Posted October 29, 200519 yr From the 10/26/05 Coshocton Tribune: Cherry Valley Lodge to add water $20 million water park By JASON MAIN Gannett News Service NEWARK - The new owners of Cherry Valley Lodge expect the addition of a $20 million water park to the hotel and conference facility to attract new customers, add jobs and provide entertainment for patrons. Wave Development LLC plans to begin construction on the 50,000-square-foot addition in November or December on land northwest of the existing on Cherry Valley Road. Project representatives announced plans for the park during a Tuesday press conference at City Hall hosted by Mayor Bruce Bain. Mark Flaherty, managing partner of Wave Development, which has built water parks at hotels in five other cities, said the park will help boost occupancy rates at the lodge by attracting new guests and enhancing service to its current clientele. More at http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051026/NEWS01/510260318/1002/NEWS17
October 31, 200519 yr Author From the 10/29/05 Newark Advocate: Poll: Voters prefer redeveloping urban land By JASON MCALISTER Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- About 90 percent of Licking County voters prefer to redevelop urban land rather than develop farmland as the population grows in the next 25 years, a recent poll said. The poll of 2,100 Licking County active voters by Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission was presented to a group of 90 elected officials, citizens and business owners who met Thursday evening at the Cherry Valley Lodge. At each table at the seminar, small groups talked about development problems that they foresee in their neck of the woods in the county. "Eminent domain is a tough nut," said County Commissioner Tim Bubb to several other community leaders at his table. "Is it possible to redevelop urban areas without using eminent domain to do it?" "We have to look at land space, zoning and use of green space," said County Commissioner Doug Smith, also at the table. Read more at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051029/NEWS01/510290311/1002
October 31, 200519 yr About 90 percent of Licking County voters prefer to redevelop urban land rather than develop farmland as the population grows in the next 25 years, a recent poll said. Yet probably 75% of them, if placed in a situation where they had to choose, would move into the newly-built subdivision on farmland rather than into the redeveloped urban land.
November 1, 200519 yr All, or most, of the population growth is happening in farm land around Pataskala and the counties border with New Albany (really it's entire border with Franklin County). There has been a lot of development in the Hebron area as well.
November 8, 200519 yr Author From the 11/3/05 Johnstown Independent: Licking County reviews MORPC's growth plan Johnstown, New Albany area corridors to be recommended for development Thursday, November 3, 2005 By LORI WINCE Independent Staff Writer Officials from seven counties gathered Oct. 27 to hear the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission's (MORPC) vision of how the area can grow. MORPC officials began the study a year ago, meeting with officials and residents in Madison, Union, Delaware, Franklin, Pickaway, Fairfield and Licking counties, asking their opinions on regional growth. After working with the local jurisdictions, MORPC officials have put together maps that show ways the area can grow without losing all available land. The focus Oct. 27 was on Licking County. Government officials from Licking County, Johnstown, several townships and New Albany were invited, along with business owners and area residents. Kimberly Gibson, MORPC program manager for the study, said the region -- including all seven counties -- is expected to add 573,000 more people by 2030. For Licking County, that means a 40 percent increase in population by 2030. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=Johnstown&story=thisweeknews/110305/Johnstown/News/110305-News-38989.html
November 15, 200519 yr Author An adjacent tract of land that could have benefitted from the water park's development will now not be developed--for the time being. From the 11/12/05 Newark Advocate: Developer withdraws Cherry Valley proposal Cherry Valley site to remain open By BRIAN MILLER Advocate Reporter GRANVILLE -- A developer has withdrawn a proposal for a $10 million to $13 million multi-use retail development at Cherry Valley Road and Newark-Granville Road because of opposition from a committee of local business, school district and government leaders. Developer Harry Giltz of Canton said he withdrew his proposal because he got the feeling the community didn't want the anchor store, a 25,000-square-foot Drug Mart. He said the message was it was "too big for them and would hurt the downtown," and added: "I thought it would do really well in town." The proposal -- which also included several retail outlets, offices, and lofts and possibly a bank or restaurant -- was attractive to some leaders because of the additional tax revenues it would have brought in for the school district and the additional customers it could have generated for Granville businesses. More at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051112/NEWS01/511120304/1002
November 16, 200519 yr Author Good Lord. From ThisWeek Reynoldsburg, 11/10/05: PHOTO: This artist's rendering by Wandel & Schnell Architects Inc. shows the layout of the proposed Hazelton Town Center. PHOTO: This artist's rendering by Wandel & Schnell Architects Inc. shows how the northwest quadrant -- the first phase -- of the Hazelton Town Center will appear when finished. Hazelton Town Center coming to Pataskala 'Gateway' to city to begin next year at 310-Emswiler Thursday, November 10, 2005 By MARK A. CLAFFEY ThisWeek Staff writer A multi-phase project is planned for the intersection of state Route 310 and Emswiler Way in Pataskala. The intersection will be the site of a new retail, commercial and residential development project called Hazelton Town Center. The developer and Pataskala officials hope the center will become a featured gateway to the city. "We have a real opportunity to create a gateway on this 110-acre site and bring together a new development project that will fit nicely with 'old' Pataskala," said Scott Mallory, president of Highland Management Group Inc., based in Lewis Center. Pataskala City Council member Barb Triplett, who also chairs its economic development committee, said Hazelton Town Center is a well-planned project that definitely will set a tone in Pataskala. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=Reynoldsburg&story=thisweeknews/111005/Reynoldsburg/News/111005-News-43805.html
November 16, 200519 yr Lord... "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 16, 200519 yr More sprawl for Columbus with no signs of stopping. This city sorely needs a lake, mountain range, or ocean to stop the suburbanites.
