Housing density, growth among top issues facing Franklin County suburban candidates

Growth and development doesn't take place on sprawling farmlands in most Franklin County suburbs. Instead, the focus often is an empty lot, a vacated or nuisance building or a plan for new apartments.

Controversies, when they arise, often relate to housing density and its burden on school districts, traffic, noise and other quality of life issues. And in a municipal election year like this one, there are plenty of examples being discussed in the county's suburban cities, villages and townships around Columbus.

Les Carrier, a Hilliard city councilman who, in part because of term limits on council, is running for Norwich Township trustee, said that this municipal election "will define if we'll develop like Columbus, or maintain our own identity for years to come."

Those running for office should embrace, not avoid, the tough issues involving change, said Jon Melchi, executive director of the Building Industry of Central Ohio.

"It's easier to get behind the known — which is nothing happening — than the unknown," Melchi said. "But the reality is that there is a need to change our view on what had been the norm from the mid-'90s or early 2000s. Clearly, in some communities, there has been opposition to growth."

Melchi cited Bexley, Hilliard and Worthington where some projects have been attacked, delayed or litigated.

In Worthington, the former United Methodist Children's Home property, now simply referred to as "1033 High Street," has been mired in litigation since Lifestyle Communities filed a request three years ago to rezone about 37 acres of the property. Lifestyle, which purchased the property for $5.2 million, sought to build single-family homes, multi-family townhomes and apartments, along with commercial and medical offices.

The city denied the request, which has set off a flurry of litigation from both sides ever since.

Less than a mile north, Worthington Gateway at West Wilson Bridge Road and High Street is nearing completion, including a mix of retail, restaurants and other services. Construction on the four-story, mixed-use building in the center of the site is also underway, according to the city.

Mike Duffey, a candidate for Worthington City Council who was nominated Monday by Gov. Mike DeWine to become chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, said most residents support smart growth. He notes that 70% of Worthington's budget comes from income tax, explaining why there's a push for more commercial growth in the city.

"What they don't agree with is a single developer coming along and trying to bully their way into the community," Duffey said. "When density occurs, I think it should happen naturally, and in an incremental manner."

That's why he would like to see Worthington purchase the former children's home property with some of the city's $22 million in unencumbered savings.

Some Worthington residents have called for parkland to be included in at least a portion of any development in the city. Parks are widely known to attract growth, especially residential development nearby. Columbus and Franklin County Metroparks' Quarry Trails is an example of that.

Suburbs such as Grandview Heights, Reynoldsburg, Whitehall and Upper Arlington have largely accepted similar ambitious projects as the one proposed by LIfestyle Communities, Melchi said. It is important for municipal officials to acknowledge "that there is a change coming, and if you embrace that change, you can generally steer it in a positive direction," he said.

But some development matters before the city of Gahanna have not had a positive impact, and that has become an issue in races there, especially in the race for city attorney.

Here's is a rundown of contested ballot races, levies and other issues on the Nov. 7 ballots in Franklin County communities outside of Columbus:

City of Worthington

A field of seven Worthington City Council candidates is running for three open seats. Incumbents Doug Smith and Pete Bucher face challengers Felicity Beck, Tom Burns, Rachael Dorothy, Mike Duffey and Amy Lloyd.

Along with the former children's home site, debate continues over the city's outdoor pool, which is older than most and facing upkeep issues.

City of Gahanna

In March, city officials were faced with some angry residents concerned that a Sheetz gas station and restaurant was out-of-place on the property where it was proposed near Morse and Johnstown roads.

The residents, including some from neighboring New Albany, were successful in arguing that the Sheetz was too close to a day care center, two other restaurants and a nearby roundabout.

It was one of two Columbus-area locations where Sheetz has backed out as a result of opposition from upset neighbors and others in the community. The other was three years ago in Worthington Hills, where a Sheetz was proposed next to Hills Market along Route 315.

