Plain City residential and commercial development was booming in 2023, with Village Planner Derek Hutchinson calling it a “record-breaking” year in a number of ways.
“We had an extremely busy year,” Hutchinson told council Monday night.
In 2023, four larger-scale developments were approved, including housing developments like Darby Station Phases 3 and 4, Madison Meadows II and Maren Reserve. A preliminary plan for commercial development The Spot was also approved.
Between five residential developments – Darby Station, Madison Meadows, Run at Hofbauer, Hamlet on Darby and Maren Reserve – 1,381 residential units are currently underway.
A report from Hutchinson noted that an additional 335 units are “on hold,” although the developments have been approved.
Likewise, he said three more development plans will be submitted in early 2024. Those include applications regarding Beachy Farms, Alcott Development and Fischer Homes.
Aside from more housing, the village’s actual land is expanding.
One annexation from Darby Township was completed in 2023, Hutchinson said, with another filed.
He said three more annexation petitions are preparing for filing in 2024.
Along with residential growth, the village saw its commercial base expand.
Hutchinson said 12 new businesses located in Plain City, while five existing businesses expanded or moved to new locations.
The Planning and Zoning Department issued 574 zoning permits in 2023, up from 369 the year prior.
The total amount in payments collected in 2023 – $2,786,789.92 – was more than five times the amount collected in 2022 – $507,597.88.
Hutchinson noted that the amount is not all profit, as much of the money is considered “pass-through” dollars for things like engineer reviews.
However, the payments collected in 2024 will be affected in that the village will no longer collect water capacity and sewer capacity fees – $394,138.08 and $1,033,876.80, respectively – due to the regionalization of those services and the creation of the Mid-Ohio Water and Sewer District.
Still, other payments collected this year could increase because a number of larger residential developments currently underway, like Madison Meadows, were approved before the village assessed park, sewer, road and safety impact fees.
Hutchinson also highlighted a number of Planning and Zoning Department staff accomplishments.
He noted that the department hired a zoning specialist, Colin Powers, who he said has exceeded all expectations.
Staff members also completed the Economic Development Strategy for the village and launched an Economic Development Policy.
Hutchinson said staff is working to ensure residents and other stakeholders are informed and information is accessible, through initiatives like the redesign of the village website.
Staff members also participate in regular meetings with community partners like the Pleasant Valley Fire District, Jonathan Alder, Darby Township and the City of Dublin.
Nearly a month into 2024, Hutchinson said his department is “on the ground running already,” and he does not expect the pace to slow.
“Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride because it’s going to be another busy year,” he said.
In other business:
– Council unanimously approved a final development plan for The Spot.
The 11.66-acre mixed-use commercial development will be located at the corner of U.S. 42 and Perry Pike.
According to the final development plan, approximately five acres will be planned for “general retail, (including) bar and restaurants” and five acres are planned for “grocery/fresh food market(s), child care facilities (and) medical/dental office space.”
The remaining one acre will allow for the expansion and reconfiguration of the existing Shell gas station, providing for additional pump capacity and improving the entrance/exit from the business onto Perry Pike.
– Council approved a pre-annexation agreement with Paragon Building Group Ltd. regarding approximately 136.95 acres along U.S. 42, adjacent to the Copperfield and Carriage Estates neighborhoods.
The property, commonly known as Beachy Farms, is currently zoned as an Agricultural District in Darby Township.
According to a memo from Village Administrator Haley Lupton, the developers intend to rezone the property to Planned Unit Development (PUD).
The pre-annexation agreement passed with four votes in favor, with Council member Tyler Harriman abstaining because he owns property adjacent to the land in question. Council member Jim Eudaily was absent.
A public hearing for the rezoning of the land will be held on March 11.