November 16, 200519 yr More sprawl for Columbus with no signs of stopping. This city sorely needs a lake, mountain range, or ocean to stop the suburbanites. Hell, not even that helps. Look at Los Angeles, Detroit, etc. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 17, 200519 yr "Anytime you can get people to do all their shopping and keep their business in Pataskala, that's definitely a good thing," This statement pretty much sums up why these things keep popping up like weeds. The convenience of not having to leave your 'burb' makes life good.
November 26, 200519 yr Author From the 11/22/05 Newark Advocate: 161 expansion fuels development fears By JASON MCALISTER Advocate Reporter ALEXANDRIA -- At a Monday night meeting, Alexandria Village Council members, St. Albans Township trustees and Northridge Schools board members discussed ways to protect their communities from undesirable development that could result from Ohio 161's expansion. Among the defense mechanisms the group seeks to create is a planning map with corresponding zoning regulations within the township and village. In so doing, area leaders hope to provide a framework for development that would benefit the community and schools. "I'm very fearful of high density development because of the school district," said Village Councilwoman Naomi Compton. Her fears were echoed by other council members, trustees and school board members. Last year, council members and area farmers frowned on one developer's proposal to annex a 430-acre plot of land in the township and build about 1,000 homes and condos. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051122/NEWS01/511220310/1002
November 26, 200519 yr Let me get this straight. In Central Ohio, it took 200 years to develop 800 square miles. Now MORPC has a "plan" that develops 714 sq mi in the next 25 years? You don't need a plan to squander resources at that rate--just hired blind monkeys.
December 16, 200519 yr Author From the 12/10/05 Newark Advocate: Developments under way in Pataskala By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- Two developments on Ohio 310, just south of downtown Pataskala, are taking shape, and when completed, they should be a boon to senior citizens and shoppers. Work crews recently broke ground on a subdivision next to Hosanna Lutheran Church. The subdivision, known as Sugar Mill, will cover 33.9 acres and hold 65 single-family homes and an assisted-living facility. The assisted-living facility will contain 24 units. Just north of Sugar Mill, a developer is getting ready to start building a retail center that will serve as a gateway to Pataskala. The much-talked-about project, known as Hazelton Town Center, could get under way in the spring. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/NEWS01/512100306/1002
December 29, 200519 yr Author From ThisWeek Licking County, 12/18/05: 525-acre site in Pataskala available for development Infrastructure in place for potential industrial use Sunday, December 18, 2005 By BRIAN GADD ThisWeek Staff Writer With the Hazelton Town Center project planned at state Route 310 and Emswiler Way in Pataskala, Howard Emswiler hopes his 525-acre site will become more attractive to prospective developers. The parcel, bordered by Broad Street (state Route 16) on the north and a portion of Mink Street on its west side, is the largest contiguous acreage now available in the county for industrial development, Pataskala attorney Connie Klema said. Klema said the site is expected to be sold for $25,000 to $30,000 per acre, depending on whether the land is sold in parcels or in its entirety. It's been zoned planned manufacturing since August 1995 -- first by Lima Township trustees and then by Pataskala council after the village/township merger. The land previously was considered for industrial uses in the early 1990s, such as an aircraft manufacturing plant and an automaker. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=LickingCounty&story=thisweeknews/121805/LickingCounty/News/121805-News-67470.html From same: Ad-hoc group formed to help spur development Sunday, December 18, 2005 By BRIAN GADD ThisWeek Staff Writer A group of county and local officials hoping to help foster economic development opportunities met Dec. 16 to formally kick off the efforts. The Licking County retention and expansion task force met with Eric Canada of Chicago-based Blane Canada Ltd., an economic development consulting firm, at The Works in downtown Newark to learn how to use the firm's software tool. It's called the Synchronist Business Information System. Licking County economic development manager Rob Klinger said the software can be used as a clearinghouse for information on local companies and the local economy. By having local businesses, as well as those interested in moving to Licking County, complete an online questionnaire, county officials hope to use the information collected to gain insight on companies' future needs and what skills are in demand. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=LickingCounty&story=thisweeknews/121805/LickingCounty/News/121805-News-68089.html
January 18, 200619 yr Author From the 1/10/06 Newark Advocate: Newark, Heath set for growth Mayors hold conference with local leaders By L.B. WHYDE Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- With their two cities joined together in many ways, the mayors of Newark and Heath came together Monday to discuss their common challenges with local business leaders. "We, Newark and Heath, are true sister cities. What happens in Newark can happen to us," Heath Mayor Dan Dupps told a Licking County Chamber of Commerce crowd at Cherry Valley Lodge. Mayor Dupps cited Heath's 2005 accomplishments as completion of Ohio 79 widening, water and waste water utility improvements and the alignment of Kaiser Drive, which opens up 300 acres for future development. He also discussed upcoming plans, including a expansion of the bike trail at Hoback Park to the Heath pool, a connector road between Ohio 79 and Thornwood Drive and a skate park. Full story athttp://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060110/NEWS01/601100308/1002/NEWS17 From same: Granville development plan praised Retail, condo sites planned near Ohio 16 crossing By BRIAN MILLER Advocate Reporter GRANVILLE -- Village officials said a 17-acre mixed-use development proposed for the east side seems to be sensitive to three issues important to residents: impact on the schools, traffic and blending with the community's atmosphere. At a Granville Planning Commission meeting Monday, Columbus developer Northstar Realty presented plans and maps of an office, retail and condominium development proposed for north of Ohio 16 and west of Cherry Valley Road. Northstar co-owner Tom Brigdon said the firm hopes to break ground on the retail and office components next summer and on the condos by the end of the year or the spring or fall of 2007. The proposed 54 condominium units would add relatively few children to the schools, and the architecture of the shops and offices would mesh with the flavor of the village, said Riffle and Village Planner Chris Strayer. They also said the additional traffic created by the development would be modified by the fact the condos are not overly large, and that the development would be pedestrian-oriented. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060110/NEWS01/601100307/1002
