Work on Canal Winchester comprehensive plan expected to start in June
Work is expected to begin this month on a new comprehensive plan to guide future development in Canal Winchester, according to city officials.
As part of that effort, City Council is expected to act June 6 to finalize the members of a steering committee that will help devise that plan, Planning and Zoning Administrator Andrew Moore said.
Residents have strong interest in the future growth of their city, as evidenced by the number of people who want to serve on the steering committee. More than 30 residents applied.
Four of them – Ann Bennett, Richard Brown, Laura Taylor and Mike Vasco – were randomly selected to serve as at-large members.
Guidelines set by City Council indicate the steering committee also will include a City Council member; Mayor Mike Ebert or his appointee; and a member from the planning and zoning and landmarks commissions, the Canal Winchester Industry and Commerce Corp., chamber of commerce and the Canal Winchester Joint Recreation District.
The steering committee also will incorporate residents from Canal Winchester homeowners’ associations and the Olde Town area, according to council guidelines.
Canal Winchester has hired Michigan consulting firm McKenna for $209,000 to work with the steering committee and complete a comprehensive plan over 10 months.
Building a consensus and commitment from elected and appointed officials, residents, city staff and other stakeholders will be important in developing a comprehensive plan, city Development Director Lucas Haire has said.
He said typical components of a comprehensive plan include: existing conditions and demographics; community vision; future land use; a thoroughfare plan; parks and open spaces; utility master plan; economic development plan; and implementation and strategies.
Canal Winchester last adopted a comprehensive plan in 1999.
The city has seen a growing list of new annexations and rezoning requests, specifically for industrial buildings and warehouses.
A citizens’ group, CW For SMART Growth – No More Warehouses!, has asked city leaders to think about development beyond warehouses.
CW For SMART Growth opposed a pair of warehouses at Bixby and Rager roads, which City Council ultimately approved through an emergency ordinance during its May 16 meeting.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Work on Canal Winchester comprehensive plan expected to start in June
