Developers ask commission to delay I‑270 zoning definition changes; case postponed to December

Property owners and developers told the Hilliard Planning & Zoning Commission on Nov. 13 they were surprised by language in the newly adopted I‑270 corridor zoning and asked that the proposed definitions be refined before final adoption.

Staff said the city adopted the I‑270 corridor ordinance earlier in the year but that a couple of definitions had been left out and were now proposed for insertion or revision, including combining 'light industrial' and 'light manufacturing' into one definition and adding 'continuing care retirement community' to permitted uses. Planner John (staff) explained the changes are intended to clarify code language for the I‑270 districts and support technology and employment‑based uses, but acknowledged the amendments could unintentionally narrow uses that previously fit in the M‑1 industrial district.

Developers Leland Vogel and Kevin McGrath said Hilliard Commerce Park and other sites had not received notice that rezoning occurred and warned that the proposed narrow definition could disqualify many existing tenants (for example, automotive detailers, boutique service businesses) and impair leased spaces built and marketed under the prior M‑1 zoning. They asked the commission to delay adoption, work with staff to refine the definitions, and include affected property owners in that review.

Staff acknowledged the concerns, noted mechanisms such as zoning appeals and nonconforming use provisions exist, and told commissioners they were open to reworking language. Commissioners moved to postpone the case to the December Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to allow further review and outreach; the motion carried on a voice vote.