In April, Gahanna residents filed a lawsuit against Academy Development, which had previously been denied permission to build shops and businesses along 5 acres at the southwest corner of North Hamilton and Beecher roads in the city.

The residents of the 81-lot Academy Ridge Community Association objected because they were to lose a wooded area buffering their properties from busy North Hamilton Road. Their anger peaked when they learned that City Attorney Ray Mularski had entered what residents felt was a "secret agreement" with the developer to allow the developer to move ahead and clear-cutting of the trees began.

Mularski was authorized by city council to represent the city in legal matters and to settle the dispute with Academy Development, which had threatened to file a federal lawsuit over the matter. In July, a Franklin County judge sided with the city of Gahanna over the land dispute in which residents' filed legal action over Mularski's settlement.

"The court concludes that (City Attorney Ray Mularski) had the legal authority to enter into the settlement, plaintiffs are pursuing this action for their own benefit and do not have standing and that the settlement was made in good faith," Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Serrott, wrote June 21 in a 12-page opinion to dismiss the case.

Academy Development had filed plans five years ago for shops and businesses at the southwest corner of North Hamilton and Beecher roads in Gahanna. But not all of the plans were in compliance with the city's zoning code and residents argued that the variances the developer sought weren't appropriate for the 5-acre site.

"Better communication and transparency in office," is what Mularski's challenger, Priya Tamilarasan, said she would like to see. "I think the (residents' lawsuit) could have been resolved with a phone call or a letter to (Academy Ridge) residents or their representatives."

Mularski said he did send letters to the residents and their attorney.

If elected, Tamilarasan, who has a criminal and family law practice and is a South Asian American, said she would be the first woman and person of color to hold the office.

Tamilarasan said she'd like to reform mayor's court, create more diversion programs and review and revamp the city's zoning code while "ensuring that threats of litigation against the city are not fruitful."

Mularski said mayor's court doesn't need to be changed, diversion programs are sufficient and the zoning code is already being reviewed and revamped.

As for lawsuits, Mularski said, "I'm proud to say that in the four years I've been in office that we've never lost one case where I've been part of the decision-making process."

In other races in Gahanna, Steve Browne, an assistant principal at Columbus City Schools' Dominion Middle School, retired U.S. Army and National Guard member, and husband of Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Kim Browne, is challenging incumbent Mayor Laurie A. Jadwin.

For City Council, incumbents Merisa K. Bowers and Nancy R. McGregor will face challengers Betty Collins, Ross A. Goldsmith, Jamille Jones and Jason W. Ruark for three open seats.

City of Bexley

Challengers Danny Hurley and Alex Silverman are running for four open City Council seats against incumbents Matthew Klingler, Troy D. Markham and Jess Saad.

City of Canal Winchester

Incumbent Mayor Mike Ebert is facing challengers Joe Steager and Mike Walker.

Will Bennett, Alec McLaughlin, Richard Moore, Tina L. Welch and incumbents Steve Buskirk and Chuck Milliken are running for four open seats on City Council.

City of Grandview Heights

Residents will vote on whether to participate in an opt-out electric aggregation program intended to help reduce rates.

Incumbent City Council members Ryan Edwards, Rebekah Hatzifotinos and Emily A. Keeler are seeking reelection while challenger Denise Walker is trying to oust one of them and gain a seat.

City of Grove City

Longtime Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage is being challenged by Christine Houk.

For City Council, Jodi L. Burroughs is challenging Aaron C. Schlabach for an at-large seat, and Melissa J. Anderson will face incumbent Roby Schottke for Ward 4.

City of Groveport

Incumbents Shawn M. Cleary and Jean Ann Hilbert are facing John Hougland and Cheryl A. Irving for city council.

City of Hilliard

The debate in Hilliard has pitted a faction that wants multistory apartments throughout the city with those who fear that such growth will burden the roads, schools and diminish the overall character and historic appeal of the city. They point to Upper Arlington's Lane Avenue gateway that has been transformed over the past 10 years with large apartment buildings that one resident called "land yachts."

