tamarkin, Shapaka, Greenberg); Michael Suriano was absent. The agenda was corrected by removing item CU-0001-2025 (Trujillo Quality Concrete, 254 W. Johnstown Road) due to a scheduling conflict. There was no unfinished business and no new business. The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the June 25, 2025 Planning Commission meeting (2025-0153) were approved by motion of Pollyea, seconded by Greenberg. The minutes record the vote as 6 yes with Suriano absent; the transcript roll call shows Hicks abstaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 400 Braemer Court: Property owner John Esterby acknowledged the prior split decision and said all parties thought a 16.5-foot height could be administratively approved; he admitted negligence was no excuse, said he did not receive notice, and cited sun exposure and deck enjoyment as the reason for the taller structure. Adjacent neighbor Eric Jones supported the application, stating a large maple tree and other trees screen the pool house, that he had heard no neighbor concerns, and that the structure looked great.
• 909 Taylor Station Road: Chris Jolley of Darin Ranker Architects described HT Hackney's acquisition and the need for 25,000 square feet of addition space. Correspondence from Sherry Kramer/Rosen was summarized: Rosen had no objection to the variance, but requested lighting on the west side for security and raised concerns about semi-truck parking along Technology Drive.

Discussion Items

V-0019-2025 – Variance, 400 Braemer Court

• City Planner Maddie Capka presented staff's recommendation of disapproval. The pool house is 542 square feet and 16.5 feet tall, exceeding the 15-foot accessory structure height limit by 1.5 feet. It is 9.9 to 12 feet from the northern property line and about 23 feet from the rear property line. Staff found no special circumstances, no other accessory structures in the area exceeding 15 feet, insufficient screening from the 4-foot fence, and repeated unsuccessful attempts to contact the applicant.
• Staff recounted the project history: a November 2024 variance application for a 17-foot pool house; staff mistakenly said a reduction to 16.5 feet would be administratively approvable through a de minimis variance; that deviation cannot apply to building height. Plans were revised to 16.5 feet, but the maximum is 15 feet. The building permit remains open and unapproved with no inspections, and code enforcement issued a violation because the pool house was built without an approved permit.
• Contractor Corey Schoo said installation ran from November 8, 2024 to December 2, 2024. He said he was not initially aware of the height restriction, believed 16.5 feet was acceptable based on the prior meeting, and did not receive follow-up communications. Director Blackford explained that state plan approval and local permits are separate and that staff had made multiple outreach attempts.
• Commissioner discussion was split. Tamarkin and Shapaka supported approval; Mako, Pollyea, and Hicks opposed. Pollyea said the sun exposure did not meet the legal necessity test and the contractor should have been more proactive; Mako said the variance criteria were not met; Hicks said he was reviewing with fresh eyes and did not support it.
• Outcome: A motion by Greenberg, seconded by Shapaka, to approve the variance failed 2–4. Yes: Tamarkin and Shapaka. No: Hicks, Mako, Pollyea, and Greenberg. Absent: Suriano.

V-0020-2025 – Variance, 909 Taylor Station Road

• Staff presented a variance request under Section 1103.15(e) for a 25,000-square-foot building addition connecting two warehouses on recently combined parcels at 875 and 909 Taylor Station Road. The addition would be 9 feet from the rear property line, while the required rear setback is 20 feet; side setbacks are met. The stated reason is a gas main running through the middle of the site. Staff had no objection, noted an existing 7-foot-tall fence on the Rosen property, and reported Rosen's support.
• Applicant Chris Jolley said HT Hackney needs 20,000 square feet of cooler/freezer space plus space for forklift access and loading docks, totaling 25,000 square feet. He had consulted the Fire Marshal and Chief Building Officer, and three-hour fire barriers are planned.
• Commissioner discussion addressed neighbor concerns, building heights, screening, the gas line, fire access, loading docks, trailer parking, and the former property line. The applicant said lighting could be added in the loading area but likely not near a property line; Director Blackford said lighting would be evaluated at a later stage.
• Outcome: A motion by Tamarkin, seconded by Greenberg, to approve the variance carried 6–0, with Suriano absent. A development plan will be required prior to construction.

Official Reports

• Director of Planning Blackford provided a department update: 10 staff members in three divisions (Building, Code Enforcement, Zoning) with more than 115 years of combined Gahanna-specific experience. Building division highlights included the new OpenGov permitting software, increased transparency, and fast in-house inspections. Code enforcement handled 1,296 cases in 2024, averaging about 3.5 inspections per case, and 951 cases as of August 11, 2025; warrants are now available for repeat offenders. Planning and zoning priorities include a possible land use plan refresh as early as 2026, floodplain administration, and the move to 825 Tech Center Drive. Project updates covered Crescent at Central Park, 825 Tech Center Drive, Gahanna Commerce Center, Morse Road Apartments, and Johnstown Road Apartments.
• Council Liaison Pollyea reported that the Strategic Plan is entering its next phase with a celebration at Creekside on August 26, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Creekside redevelopment presentation included flood improvements for the parking garage, an amphitheater, a splash pad, an anticipated cost of approximately $23 million, and an 18-to-24-month timeline. She also reported that a tax abatement discussed by Council failed by a 4–3 vote on August 4, 2025.
• Mayor Jadwin expanded on Creekside flood mitigation work, including lifting pavers and waterproofing, and said Creekside is one of about nine major capital improvement projects. She encouraged attendance at the August 26 ice cream social and praised the 825 Tech Center building, especially the future Senior Center space.
• Chair Hicks shared a health update and announced his resignation from the Planning Commission because his family is moving out of Gahanna. He said he had served since 2017 and that this was likely his last meeting. Commission members expressed gratitude and disappointment.

Key Outcomes

• CU-0001-2025 was removed from the agenda and postponed due to a scheduling conflict.
• The June 25, 2025 minutes were approved, with a noted discrepancy between the minutes vote and the transcript roll call.
• V-0019-2025 was denied on a 2–4 vote.
• V-0020-2025 was approved on a 6–0 vote, with a future development plan required.
• Chair Hicks announced his resignation; no formal commission vote was taken on the resignation.
• Upcoming Creekside community engagement includes the August 26, 2025 event, and a capital improvement planning process will continue.