Gahanna · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Gahanna public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sign variance for Johnstown Road Apartments
The Johnstown Road Apartments need a break from the city's permanent sign standards to put up signage at 151 West Johnstown Road. Neighbors may weigh in on what the signage would look like.
Action Sports Park restored to Capital Improvement Plan
Five residents, including a teen with a 254-signature petition, asked council to restore the skate park/action sports park to the 2027-2031 CIP. Council postponed the CIP vote to November 2 and will send the item back to committee to figure out how to add the project back responsibly.
Flock Safety camera surveillance
A young resident returned to press council on the Flock surveillance cameras installed in 2024, saying he's seen no votes or public action and only one council member has responded to him. He raised concerns about mass surveillance, taxes, and corporate tax abatements.
Mayor's veto of salary ordinance
Council raised future pay for the mayor ($130,000, 2028), city attorney ($110,000, 2028) and council ($12,750/year, 2030). Backers say it keeps compensation in line with peer cities and opens office to more people; critics, including the mayor herself, said the timing is wrong with budget projections pending and deferred Issue 12 projects unfinished.
Annexation of 0.4 acres at 4710 Johnstown Road
Franklin County approved moving a small 0.4-acre parcel on Johnstown Road from Jefferson Township into Gahanna city limits.
2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan
The city's five-year infrastructure and parks spending plan is one week from final adoption, now with the action sports park back in as an "identified" project after it was dropped.
Senior center nominal-stakes card games ban
Seniors lost their beloved low-stakes card games (euchre, Texas Hold'em) when the senior center moved to the new Civic Center and the city enforced a zero-cash policy. Multiple members testified the ban is hurting attendance, fellowship, and senior wellness, and asked council to refer their proposal to committee. Council agreed to a public update on the legal analysis at the November 23 Committee of the Whole.
Columbia Gas North Columbus High Pressure pipeline project
Columbia Gas will replace about 4.33 miles of pipeline in Gahanna during 2027, hitting Agler, James, Price, Morrison, North Hamilton, Taylor and Taylor Station roads. Expect about 60 days of significant traffic impacts on Taylor Road starting in January, though Taylor Station Road won't close.
Fraudulent emails and phone scams impersonating the city
The mayor warned about scam emails impersonating city staff demanding fake permit payments; Councilmember McGregor described an AEP disconnection scam call targeting the Historical Society. Verify any unexpected invoice or urgent call before paying.
Academy Park stormwater detention waiver
The city is rebuilding Academy Park with ADA playgrounds, a concession building, and trails, and asked to skip its own stricter stormwater rule in favor of state standards, since the site drains directly to Big Walnut Creek. The commission agreed and sent the waiver to council.
Last undeveloped parcel on Deffenbaugh Court
A speculative 37,000-square-foot multi-tenant flex building will fill the last empty lot on Deffenbaugh Court, aimed at small suppliers, contractors, and service firms needing 8,000–10,000 square feet.
Creekside flood mitigation and plaza improvements
The city has picked a preferred construction-manager-at-risk firm and will bring a contract to council in September, with pre-construction estimated around $80,000. Flood map revisions by FEMA could reshape the project's scope.
Hamilton Road streetlight outages
Streetlights near the old city hall and high school remain dark because replacement parts are delayed; some neighborhood repairs also require AEP. Staff will get a repair timeline.
Eastgate Flex tax incentive and school-funding tension
Council approved a CRA tax abatement deal for a flex office/industrial project on a hard-to-develop parcel. Supporters say it's the only viable use for the site; critics worry abatements shift school funding onto residents.
Ten charter amendments on the November ballot
The Charter Review Commission finished its review and recommends ten charter changes, from skipping an unnecessary mayoral primary (which cost $300,000+ in 2023) to consolidating zoning appeals under the Planning Commission and moving reviews to every ten years. Council plans to vote July 20 and send them to voters in November.
Codifying ceremonial resolutions and recognitions policy
Council can't agree on how to handle proclamations, resolutions, and certificates of recognition — whether they need votes, who can issue them, and how to avoid a repeat of a recent public backlash. The first draft memo died; a rewrite starts with documenting current practices.
