BZA approves mixed office, showroom and warehouse at 5522 Center Street, caps warehouse at 70%

The Hilliard Board of Zoning Appeals approved a change to the nonconforming use at 5522 Center Street to allow an office and retail showroom portion alongside continued warehouse use, and the board amended the proposal to cap the warehouse portion at a maximum of 70 percent of the building.

Planning staff said the site previously housed a contractor’s office and substantial equipment storage. The applicant’s schematic plan showed roughly 32.5 percent of the space as office and showroom and 67.5 percent as warehouse. Staff found the change to office/showroom with remaining warehouse was more consistent with Old Hilliard residential zoning and the comprehensive plan, and staff recommended approval with four conditions.

Applicant Andy Johnson, the project architect, told the board he has not yet purchased the property and that the drawings submitted are conceptual. Johnson asked whether the approval could allow flexibility if final construction documents slightly adjust the office/warehouse breakdown; staff said minor adjustments could be accommodated and that they could issue a zoning certificate tied to the board approval as part of the usual plan review process.

Board discussion focused on the maximum warehouse percentage, parking and exterior improvements. The applicant asked whether a mural shown in the concept plan was covered by the approval; staff clarified the mural would require separate review by the public art commission. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the change in nonconforming use under Hilliard code section 11 37.02 with staff recommendations, raising the proposed warehouse cap from 67.5 percent to 70 percent. The motion was seconded and carried on a roll call that produced seven recorded yes votes. The chair announced the motion carried 7–0.

Staff advised there is room on site to add parking if final calculations require it and that the board has the authority to limit the warehouse portion to prevent the building becoming predominantly warehouse use.