Gahanna Planning Commission Meeting - September 10, 2025
Gahanna Planning Commission Meeting - September 10, 2025
The Gahanna Planning Commission met on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM at City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included the appointment of a new commissioner, approval of previous minutes, and two applications: a variance for a residential addition and a conditional use for a concrete contractor. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the August 27, 2025 meeting (motion by Tamarkin, second by Greenberg, vote 7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Variance Application (V-0022-2025): Shannon Overmeyer, representing the applicant as the design firm, spoke in support of the addition, stating the presentation covered all necessary details.
- Conditional Use Application (CU-0001-2025): No public comments were offered.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of Elizabeth Laser: Mayor administered the oath of office to Elizabeth Laser, who filled the vacancy left by Mr. Hicks. Laser is a local entrepreneur and West Side resident.
- Variance V-0022-2025 (747 Jonsol Court): The applicant requested a variance from the 15-foot side yard setback to allow an 11-foot-9-inch setback for a 171-square-foot addition. Staff recommended approval, noting the addition matches the existing house setback, the property was previously zoned with a 10-foot setback, and similar variances have been approved. Commission members expressed support, citing consistency with the neighborhood and minimal impact. The variance was approved unanimously (7-0).
- Conditional Use CU-0001-2025 (Trujillo Quality Concrete, 254 W. Johnstown Road): The applicant sought a conditional use permit to operate a residential concrete contracting business from an existing office building on a General Commercial lot. No exterior modifications are proposed, but a future garage is planned. Staff recommended approval with a condition prohibiting outdoor storage. Discussion covered parking of vehicles and equipment, the need for paved surfaces, and prior code violations at the property. Commissioner Suriano moved to amend the motion to explicitly prohibit any future outdoor storage of materials; the amendment passed 7-0. The amended motion to approve the conditional use then passed unanimously (7-0).
- Official Reports:
- Director of Planning Blackford announced the next meeting on September 24 with a new construction project on Granville Street. He also updated on the "Argahanna" strategic plan community engagement events and the "Creekside Reimagined" initiative.
- Council Liaison reported on a proposed transfer of funds to pay off CIC loans for Mill Street properties to enable demolition by year-end, and noted the upcoming budget cycle.
- Clerk announced a table at the MORPCA Sustainability Summit on September 30 with open seats for commissioners.
Key Outcomes
- Appointment: Elizabeth Laser sworn in as new Planning Commissioner.
- Minutes approved: Unanimous.
- Variance V-0022-2025: Approved (7-0).
- Conditional Use CU-0001-2025: Approved as amended with condition prohibiting outdoor storage (7-0).
- Next Meeting: September 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I am now gonna call this meeting to order. This is Planning Commission. It is Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 7 p.m. And I'm gonna move the additions and corrections to the agenda forward. Um, and we're gonna do so to swear in a new planning commission member. So I will now turn the meeting over to Mayor Jablin. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I will not uh just take a minute here so that you guys can get to the work that you have. Uh as we know, uh Mr. Hicks uh actually had to leave Gehana. He moved out of Gehana because we didn't have the housing for him and downsizing. We're working on that. Uh but because he had to relocate outside of Gehanna or uh downsized outside of Gehana, he no longer was able to serve on planning commission and had submitted his resignation. So that left a position to be filled. Uh and this evening, I'm very happy to appoint Elizabeth Laser uh as the newest member of planning commission. Uh Elizabeth can speak a little bit to her own background, uh, but she is uh an entrepreneur herself, she's a resident of Gehana's West Side, uh, so experienced businesswoman, very active in the schools as well, uh, but had a real interest in uh bringing her business expertise or business acumen to the commission uh as well as her interest in just simply serving our Gehana community. So uh Elizabeth, if you'd like to join me down here, we will administer the oath of office, and then you guys can get to work here. You would just face me, raise your right hand and repeat after me, please. I state your name. Aye, Elizabeth Laser. Do solemnly swear. You solemnly swear that I will support and defend. I will support and defend the constitution and laws, the constitution and laws of the United States of America. Of the United States of America, the constitution and statutes. Constitution and statutes of the state of Ohio. And the charter and ordinances of the city of Gehana. Of the city of Gehana. And that I will faithfully honestly and impartially discharge the duties the duties as a planning commission member. As a planning commission member for the city of Gehana. For the city of Gehana. To which I have been appointed. To which I have been appointed. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations and thank you for your service. Thank you. All right. Matter of formality, you will sign these. Ordinarily, I would stay uh and participate in tonight's meeting, but I know you're all in good hands. I have another engagement downtown, so I'm gonna head out. Mr. Blackford has some comments to offer on my behalf for later on. Uh but thank you very much, members of the commission, and I know she's in good hands with all of you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Jadwin, and congratulations. We are happy to have you on Planning Commission. Um, so now if everyone could please stand, and Mr. Tamarkin is gonna lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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