January 23, 200619 yr Author From the 1/15/06 Newark Advocate: Rezoning approval clears way for new Etna development By LARRY FUGATE Advocate Contributor ETNA -- Newly elected Etna Township Trustee Dick Knapp learned how influential his lone vote could be. It was enough to approve a rezoning measure that cleared the way for a retail development center at the corner of U.S. 40 and Watkins Road. The proposed development will possibly feature the township's first sit-down family restaurant, along with a hair-styling shop, dry cleaners and other similar operations, according to Thomas R. Wells, operations manager for I-site, a site research and development service in Pataskala. A Pataskala company, PVRC Inc., has proposed the development. Last fall, the developers saw their first rezoning attempt fail when then-Trustee Rachael Siddens and board president Gary Burkholder voted against the rezoning. The unanimous verdict of the two trustees overrode a 3-1 decision of the Etna Township Zoning Commission in favor of the rezoning. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060115/NEWS01/601150308/1002
January 28, 200619 yr Author From the 1/18/06 Newark Advocate: MAP Wal-Mart confirms interest in Etna site Rezoning setback in August didn't deter retailer By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- A Wal-Mart superstore could be coming to fast-growing Etna Township in the coming months. "Yes, we are interested in a store there," said Wal-Mart spokesperson Ron Mosby of a 20-acre site on the east side of Ohio 310, just north of U.S. 40. "We are pulling all the proper permits and things before moving forward." Twenty acres adjacent to the site was the subject of a rezoning bid rejected by Etna Township trustees in August. CESO, a Dayton-based engineering firm, submitted a zoning permit to the township that calls for an unnamed retail store to build a 203,819-square-foot structure, complete with a drive-through pharmacy and 1,058 parking spaces, on the east side of Ohio 310. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060118/NEWS01/601180304/1002/NEWS17
January 29, 200619 yr Author From ThisWeek Licking County, 1/22/06: 161 accord told to 'get ahead' of development Sunday, January 22, 2006 By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Staff Writer Get ahead of development and establish a tax base. Bill Habig calls these his "two rules" of planning and zoning. Habig, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, gave that advice to the State Route 161 Licking County Planning Accord in a Jan. 19 meeting at Jersey Township Hall. The accord includes representatives from St. Albans Township, Granville Township, Alexandria, Jersey Township, Licking County commissioners, Granville and New Albany. Habig said it can be difficult for local people when an area develops from rural to urban. "Get your planning and zoning ahead of it," Habig said. "(Development) took over Delaware (County). Much of the development in Delaware is in the townships. That's what can happen in any county if you don't get ahead of it. You will have growth out here. It will be the kind you want or what those outside want." Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=LickingCounty&story=thisweeknews/012206/LickingCounty/News/012206-News-84514.html From same: Old Newark Plaza to be razed Shopping-center construction on 18.63-acre site likely to begin in spring Sunday, January 22, 2006 By BRIAN GADD ThisWeek Staff Writer A Wisconsin-based commercial development firm plans to demolish the old Newark Plaza strip in the spring to make way for a new shopping center. Newark economic development director Stephen Fowler confirmed Thursday that the city has been working with representatives from Continental Properties Co., based in Menomonee Falls. "It's my understanding that they will be breaking ground in March and should have the building pad down by April," Fowler said. He said that a 55,000- to 70,000-square-foot anchor store is planned, as well as an attached strip center, which will house several other businesses. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=LickingCounty&story=thisweeknews/012206/LickingCounty/News/012206-News-84511.html
January 30, 200619 yr Author From the 1/28/06 Newark Advocate: RESORT PLANS MAKE A SPLASH Officials say renovations will boost area tourism By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Cherry Valley Lodge won't only be a place travelers stay while visiting other places, it'll become a tourist destination itself. That's the view of Robin Kirk, vice president of operations for Sage Hospitality Resources, which operates the lodge and is a partner in a $28 million renovation of the hotel and creation of a 45,000-square-foot indoor water resort. Construction on the massive water park is expected to add 50 to 100 jobs at the lodge and provide a boost to existing Licking County attractions and the local economy. A ground-breaking ceremony was held Friday, and the project is expected to be completed next winter. Hotel improvements * Renovation of 18-acre hotel property * A 45,000-square-foot water resort * Upscale 5,000-square foot spa * Casual restaurant * Renovation of all hotel guest rooms * Upgraded meeting and conference space, with state-of-the-art equipment * Lobby redesign Water resort features * A 246-foot-long, 9 foot-wide river channel with water flows of 60- to 120-feet-per-minute * A 14,000-square foot activity pool, with water walk and water basketball * Children's area, with floor geysers and whitewater slides * Plunge pool * Indoor and outdoor whirlpools * Video arcade More at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060128/NEWS01/601280301/1002/NEWS17
January 30, 200619 yr Author From the 1/29/06 Newark Advocate: Granville, Heath, Newark councils to meet Growth, traffic, communication issues on the agenda By BRIAN MILLER Advocate Reporter GRANVILLE -- Emergency communications, impact fees and a possible upgrade of the Cherry Valley Road-Ohio 16 intersection are on the agenda at the Jan. 30 joint meeting of the councils of Heath, Newark and Granville. The possibility of the three municipalities jointly enacting fees that residential developers would pay to offset the costs of upgrading services like water, sewer and roads will be a topic of a general discussion, said Jim Van Ostran of the civil engineering and surveying firm of Jobes Henderson & Associates in Newark. Van Ostran, a member of the Mayor's Development Task Force in Heath, will lead the discussion. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/NEWS01/601290309/1002