City Council incumbents Peter Marsh and Cynthia Vermillion are squaring off against challengers Greg Betts, Mike Carney, Emily Cole and JT Ysseldyke for three open seats.

City of New Albany

Incumbents Marlene Brisk and Michael Durik are seeking reelection with Kirk J. Smith trying to win one of the two open city council seats.

City of Obetz

Incumbent Mayor Angela M. Kirk will face challenger Bonnie Wiley.

City of Upper Arlington

Incumbent John J. Kulewicz is seeking reelection while challengers Heidi Munc, Andrej Rotter and Todd Walter are also vying for three open city council seats.

City of Westerville

At a recent candidate forum, City Council candidates agreed that affordable housing would be a topic for years to come. Jeff Washburn described a "business on the bottom, residents on the top" approach to housing in the city's Uptown.

Current Councilman Kenneth L. Wright called "density" a bad word in Westerville housing. "But there's areas where we can build up and not out."

Aaron M. Glasgow, David Grimes, Charles Rutherford, Washburn and Wright are running for three open seats.

City of Whitehall

Residents will be asked to vote on five city charter amendments, including those for auditor qualifications, expenses brought before the board of control and the mayor's powers over expenses and contracts.

Leo Knoblauch is challenging incumbent Tom Potter for city council president.

Village of Brice

Incumbent John Mathys and Lori Runyon are running for mayor.

Village of Minerva Park

Tony Benedetti is challenging incumbent Tiffany Southard for mayor.

Incumbent Mark Brugger is competing with Rani Conger, Tommy Grant, Cathy Paessun nd Daniel Schlichting for two open council seats.

Village of Urbancrest

May Joseph L. Barnes, Sr. is being challenged by Beverly Coleman Stewart.

Alicia R. Skinner, Sabrina West and incumbent V. Nikky Ziglar‐Zimmerman are vying for two open council seats.

Village of Valleyview

Voters will be asked to approve an additional 5-mill levy for operational expenses for five years. It would cost $175 for each $100,000 in appraised value.

Blendon Township

Delena Ciamacco is facing incumbent James Welch for trustee.

Brown Township

Michael B. Helderman, incumbent Pamela A. Sayre and Michelle Stayrook are running for a trustee seat.

Clinton Township

David Clark and Carl Reardon are running for a trustee seat.

Franklin Township

Mike Blevins and Zachary Whitt are running for a trustee seat.

Hamilton Township

Voters are asked to renew a 7-mill fire levy and a new 1.5-mill levy for a total of 8.5 mills, which would cost a total of $238 for each $100,000 of appraised value for five years.

Belinda Anderson and incumbent Gary Armstrong are running for a trustee seat.

Madison Township

Incumbent Bruce Jarvis and Andrew B. Nimely are running for a trustee seat.

Norwich Township

James Thomas Friel and Omar Tarazi are running for fiscal officer.

Les Carrier and Greg Young are running for a township trustee seat with an unexpired term ending in 2025.

Pleasant Township

Donald Goldhardt and incumbent Paula J. Wilkins are running for fiscal officer.

Perry Township

Voters will be asked to renew two 1.5-mill road construction levies, with one starting in 2023 and one in 2024. Each costs $37 for each $100,000 in appraised value.

Prairie Township

Catherine Martinez and incumbent Doug Stormont are running for township trustee. Mike McKay, who was originally on the ballot as a third candidate, has withdrawn.

Sharon Township

Voters are asked to approve a permanent 4.06 mill additional levy for fire protection that costs $142 fore each $100,000 in appraised value.

Truro Township

Toni Kleckley and incumbent Pat Mahaffey are running for township trustee.

Where can I see what is on my ballot in Franklin County?

Voters can see what will be on their ballots in the general election by going to the Franklin County Board of Elections website at https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/Voters/Absentee-Voting.

dnarciso@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Suburban Columbus races driven by growth and development issues