Powell Development Committee Joint Session with Operations Committee: Bennett Farm Master Plan

The Powell Development Committee met jointly with the Powell Operations Committee on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers, 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio. The sole business item was the presentation and discussion of the Bennett Farm Master Plan by Andrew Wolverbeck of MKSK. The meeting was called to order with roll call; development committee members Carlos Crawford and Tyler Herman were present, joined by operations committee members, the mayor, vice mayor, and a former committee member.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the minutes from the December 2, 2025 Development Committee meeting after all members confirmed they had reviewed them.

Discussion Items

• Bennett Farm Master Plan Presentation: Andrew Wolverbeck (MKSK) presented the draft master plan for the 32-acre Bennett Farm property, which the city previously purchased. A dedicated master planning effort was undertaken to address building form, future uses, and community benefit, with the goal of "getting it right" for the community. MKSK was available to answer questions alongside city planning staff.
• Public Engagement: MKSK held two public workshops (April and fall), with the room full on multiple occasions. Community feedback strongly favored preserving the barn and addressing a lack of indoor programming space identified in the city's parks system master plan.
• Barn Preservation: The barn's structure is sound and reusable, though the exterior and roof need repairs. MKSK highlighted adaptive-reuse examples in Central Ohio, including an Upper Arlington barn converted into flexible event and classroom space. The community's top priority was saving the barn.
• Trails and Bridges: The plan proposes connecting to the existing Arbor Ridge access point and extending the multi-use path along Powell Road. The trail target width is 10–11 feet per the path master plan, reflecting expected heavy use. Approximately 2.5 miles of trails are planned, requiring two bridge crossings over Bartholomew Run. The path must also cross two additional parcels to reach Bartholomew; staff have met with one property owner and will walk the route next week to site the path and determine whether trail easements are needed.
• Proposed Amenities: The concept includes a flexible lawn, play hill, dog park, adventurous play areas, and year-round site amenities. MKSK emphasized programming the space for everyday use, not just events. The barn could include a non-full-service kitchen suitable for events.
• Phasing and Implementation: Phase one focuses on site access, trails, and infrastructure to create a foundation for future amenities. Cost estimates were presented by category, with bridges noted as a significant cost driver for areas south of the stream. The design process is estimated at 12–18 months before bid; next steps are schematic design and design development to refine cost estimates for capital budgeting and grant applications.
• Operational Considerations: Committee members raised questions about annual upkeep costs (not yet estimated; MKSK offered to research comparable facilities), additional insurance coverage for new amenities, and whether the parks department has staff capacity. A committee member expressed full support for dog parks and adventurous play areas while noting insurance and operational risks. Staff confirmed internal discussions are underway for permanent fencing at the site within existing authorization based on community feedback.
• Traffic and Site Conditions: One committee member asked whether traffic pattern changes around Bennett Parkway had been analyzed; this had not yet been discussed. Members also discussed site conditions, noting the creek can run dry seasonally but that "kids will go creeking in there all the time." A committee member highlighted the rarity of 32 acres of parkland located less than a mile from downtown Powell.
• Funding and Approvals: A committee member noted that if the project moves forward, council appropriation would be needed this year. MKSK explained that reaching design development would allow more detailed cost estimates and grant investigations, and that having a plan in place is necessary to pursue grant funding.

Key Outcomes

• The Bennett Farm Master Plan was received by the joint committees; no formal vote was taken.
• The committee discussion supported continued work toward schematic design and design development to produce more detailed cost estimates and inform grant-seeking.
• Staff will walk the trail corridor, including the two off-map parcels, next week with the involved property owner to finalize the route and identify any needed trail easements.
• No formal directive was issued regarding the barn, amenities, or funding, but the phased implementation approach was presented as the recommended path forward.
• The meeting was adjourned by motion following the close of discussion; no date was set for the next joint discussion, though a future site visit to the wetlands was mentioned.