January 31, 200619 yr Author From the 1/21/06 Newark Advocate: PHOTO: The construction of new homes continues to be a popular sight around Pataskala as people move to the city to escape big-city traffic congestion and enroll their children in good schools. Here, workers build a new home on Hazelwood Drive behind Kroger. Chad Klimack, The Advocate Pataskala merger yields mixed results Ten years later, city of Pataskala facing funding woes, political battles By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- Ten years after the merger between the village of Pataskala and Lima Township, challenges continue to plague the city. Funding woes and political battles have defined the city in recent years, and Pataskala resident Dick Robinson wonders if the merger worked. "They bit off more than they could chew," said Robinson, who has lived on Headleys Mill Road for 20 years. "They (the Village of Pataskala) joined with Lima Township, which is big, and they did it with their existing services. All you've ever heard since then is 'We need more money.'" The merger between the village and the township officially became effective on Jan. 1, 1996. Ten years later, Councilman Bernard Brush, who has been part of some of the recent political battles in the city, said he feels the merger worked. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060121/NEWS01/601210310/1002/NEWS17 From same: Pataskala seeing large growth spurt By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- Population estimates demonstrate that thousands of people have flocked to Pataskala in recent years. In 1990, the population of Lima Township and Pataskala totaled 7,444, according to the United States Census Bureau. Come 2000, after the merger between both entities, the population hit 10,249. Today, city officials believe the population numbers closer to 17,000. Most of the growth is taking place on the extreme eastern and western borders of Pataskala. The developers of Hazelwood, which stands behind Kroger, are in the process of building 339 new homes. Across Broad Street from Kroger, the developers of Amhurst Village have built close to 74 new homes. Both communities stand on the far eastern border of Pataskala. On the far western edge of Pataskala, the developers of Brooksedge are building up to 510 new homes, and the developers of Taylor Glen are building up to 214. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060121/NEWS01/601210309/1002/NEWS17
January 31, 200619 yr Author From the 1/26/06 Johnstown Independent: Village begins strategic planning process Thursday, January 26, 2006 By MARLA K. KUHLMAN Independent Staff Writer The village of Johnstown will spend the next 10 months creating a comprehensive/strategic plan for the future. Village manager Sarah Phillips said a Strategic Plan Steering Committee is examining a number of items centered on land use planning and the growth of the village. Specifically, the committee is looking at economic development, school systems, parks systems, senior citizen services, downtown development, transportation planning, residential development and commercial and industrial development, among other issues. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=Johnstown&story=thisweeknews/012606/Johnstown/News/012606-News-84924.html From same: Johnstown pursues revitalization Manager seeks state grant funds for utilities study, topographical survey Thursday, January 26, 2006 By MARLA K. KUHLMAN Independent Staff Writer The village of Johnstown is applying for additional funding for its downtown revitalization program. Johnstown Village Council approved a resolution Jan. 17 to apply to participate in the Ohio Department of Development Comprehensive Downtown Revitalization Program - Tier One Improvement Program. Village manager Sarah Phillips said Johnstown is seeking funds to conduct a utilities study and a topographical survey of the downtown area. The survey will involve locating property lines, easements, utilities and utility service points. The village of Johnstown was awarded a $15,000 grant last year by the Ohio Department of Development Tier 1 Funding Program to prepare the Downtown Revitalization and Development Plan for downtown Johnstown. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/thisweek.php?edition=Johnstown&story=thisweeknews/012606/Johnstown/News/012606-News-84922.html
February 6, 200619 yr Author From the 1/31/06 Newark Advocate: Cities weigh fees to offset development costs By BRIAN MILLER Advocate Reporter GRANVILLE -- Leaders of Newark, Heath and Granville agreed Monday to study proposed impact fees that would offset the costs of delivering services to new residential development. But some of those attending the joint meeting of the three city councils acknowledged that coming up with one plan for all three municipalities might be difficult. All three currently have limited fees to offset some costs of development. Heath and Granville require developers to contribute land or money toward parks and Newark assesses a fee to cover wastewater service. But none have a comprehensive fee offsetting the impact of residential development on roads and fire and police protection. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/NEWS01/601310314/1002/NEWS17
February 6, 200619 yr Author From the 2/5/06 Newark Advocate: PHOTO: The developer of Park Trails, a housing development in West Newark, helped fund intersection upgrades to deal with the increase in traffic from the new homes. (Giles Clement, The Advocate) Should developers fund local upgrades? Some fear impact fees will boost prices for home buyers By BRIAN MILLER Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- When Park Trails burst out of farm fields into a new subdivision off of River Road, it created an abundance of new traffic for the nearby Reddington Road-Cherry Valley Road intersection. The new traffic pushed the already strained intersection to the point of needing widening, realignment and traffic signals, said Newark City Engineer Brian Morehead. The work was done about a year ago at a cost of $200,000. It was only reasonable to ask Park Trails developer M/I Schottenstein to pay part of the cost, and it did -- $45,000. "Had they not built the development, we might have had more time before the light was needed," said Morehead. Asking developers to contribute to the cost of municipal services for new residential development to ease the burden on taxpayers has become an increasingly common practice in Ohio. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060205/NEWS01/602050301/1002
February 6, 200619 yr It seems to me that a good way to handle booming development is to set up a system where developers can contribute to an overall infrastructure fund that does more than just improve roadways. If a certain number of homes are planned for a subdivision, then a percentage of the sales should also go into this fund. At least such a fund could help underwrite the cost of building in routine accomadtions for bike / pedestrian improvements and mass transit improvements (where applicable). And it shouldn't just fall on residential developers to pay into such a fund. Commercial developers should be a part of this as well, as their developments (whether they are industrial or retail) tend to generate a lot of traffic as well. A fund like this would not be a substitute for good planning, but it would provide some local dollars to assist that planning process.
