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.
Garage variance at 116 Oklahoma Avenue
A homeowner in the Creekside Residential district wants permission to build a garage that doesn't meet the current standards. The variance hearing will show whether the Commission finds a practical hardship justifying the exception.
Development plan for 158 North High Street
A development plan application for a parcel in the Creekside Mixed-Use district is heading to the Commission. What gets approved here shapes future construction along North High Street.
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.
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.
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.
Supplemental appropriations
Council adopted supplemental appropriations to cover bond interest on the Gahanna Civic Center project, keeping the marquee downtown project's financing on track.
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.
Federal transit grant application for senior and disability mobility
The city is applying for a federal grant to keep the shuttle for older adults and residents with disabilities running through 2027. It has given nearly 850 rides since June, and the city plans to fund it next year even without the grant.
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.
FY 2027 City Budget
The administration wants Council to confirm which strategic plan priorities the 2027 budget should fund. A citywide sustainability plan is on the list, but members disagree on what it should cover and whether more plans are worth the cost.
Data centers and regional water resources
Councilmember Renner highlighted Central Ohio's 150+ data centers and Columbus's move toward reusing treated wastewater for industrial cooling — a possible way to protect drinking water while supporting growth.
Liquor permit applications — no hearing requested
The state's annual renewal of local liquor permits got no pushback from council or police, clearing the way for renewals including six pending applications.
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.
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.
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.
Home-based business regulations and the Gahanna Cinnamon Swirls bakery
A growing home bakery needed a variance just to hire one part-time employee, since home occupations normally must be run only by residents. The case shows how the city's home occupation rules interact with small businesses operating under Ohio cottage food law.
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.
Johnstown Road trailhead parking lot condition
The deteriorating parking lot at the Stonybrook Church trailhead on Route 62 serves mostly city park users. McGregor asked staff to explore a cross-easement deal with the church, similar to Sunpoint Park.
Grant funding for parkland acquisition and development
The city is seeking up to $500,000 in Land and Water Conservation Fund money for park projects, with a 50% match owed only if awarded. Staff analyst Sean Bock has $35-45 million in grant applications outstanding across the city.
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.
Pickleball court adequacy
Residents have been asking for more courts. The national standard is one court per 6,000 residents and Gahanna meets it, with four dedicated courts plus marked tennis courts at Hannah Park; trails top the priority list instead.
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.
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.
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.