Gahanna Planning Commission Meeting: Northwest Bank Development and Variance Approval – September 8, 2025

Note on date discrepancy: The meeting agenda and minutes indicate August 27, 2025, but the instruction requires the date to be September 8, 2025. This summary uses that date as directed.

The Gahanna Planning Commission met on September 8, 2025, to elect a Vice Chair, approve prior minutes, and consider two applications for a Northwest Bank branch at 191 Granville Street: a Development Plan and a Variance. Both applications were approved unanimously (6-0). The meeting also included reports from staff and the Mayor.

Election of Vice Chair

• Michael Suriano was elected Vice Chair by a unanimous vote (6-0) after being nominated by Michael Greenberg and seconded by Thomas Shapaka.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the August 13, 2025 Planning Commission meeting were approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Gardner, site civil engineer for the applicant, spoke in support of the project. He explained that the variances were necessary because the project involves renovating the existing building rather than demolishing and rebuilding, which limits options for glass transparency and parking layout.
• No other public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Development Plan DP-0006-2025 and Variance V-0021-2025 (191 Granville Street, Northwest Bank):
  • City Planner Maddie Capka presented the staff report. The site, zoned CMU (Creekside Mixed-Use), has been vacant for approximately five years and was formerly a PNC bank. The proposed redevelopment includes new exterior materials (stone veneer, metal siding, precast concrete, brick veneer), relocating the drive-thru to the rear of the building, shifting parking farther from the right-of-way, new landscaping, and updated sidewalks.
  • Four variances were requested:
    1. A use variance because drive-throughs are not permitted as accessory uses in CMU zoning.
    2. A variance to allow 32% transparent glass on the primary facade instead of the required 40%.
    3. A variance to allow six parking spaces to extend past the front facade of the building.
    4. A variance to allow a side yard parking setback of 5 feet instead of the required 10 feet.
  • Staff recommended approval of all variances, noting that the drive-thru would be less visible, the window area would increase, and the parking configuration would be much improved over the existing conditions.
  • Commission members posed questions to the applicant and staff:
    • Michael Greenberg asked about safety and lighting for the rear ATMs, noting the trees could provide cover. The applicant confirmed a photometric plan and canopy lighting. Greenberg also asked about the bank's market entry; Steven Bell (Director of Corporate Real Estate, Northwest Bank) stated this is one of three planned Columbus-area locations, with others in Westerville and Polaris Parkway.
    • Thomas Shapaka inquired about the parking layout and whether angled spaces could provide more landscaping. Dave Sabina (landscape architect) explained that 90-degree spaces maximize count and that ADA requirements prevent angling van-accessible spaces.
    • James Mako confirmed that the primary use is a bank and the drive-thru is an accessory use, and that the use is essentially the same as before the zoning code change. He also asked about the interior sidewalk, which is intended for future connectivity to Shull Avenue, and about tree removal (none anticipated). He questioned the expanded right-of-way; the applicant explained it is required by the city's thoroughfare plan.
    • Michael Suriano asked about reusing materials; the exterior brick will be replaced.
    • Chair Sarah Pollyea asked about the drive-thru lane configuration (one lane with two stacked stations and a bypass), the absence of a live teller (remote ITM), and signage for the drive-thru ATM.
  • Commissioners expressed support for the project, praising the improvement to a long-vacant site and the design team's work. Some noted that ideally buildings would be closer to the street, but the redevelopment was a positive step. The motion to approve the Development Plan was made by Mako and seconded by Shapaka. The motion to approve the Variance was made by Mako and seconded by Shapaka.

Key Outcomes

• Development Plan DP-0006-2025 was approved unanimously (6-0).
• Variance V-0021-2025 was approved unanimously (6-0).
• The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

Official Reports

• Director of Planning Michael Blackford noted that the next meeting will include a residential variance and a conditional use application.
• Mayor Laurie Jadwin provided updates:
  • The "Our Gahanna Strategic Plan" final draft was revealed at a kickoff event on August 26, 2025, with an estimated 300–350 attendees. The online survey is open until September 20, 2025, and additional pop-up events will be held at the YMCA, library, and other locations.
  • The "Reimagining Creekside" project, stemming from flood mitigation planning, will have a community conversation on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Creekside Conference and Event Center.
• Council Liaison Sarah Pollyea reported that the Committee of the Whole (August 25) discussed updates to council rules to improve efficiency, particularly regarding resolutions vs. ordinances.

Member Comments

• Members congratulated Chair Pollyea and Vice Chair Suriano on their first meeting in their respective roles.
• Thomas Shapaka requested that future agendas order applications with multiple parts (e.g., variance before development plan) for logical sequence. Deputy Clerk Sophia McGuire agreed to do so.
• Michael Suriano asked that staff presentations be linked to the agenda ahead of time for commissioners' review. McGuire confirmed this can be done.