February 12, 200619 yr Author From the 2/10/06 Newark Advocate: Granville Zoning board delays action on condos Advocate staff reports GRANVILLE -- The Granville Board of Zoning and Building Appeals decided to wait for more details before deciding whether to allow 54 condo buildings as part of a proposed mixed use development on the east side. At a meeting Thursday, the board tabled a developer's request for a conditional use for the condo buildings and on three other related requests: variances for greater density of units and greater lot coverage than zoning allows, and on a reduction of the front yard setback (the distance from the right of way) to 10 from 30 feet. However, the board granted a conditional use for a bank with a rear drive-through on Cherry Valley Road and a variance for a smaller setback -- 10 instead of 30 feet -- for a pair of retail buildings on opposite sides of South Galway Drive. The entire plan includes the condos and bank, four retail buildings and three office buildings on a 17-acre site west of Cherry Valley Road and north of Ohio 16. While the area is zoned for business, banks and residential uses are a conditional use. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/NEWS01/602100307/1002/NEWS17
February 22, 200619 yr Author From the 2/21/06 Dispatch: ETNA TOWNSHIP Residents fear traffic drawn by Wal-Mart Tuesday, February 21, 2006 Kelly Hassett THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH It’s not so much the idea of a Wal-Mart that worries some Etna Township residents. It’s the thousands of vehicles that would come with it. Traffic and development concerns about plans for a Wal-Mart on Rt. 310, about onequarter mile north of the Rt. 40 intersection, have prompted officials to schedule a public meeting Wednesday night to explain the project and other development issues. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/02/21/20060221-D1-04.html
February 22, 200619 yr Manufacturer to add Licking Co. plant Business First of Columbus - 10:30 AM EST Wednesday A Grove City materials and metals manufacturer is expanding into Licking County, but it does not expect the move to affect its plant in Grove City. Tosoh SMD Inc., a subsidiary of Japan-based Tosoh Corp., purchased a 90,000-square-foot plant in Etna Township previously owned by Boston-based Cabot Corp., one of Tosoh's competitors. "This was an asset acquisition," said Tosoh SMD President Mark Gore. "There are new pieces of equipment there that we want to use." He said the acquisition was unrelated to plans to expand its Grove City plant. The company was approved in December for a 10-year, 65-percent tax credit from the state for a $25.7-million project to its 200,000-square-foot facility on Gantz Road facility in Grove City. That project would add a new product line and up to 91 new jobs. The plant currently employs 204 workers. Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/02/20/daily14.html
March 20, 200619 yr Author From the 3/18/06 Dispatch: Developer asks for schools’ promise Transfer to Newark district would slash home prices, firm says Saturday, March 18, 2006 Kelly Hassett THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A developer wants some certainty that a planned Licking County subdivision won’t switch school districts, a move that could mean markedly lower prices. Prospective homebuyers in Newark’s Park Ridge subdivision, which was annexed into the city but is within the Granville school district, don’t have a guarantee on which school district their homes will stay in when they buy. Construction at the 76-acre, 142-lot property is scheduled to begin in April, with homes starting at $275,000. The Newark-Granville Community Authority, which assigns a surcharge to help Granville schools offset costs from Newark city development, wants Rockford Homes to sign on. The authority would impose a 20-year, 5.2-mill surcharge, which would tack an additional $500 onto the homeowners’ annual tax bills. But before Rockford Homes joins the authority, it wants a guarantee that the property will remain in the high-performing Granville district for seven years, said Philip Hartmann, the developer’s attorney. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/03/18/20060318-C1-03.html
April 13, 200619 yr Author From the 4/8/06 Dispatch: Proposal to annex farmland in doubt Reynoldsburg mayor expresses concerns about Columbus’ role Saturday, April 08, 2006 Jim Woods THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Reynoldsburg city leaders are reconsidering whether to annex hundreds of acres of Licking County farmland for development. Reynoldsburg Mayor Bob McPherson stopped annexation talks in April 2005 for 385 acres along Palmer Road in Etna Township because he disliked how Columbus was trying to control their development. Columbus supplies water and sewer service to Reynoldsburg, as well as 21 other suburban communities. Reynoldsburg has to get permission to extend water and sewer lines beyond its current boundaries. Columbus would allow water and sewer lines to serve homes in as many as 600 acres of Etna Township. But McPherson and Reynoldsburg City Council members wanted a water line large enough to support businesses along with houses. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/08/20060408-C4-02.html
