Gahanna Planning Commission Meeting – February 23, 2026

Note: The agenda and minutes indicate the meeting was held on February 11, 2026, but the instruction specifies the date as 2026-02-23. This summary uses the instructed date.

The Gahanna Planning Commission met to consider four agenda items: a variance for a detached garage, a variance for wall signs at the new Civic Center, a rezoning application for a hotel development, and a stormwater management waiver for Academy Park. All items were discussed and voted on with unanimous support for the variances and the waiver, while the rezoning application was not recommended to City Council.

Public Comments & Testimony

• V-0003-2026 (Garage variance): Erica Cook, applicant, spoke in favor, explaining the existing garage is in disrepair, encroaches into the right-of-way, and has limited placement options due to mature trees and lot constraints. No other public comments were made.
• V-0004-2026 (Sign variance): No public comments were offered. Kevin Schultz, Director of Operations, was available for questions.
• Z-0001-2026 (Rezoning for hotel):
  • Rebecca Mott, applicant (Plank Law Firm), spoke in favor, arguing the project aligns with the mixed-use character of the area, would bring economic benefits (20-30 employees, bed tax, income tax), and would have low traffic impact. She offered a compromise of a limited overlay restricting use to a hotel.
  • Ken Johnson, resident of Woods at Shagbark, expressed concerns about the 160-foot distance between Shagbark Road and the hotel ingress, potential congestion, and the landlocked nature of the condominium property. He proposed selling the private road to the city.
  • Bruce Brown, 1211 Shagbark Road, opposed the rezoning, citing noise, safety, and compatibility concerns with a 24-hour hotel adjacent to a residential neighborhood.
  • Bill Miller, 1198 Sanctuary Place, supported staff recommendation, arguing the 60-foot height would tower over the neighborhood, the site access is problematic due to the median, and a hotel is not suitable for the area.
  • Jane Miller, 1198 Sanctuary Place, argued the hotel does not comply with zoning code purposes, cited police data on theft and vandalism at hotels, and stated there is no demand based on conversations with the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
  • George Mrus, 1217 Sanctuary Place and president of Gahanna CIC, asked for denial due to property value destruction, inconsistency with the 2024 zoning update, and height incompatibility with the Land Use Plan.
• 2026-0025 (Stormwater waiver): No public comments were taken as this was a new business item not open to public comment.

Discussion Items

• V-0003-2026 (Garage variance): Commission discussed the corner lot's two front yards, the existing garage's condition, and the proposed pole structure to minimize tree root disturbance. Members noted the variance criteria were met and the new garage would align better with code. No objections were raised.
• V-0004-2026 (Sign variance): Commission discussed the need for multiple signs for wayfinding at the new Civic Center, noting the total sign area is well below the maximum. Color contrast was clarified. Staff had no objection. Members expressed support for the visibility benefits.
• Z-0001-2026 (Rezoning for hotel): Extensive discussion ensued. Members questioned the alignment with the Land Use Plan, which recommends mixed-use but does not list hotels; the recent 2024 rezoning to Neighborhood Commercial; and the compatibility of General Commercial with adjacent residential areas. Some members noted a hotel might be appropriate but not via rezoning, as the zoning would allow more intense uses. The applicant offered a limited overlay, but the commission found the proposal insufficient. The motion to recommend to City Council failed 0-7, and a request to table was denied by the Chair.
• 2026-0025 (Stormwater waiver): Commission discussed the detention pond, floodplain proximity, and hydraulic analysis. The engineering team confirmed state standards would be met and no harmful increase in runoff. Members accepted this as appropriate given the site's constraints.

Key Outcomes

• V-0003-2026: Motion to approve the variance carried 7-0.
• V-0004-2026: Motion to approve the variance carried 7-0.
• Z-0001-2026: Motion to recommend the rezoning to City Council failed 0-7. The application does not proceed to Council.
• 2026-0025: Motion to recommend the stormwater management waiver to City Council carried 7-0.

Official Reports

• Director of Planning: thanked the commission for their work and noted upcoming applications, including for Academy Park and code changes.
• Council Liaison: provided updates on the Creekside Chocolate Walk, Black History Month recognition, and Jazz and Blues Festival.
• Mayor: updated that the new Civic Center at 825 Tech Center Drive is 60-75 days from move-in, with a phased move over four weeks and a ribbon cutting anticipated in late April.