Academy Park inclusive playground renovation
The city's biggest park project to date — new playground, shelter, trails, and parking — needs professional construction management. Bidding expected by year-end.
Stygler Road, Agler Road, US-62 improvements funding
The city is applying for federal construction money through MORPC for the Stygler/Agler/US-62 project, stacking funding sources since grants require quick turnarounds.
Facility transition to new municipal buildings
Electrical commissioning issues pushed the 825 Tech Center Drive building's commissioning to around April 17. Occupancy is expected in 30-45 days, but council meetings stay at 200 S. Hamilton for now.
Civic Center construction wind-down and capital spending
Civic Center construction is winding down as bond proceeds get spent, with $9.3 million in capital projects completed in the quarter and $22 million encumbered. New facility maintenance staff were hired to run the building.
New residential waste collection contract (Rumpke, 2027-2031)
Trash pickup switches to Rumpke in January 2027 at roughly $3.68 more per household per month, still about 20% below peer communities. Pickup days and containers stay the same, but concerns linger about loose recycling litter and whether the low bid reflects sustainable competition.
New Gahanna Civic Center signage
The new city hall building needs five wall signs so residents can find the police, senior center, and event center entrances — the code allows one. The commission said yes unanimously.
Major capital projects and the funding gap
Gahanna's big-ticket projects — Creekside Garage and Plaza, Westside relief sewer, Stygler/Agler/US 62, Big Walnut Trail, and a future aquatics facility — add up to $85–106 million against finite city resources. Staff has applied for $30–40 million in outside grants and submitted 17 applications across eight project areas.
2025 Year-End Financial Results
Gahanna's general fund grew to about $48 million — nine months of operating expenses in reserve. Income taxes rebounded after a slow start, but staff flagged inflation, tariffs, energy costs, and possible state property tax reform as headwinds that could slow growth.
Gahanna Swimming Pool site assessment
Three firms responded to the RFP for the Southwest aquatic site; staff are evaluating and will pick who to move forward with.
Taylor Road Water Main Replacement cost increase
The city hired Shelly & Sands to replace the Taylor Road water main. Councilmember Bowers warned it will likely disrupt traffic and residents in the southern part of town.
West Side utility relief sewer and West Johnstown Road improvements
A relief sewer now about 30% designed will address water-in-basement problems from Coronation down through the College Park neighborhood, bundled with West Johnstown Road road improvements. The city will keep applying for federal BUILD grant money after missing this cycle.
City Hall Relocation to 825 Tech Center Drive
City services end at 200 S. Hamilton Road on August 7; the new Civic Center opens to the public August 13, with police field services staying at Rocky Fork Boulevard until August 17.
Proposed micro-hospital near Hamilton and Beecher Roads
Walty Development and NewTex Health floated a 23,000-square-foot, 24-hour micro-hospital on 2.5 acres near Hamilton Road. Commissioners liked the low-traffic concept and preferred the layout with more buffer toward homes, but urged the developer to engage residents before formal applications. Nothing has been filed yet.
Carpenter Road lot split and neighborhood density
A property owner wanted to split 2.21 acres into two lots and build a second house, sharing one driveway with zero street frontage. Neighbors pushed back hard on drainage, privacy, and density, and the commission agreed the hardship standard wasn't met. The denial preserves the street's one-acre-plus, rural character — but the owner could revise and try again.
Zoning code update and Big Walnut Creek protections
Gahanna is updating and clarifying its zoning code, reinstating standards that were dropped and implementing recommendations from adopted plans. The public hearing drew no comments, and a vote is tentatively set for May 18.
Affordability and step-down housing
Bowers and Weaver flagged that residents can't afford to stay — aging residents have nowhere smaller to move within Gahanna, and infrastructure costs are being passed to households. Affordability isn't a named priority in the plan.