May 9, 200619 yr Author From the 5/9/06 Newark Advocate: PHOTO: The property behind the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Heath may be the future site of a 700,000-square-foot shopping center. Michael Lehmkuhle, The Advocate Developers hope to bring large retail center to Heath By JASON MCALISTER Advocate Reporter HEATH -- A proposed shopping center with multiple stores totaling four Wal-Marts in size soon may have Heath residents making fewer trips to Easton. The center would bring hundreds of jobs in construction and retail to Heath, as well as an economic benefit from taxes, officials say. A map supplied by the developer shows several large anchor stores and possibly a movie theater. Heath officials also have discussed making the shopping center a "downtown" area for the city. Chase Properties Ltd. has applied with the city of Heath to rezone about 300 agricultural acres behind Wal-Mart to commercial zoning for the shopping center, said David Palchesko, vice president of acquisition and development for Chase, which is based in Cleveland. "What we initially are looking at doing is rezoning a (100-acre) section of it for a retail complex, which would have several national anchor stores, and medium and small stores as well," Palchesko said. Palchesko said the remaining 200 acres of land likely would be developed into non-retail property, but those plans are as of yet undecided. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/NEWS01/605090319/1002/rss01
May 12, 200619 yr Author From the 5/12/06 Newark Advocate: Shopping center will help Heath Leaders, mall management hopeful about new venues By JASON MCALISTER Advocate Reporter HEATH -- City leaders and management at the Indian Mound Mall are hopeful a proposed new shopping center in the area will not out-compete existing local businesses. Instead, they contend new shopping options will do more to attract shoppers to Licking County, helping local businesses and the economy. "If we can have something that's not going to compete with what's here but will compete with Columbus, we both win," said Bruce Goldsberry, general manager of Indian Mound Mall. Goldsberry was referring to a recently announced proposed shopping center that may come to Heath within the next several years. The size of the multi-store, outdoor shopping mall roughly would equal the size of four Heath Wal-Marts. Store layout Types of stores that could come with a proposed new shopping center in Heath. (sq. ft. -- square foot) * 65,000 sq. ft. cinema * 123,000 sq. ft. anchor store * 2 x 94,000 sq. ft. anchor store * 50,000 sq. ft. anchor store * 4 x 30,000 sq. ft. major retail stores * 3 x 15,000 sq. ft. major retail stores * 1 x 30,000 sq. ft. small shops * 2 x 20,000 sq. ft. small shops * 2 x 12,000 sq. ft. small shops * 9 x 8,000 sq. ft. spaces for businesses (By comparison, the Heath Wal-Mart is about 200,000 sq. ft.) FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060512/NEWS01/605120303/1002/rss01
May 23, 200619 yr Author ^ Where's the "mixed" part at? It's pretty vague: Palchesko said the remaining 200 acres of land likely would be developed into non-retail property, but those plans are as of yet undecided. From ThisWeek Licking County, 5/21/06: Heath council delays reading on retail center Developers on tight time line; law director cites staff illnesses Sunday, May 21, 2006 By BRIAN GADD ThisWeek Staff Writer Despite the developer's tight time line, Heath City Council will have to wait a week to consider the 700,000-square-foot retail planned behind the Wal-Mart Supercenter. Heath law director Richard Bindley wasn't able last week to write legislation for the proposed rezoning of about 192 acres of the property, so council had to pull the measure from its May 15 council agenda. With the delay, a special council meeting will be held Monday, May 22, to formally refer the rezoning to the city's planning commission. The planning commission meets at 7 p.m. May 25. Mayor Dan Dupps said the planning commission could table the rezoning until a public hearing is held or could waive the hearing and approve the rezoning. Council then would have to set the rezoning for a public hearing of its own. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?edition=LickingCounty&story=thisweeknews/052106/LickingCounty/News/052106-News-156947.html
May 24, 200619 yr Author From the 5/23/06 Newark Advocate: Shopping center plans moving forward Heath City Council holds first reading of proposal to rezone about 200 acres of farm land By JASON MCALISTER Advocate Reporter HEATH -- Heath City Council's service committee had a first reading Monday of a zoning change for nearly 200 acres of farm land, one of the first steps toward construction of a new outdoor shopping center. The center would bring hundreds of jobs in construction and retail to Heath, as well as tax revenue, officials say. The council's planning commission will discuss the zoning change in a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Heath Municipal Building, and it will decide whether or not to hold a public hearing on the matter, or vote on whether to recommend it to council. The ordinance requires approval by a majority of council on a second reading before the zoning change would go into effect. If approved, the land behind the Indian Mound Mall would change to commercial zoning, and would allow a developer to pursue construction of a multiple-store shopping center totaling roughly the size of four Heath Wal-Marts. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/NEWS01/605230315/1002/rss01
May 25, 200619 yr This downtown has no public square except a parking lot, fronts on no main streets, is buried behind another mall, and apparently turns it loading docks to the rest of it's city.