2025 Sidewalk Maintenance Special Assessments
Property owners with 2025 sidewalk repairs will see assessments — payable in full within 30 days of the July 20 hearing or spread over five years with no interest unless paid late. Affected owners were notified June 29.
2026 Sidewalk and Street Maintenance Contracts
Contracts with Decker Construction for the sidewalk lookback program and street/sidewalk maintenance are moving through Council — meaning repairs coming to neighborhood sidewalks and streets this year.
Zoning code amendments and Creekside district evaluation
The downtown Creekside redevelopment is moving forward — the developer is still in its due diligence period.
Youth bicycle helmet requirement
Gahanna is moving toward requiring helmets for kids on bikes, scooters, and e-bikes. The key debate: making sure a missing helmet can't be used against a child or parent in a civil lawsuit after a crash — and whether a religious exemption is needed (the city attorney says no).
75% tax abatement for Deffenbaugh Flex building
A 75% ten-year property tax abatement would unlock a $4.9 million, 35,000-square-foot flex industrial building on a vacant 3.9-acre site, promising 18 jobs at $55,000 average pay. Councilmembers pressed for council review whenever the building is sold, arguing transparency shouldn't be handled administratively.
Missing sidewalks and trail connections
Council President Weaver noted kids on Clark State Road walk along drainage ditches because there are no sidewalks, and Councilmember Schnetzer flagged similar problems on Johnstown Road. The Strategic Plan could help prioritize these sidewalk and trail gaps.
First accessory dwelling unit in Gahanna
The commission approved the city's first ADU since the 2024 zoning rewrite, a backyard cottage for multigenerational family living. Commissioners debated whether small lots should get setback relief and whether ADUs could set a precedent, but unanimously supported the project.
Friendship Park playground improvements
The city is replacing the Friendship Park playground with a larger, fully fenced, inclusive design costing just over $860,000. Council authorization is expected July 6; construction could start this fall or slip to spring 2027 due to weather and equipment lead times. The park — a busy one — would close for roughly 12 weeks.
Trail safety and e-bike rules regionally
Councilwoman Bowers acknowledged ongoing resident interest in e-bike and e-scooter rules and said council is weighing both legislative and operational responses, crediting police and staff for community education.
2026 Street and Sidewalk Maintenance
Two ordinances would hire Decker Construction for the year's sidewalk lookback program and street/sidewalk maintenance — the work that fixes the cracked sidewalks and worn streets residents flag.
Gun violence prevention and e-bike safety
Councilwoman Bowers marked National Gun Violence Prevention Month, urged state-level emergency protection order laws, and highlighted local police, school, and Mifflin Township collaboration on safe storage and youth access.
Charter review cycle: five years to ten
The commission is moving toward a ten-year charter review cycle instead of five, with formal drafting underway.
Draft Charter Amendment Proposals
The commission is working through proposed amendments to the city charter, the document that sets up how Gahanna's government runs. Changes here could affect everything from council powers to election procedures — and could eventually go before voters.
Ward boundary equalization basis
A proposal would change how Gahanna balances its council wards from registered voters to residents, with boundary redraws tied to the decennial census and a 20% disparity trigger. Public speakers and commissioners flagged risks of using flawed 2020 census data mid-cycle; the commission is rewriting the amendment with an effective date around the 2030 census.
2026 Franklin County Property Value Update
County values are being updated this triennial cycle, with Gahanna-Jefferson area values up about 8-9% — much milder than 2023's historic jump. Tentative notices mail in June/July and residents can challenge values at review sessions or via the Board of Revision.
Q1 revenue decline driven by return-to-office policies
General fund revenue is down about 8% versus last year, largely because big employers bringing workers back to offices means less income tax collected here. Permit revenue is booming, though, and reserves remain strong — so no budget cuts are planned for now.
Selection Method for City Attorney
Should Gahanna's city attorney be elected by voters or appointed? The current city attorney argued the elected structure keeps the office independent and cheaper, and the commission effectively dropped the idea.
2026 Charter Review Commission
A charter review commission is meeting every other Thursday and taking proposals from board members and the public, with any recommended amendments possibly headed to the November ballot.