May 25, 200619 yr I was all excited when I saw the name of the thread, only to discover it's a run-of-the-mill shopping center. If that's a downtown, then we've been misnaming the suburbs all these years! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 26, 200619 yr Author From the 5/26/06 Newark Advocate: Commission OKs rezoning for shopping development Heath council still must vote on request By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter HEATH -- The Heath Planning Commission approved on Thursday rezoning 191 acres -- immediately west of the Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby and Target stores -- for a proposed shopping center. The land, currently zoned agricultural, would become general business. The full council also must approve the rezoning, after a public hearing is conducted. The council will hear the ordinance on June 5, but the earliest it could grant final approval will be at its July 17 meeting. Chase Properties Ltd. previously presented the city with a tentative plan for the area, including four major anchor stores, seven major retail stores, five small shop areas, a proposed cinema and nine out lots. The anchor stores would vary in size from 50,000 square feet to 123,000 square feet, with a total of 700,000 square feet of retail shopping space, with national and regional retailers. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060526/NEWS01/605260319/1002/rss01
June 6, 200619 yr Author From the 6/6/06 Newark Advocate: Council sets public hearing date on zoning change for shopping center By JASON MCALISTER Advocate Reporter HEATH -- At its meeting Monday night, the Heath City Council set a public hearing for 7:10 p.m. July 3 on a zoning change for nearly 200 acres of farm land, one of the first steps toward construction of a new outdoor shopping center. The center, which would be located behind Indian Mound Mall, would bring hundreds of jobs in construction and retail to Heath, as well as tax revenue, officials say. Jeff Crabill, council president, said July 3 was the soonest possible date a public hearing could be held, due to a 15-day waiting period rule before public hearings can be held. The ordinance requires approval by a majority of council on a second reading before the zoning change would go into effect. If approved, the land behind the Indian Mound Mall would change to commercial zoning, and would allow a developer to pursue construction of a multiple-store shopping center totaling roughly the size of four Heath Wal-Marts. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/NEWS01/606060305/1002/rss01
June 7, 200619 yr Author Metro areas losing population to 'exurbs' Newark Advocate, 4/25/06 More Americans are trading suburban life in places like Columbus for life in the "exurbs," more rural communities such as Licking County where homes are cheaper and on more land. A new census report shows nearly every large metropolitan area, not just the core cities, had more people move out than move in from 2000 to 2004, with a few exceptions in the South and Southwest. That's one of the reasons Licking County's population grew by nearly 10,000 people to 154,806 so far this decade, said Licking County Planning Commission Director Jerry Brems. He cites the county's proximity to Columbus, creation of water/sewer lines in the southwestern part of the county and the upcoming widening of Ohio 161/37 as key factors. Newark leading impact-fee study ThisWeek Licking County, 5/7/06 Local officials in Heath, Granville and Newark still are researching the creation of impact fees and whether the individual councils should pay for a professional study or share in the cost. Newark economic development director Stephen Fowler is taking the lead by arranging for three public forums on the subject to help educate local officials and residents. The forums will be held May 8 during the city's economic development committee meeting, May 15 during the regular council meeting and May 30 at the Cherry Valley Lodge. "The goal is not to try to sell impact fees but merely to inform the communities about them," Fowler said. "Licking County community leaders are interested in gaining a better understanding of what impact fees are and how they are implemented. The discussions are open to the public and designed to help Licking County local government leaders to see if impact fees are worth pursuing in their communities. It's a beginning effort." Pataskala looks at consequences of tax rejection ThisWeek Licking County, 5/7/06 Now that voters have said no to the city of Pataskala's 1.5-percent income tax, city officials will try figure out how to fix roads and bridges without the necessary revenue. Likewise, Pataskala rejected the library's 1.99-mill levy. Mayor Steve Butcher pointed out that decisions come with consequences. "There probably won't be any new projects," he said. "If a bridge fails, we don't have the money to fix it, so we barricade it. It's as simple as that." Butcher said the city would waste no time in discussing how to approach the situation. The income-tax measure was rejected, 1,678-1,169, according to unofficial results compiled by the Licking County Board of Elections. Council members change views, OK rezoning Newark Advocate, 5/16/06 A few weeks ago, at least five council members were opposed to rezoning 40 acres of industrial land on the west side of Thornwood Drive. At Monday's Newark City Council meeting, only Rick Henderson, a Republican councilman representing the Third Ward, voted against the rezoning. The other nine voted to change the zoning from manufacturing to multi-family residential and business. Pataskala City Council weighs ballot options Newark Advocate, 5/16/06 With the deadline looming to place issues on the August special election ballot, Pataskala City Council was unable to decide Monday between asking voters to support an income tax or a property levy. Instead of picking one issue, council members listened to the first readings of separate ordinances placing an income tax and a property levy on the Aug. 8 ballot. Council listened to both in an effort to keeps its options open prior to the May 25 deadline for placing issues on the special election ballot. Communities along 161 need to be ready for growth Newark Advocate, 5/19/06 If communities plan ahead and work cooperatively, they have a good chance to avoid many of the negative impacts of the widening of Ohio 161, urban and regional planner Keith Myers told leaders from communities along the route on Thursday. Myers, a Granville resident who drives Ohio 161 to work every day, said Columbus still is growing. By 2015, 158,000 new jobs will be in New Albany and in a section encircling Interstate 270 from New Albany to Dublin. Those people need places to live. The widening will shorten the commute to New Albany for Licking County residents by 15 to 20 minutes at rush hour, making western Licking County an appealing place to live. Predicting the pace of growth after the completion of the 13-mile widened section of Ohio 161 in 2008 is dicey, he said. He added, however, "The combination of quality school districts, good transportation and availability of water and sewer leads to explosive growth." County commissioners to consider request to annex into Johnstown ThisWeek Licking County, 5/21/06 Licking County commissioners will review a Johnstown attorney's annexation request after receiving questions and comments during a regular annexation hearing Monday. Larry Shafer is seeking approval to annex 210.64 acres of property into the village of Johnstown in hopes of opening the door for more light manufacturing development near the village. Village manager Sarah Phillips agreed the annexation could help with industrial growth. "We would have 200 some odd acres for industrial use," she said. "It's being marketed, and it could be a very viable option to attract companies to Johnstown. This land is to the east; we would look to the west next for future development. But this would be a huge benefit to the village if we had property available for development." Atrium Real Estate II LLC owns about 81 acres of the 210 acres involved in the annexation, as well as another 27 acres that also could be annexed. LCATS outlines history, future of state Route 16-Cherry Valley ThisWeek Licking County, 5/21/06 Matt Hill, transportation planner for Licking County Area Transportation Study (LCATS), updated Granville Village Council Wednesday night on plans for the intersection of Cherry Valley Road and state Route 16. LCATS is the forum for cooperative transportation decision-making by the principal elected officials of local governments in Licking County. The group serves as a local pass-through authority for federal funds. Hill outlined the history of improvement proposals for the intersection, showing a time line that began in 1964. At the time, the Ohio Department of Highways was considering a Route 157 corridor, which never came to fruition, and outlining the various pitfalls and problems that have beset the project since the 1992 upgrades to the south leg of Cherry Valley Road. Officials hope to control expressway's impact on growth in western area Newark Advocate, 5/21/06 Bob Carr has made his living farming in western Licking County. He has plunged his hands into the dark Jersey Township soil and watched his crops grow underneath the hot summer sun. Carr, who lives in Jersey Township, now wonders if he will be able to continue farming as he has for decades. The Ohio 161/37 expressway project will begin in June, and once it is completed in 2008, unprecedented residential and commercial growth will likely move into the township as people gravitate toward living in a rural area with easy access to Columbus. "We're bound to be affected by the growth," Carr said. "We have to learn how to live with it,so we can continue farming. We'll have to be good neighbors to our new neighbors." Officials in western Licking County are scrambling to make sure Carr and other residents do not lose their way of life, but much work remains if local communities hope to avoid the same fate as their Franklin County neighbors, many of whom have been overwhelmed by growth. Replanting a family farm in path of expressway Newark Advocate, 5/21/06 Lynd's, a fruit farm and gourmet shop, has been in business in one location since 1932, long before the first expressway came to Ohio. Owner Bob Lynd's parents started the business, and now Bob and his wife, Carolyn, run the farm. A graduate of Summit High School, Bob grew up on the farm on the current Ohio 161 and said he has heard talk of a road expansion for decades. "There's no question that there's a lot of traffic on this road, and something has to be done. I've heard since I was a little boy about a new highway," said Bob, 60. "But when I see how they've done it ...it's almost like driving something in between your neighbors. It's going to completely isolate the north and south end of (Jersey) township." Pataskala council may put tax issue on August ballot ThisWeek Licking County, 5/21/06 Pataskala City Council has scheduled a meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, to decide whether to place a tax issue on the Aug. 8 special-election ballot. Council will consider placing either an income-tax issue or a property-tax levy on the ballot to replace a 2.5-mill levy for roads and bridges that expired at the end of 2005. A 1.5-percent income-tax issue lost at the polls on May 2. If approved, it would have generated about $1.5-million a year for roads and other municipal operations.
June 7, 200619 yr The Ohio 161/37 expressway project will begin in June, and once it is completed in 2008, unprecedented residential and commercial growth will likely move into the township as people gravitate toward living in a rural area with easy access to Columbus.Don't they mean sprawl?
July 3, 200618 yr Author From ThisWeek Licking County, 7/2/06: Water park beginning to take shape Sunday, July 2, 2006 By BRIAN GADD ThisWeek Staff Writer Motorists driving along state Route 16 just north of Cherry Valley Road may be wondering about the tall wooden structure on the south side of the highway. The work in progress is Cherry Valley Lodge's new $20-million indoor water park. Construction continues on the lodge's expansion project, which is slated to open by Dec. 21, according to lodge general manager Becky Miller. Miller said the project has generated a lot of interest among guests, even though the lazy river and water slides are still months away from being functional. "People are talking about it, and we just booked our first outing, for next April," Miller said. "Granville High School will be holding its after-prom here, so we're really excited about that." More at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?edition=LickingCounty&story=thisweeknews/070206/LickingCounty/News/070206-News-182445.html
July 11, 200618 yr Author From ThisWeek Licking County, 7/9/06: Heath City Council may vote on planned retail center July 17 Sunday, July 9, 2006 By BRIAN GADD ThisWeek Staff Writer Heath City Council is expected to vote July 17 on an ordinance to rezone 192 acres just west of Central Parkway, behind the Indian Mound Mall and Cross Creek Shopping Center. Rezoning the land from agricultural to general business use would pave the way for a 700,000-square-foot retail center. During a public hearing on the rezoning July 3, David Palchesko, vice president of acquisitions and development with Chase Properties Ltd., told council the preliminary site plan presented earlier this year is continuing to undergo minor changes. "We're constantly refining the site plan, zeroing in on certain things and tightening it up a bit," Palchesko said. "This is by no means a final thing." FULL ARTICLE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?edition=LickingCounty&story=thisweeknews/070906/LickingCounty/News/070906-News-186033.html
July 12, 200618 yr Author Pataskala eyes road to future development ThisWeek Licking County, 6/4/06 Pataskala officials want to seek state funding for a road to link industrial parks in Pataskala and Etna. In addition, they want the road to extend south to I-70, with a proposed interchange. Etna Township officials have expressed concerns that such a road would bring an influx of truck traffic. Pataskala Mayor Steve Butcher said he has asked Etna trustees to meet with Pataskala officials at 6 p.m. Monday, June 5, to discuss joint support for an application for $5-million in Issue 1 funding for a new road to run through the sprawling 525-acre Emswiler property, off Mink Road. Landowners and county officials likely will attend. Butcher said the new road would go through the proposed "Pataskala Corporate Park," currently farmland owned by Howard Emswiler, and link up with the Etna Corporate Park and the adjacent ProLogis Park 70 Etna to the south of the city along U.S. Route 40. Emswiler has marketed his property for development, and Butcher has stated that an unnamed Japanese company has made inquiries into purchasing 25 acres.
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