Delaware · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Houk Road/Greenlawn Drive PUD amendment
About 18 acres at the northwest corner of Houk Road and Greenlawn Drive could see its PUD 25-7 zoning amended, shaping what gets built near that intersection. The commission's vote is only a recommendation — City Council decides.
Performance Impact Arena plan modification
The Ohio AAA Blue Jackets want a minor change to the approved plan for their Performance Impact Arena at Sawmill Parkway and US 42. Unlike the other items, the commission's decision here is final.
Four Seasons at Addison Farms Traffic Calming Petition
About 250 senior households say Heritage Boulevard has become a dangerous high-speed cut-through splitting their 55+ community, and they want radar signs, pedestrian refuge islands, and raised crosswalks. They also object to a youth playground and connector path routed into their senior neighborhood.
Fire Station 305 Construction
Chief Pyle laid out Fire/EMS capital needs, headlined by a ~$2.25 million ladder truck to replace the trouble-prone 2012 model, plus AEDs, a deferred hazmat trailer, and outfitting the new Station 305. The ladder truck has a 32-48 month delivery window, so planning ahead matters.
Pennsylvania Ave./Euclid Ave. All-Way Stop
Six crashes in twelve months and tough school-hour pedestrian crossings at Pennsylvania and Euclid prompted an interim four-way stop, possibly installed before the end of the year. A mini roundabout may be considered long-term.
Trailhead Acquisitions Bowtown Road Rezoning
Two related Bowtown Road cases — a 252-unit apartment rezone and a 75-lot townhome plat — signal continued residential growth on the city's east side. Commissioners raised traffic concerns about emergency-only access off Bowtown.
2027 City Budget Appropriations
The ~$209 million 2027 budget is on its way through readings, with Finance Committee review now authorized and hearings November 9 and 23.
Nutter Farm Sunbury Road Rezoning
A resident warned the GTZ commercial project off Sunbury Road has only one way in and out, and the Bowtown Road emergency access could be blocked by snow or a guardrail. Council indicated access details get finalized at the development-plan stage.
Olentangy Schools Impact Fee Agreement
Delaware has 1,273 unbuilt single-family homes and 1,364 unbuilt multifamily units already approved, plus 3,911 zoned-but-unplanned units. Most unbuilt multifamily is in the Delaware school district, which matters for future enrollment and school capacity.
Northwood TIF Incentive Districts
The final 251-home phase of Northwood Sub-Area B is headed to City Council. Conditions require the Bixby Parkway extension before permits, and no construction traffic through Kensington. Most lots will be 42 or 52 feet wide.
Curtis Street industrial development incentives (Guild)
Fed One Dublin wants 63 acres rezoned for speculative industrial development in the city's Southwest Focus Area. The commission kept raw-materials manufacturing as a conditional use, so residents will still get a public review before such operations land there.
EMS Billing Services Transition
Delaware County is ending its decades-long EMS reimbursement, leaving a roughly $1.1 million hole in the fire/EMS fund. Staff pitched an EMS billing program — likely insurance-only for residents, meaning no out-of-pocket bills — with a vendor recommendation due November 9.
Price Farms II annexation services
Council formally brought nearly 285 acres into the city across two annexations. This sets the stage for future development and city services on those properties.
Flats at Boulder Park Development Plan
252 apartments in seven three-story buildings near the YMCA won approval 4-2, with dissent focused on density and traffic on Houk Road and Ridge Rock Drive.
Sakata delegation visit and budget request
Delaware's sister city Sakata, Japan sends student videos annually and a visit in 2027 is on the table. The board was scheduled to discuss timing and who would lead the planning.
City Manager Leadership Transition
Council decided not to renew City Manager Paul Brake's contract, meaning the city will need new leadership at the top. Members emphasized the decision came after extensive private deliberation and praised Brake's service. The current contract runs through the end of its term, so a transition is ahead rather than immediate.
ADA Policy and Transition Plan adopted
The city's complaint-driven sidewalk repair program has fixed nearly 25,000 square feet of sidewalk in two years, mostly damage from street trees, and will grow to $225,000 across three cycles in 2027 to reduce trip-and-fall injuries.
East Central Avenue reconstruction grant application
One more round of disruptions: on October 8 contractors will lift steel girders off the temporary railroad bridge, pausing traffic five minutes at a time in both directions.
Police officer hiring pipeline
Delaware police are at 58 sworn officers against an authorized strength of 63, with five openings. City Council added three positions in this year's budget, so the department is close to its pre-2026 strength and continues hiring from the certified list.
Fire lieutenant promotions and new Station 305
Seven new firefighters were added to the department, six tied to the new fire station opening next year. Three lieutenant promotions and three replacement hires are still coming later this year.
City Manager transition
City Manager Paul Brake is stepping away from active duties after Oct. 9 under a mutual exit agreement, keeping pay and benefits through year-end while staying reachable for transition questions. Assistant City Manager Andy Beare runs the city in the meantime.
Downtown Hotel and Parking Improvements
The 1950s-era parking meters — only about half of which work — will be replaced with 34 kiosks accepting cards, coins, cash and phone payments. The goal is managing limited downtown spaces and turnover, not profit, but future conversations about which parking should be paid are coming.
Sawmill Parkway TIF districts
Addison Sawmill pays $627,000-plus toward future US 42/Sawmill Parkway improvements and gets about $56,000 reimbursed for installing a bigger water line the city needs for future growth.
Industrial tax abatements (CRA agreements)
Three abatement requests came before council — Snappy's Automotive, Howald Properties, and the FedOne spec building. Members are increasingly pushing back on abatements that don't create many jobs, even as staff argues the city is running out of industrial space.
2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan
The city's five-to-seven-year wish list for roads, buildings, parks and equipment. This year it's organized by neighborhood instead of department, and pairs full street repaving with waterline replacement so residents get finished streets in one shot instead of piecemeal work.
Utilities capital program — $126.8 million over five years
Residents near Lake Street said basements flood when an aging storm sewer backs up and lights flicker as new apartments come online. Staff said utilities are sized for growth and redevelopment must meet modern stormwater standards, but promised to loop in the utilities department.
Boutique hotel denied in residential transition zone
A developer wants to convert the former OWU fraternity house at 163 North Franklin Street into a nine-room boutique hotel. Neighbors turned out in force, mostly worried about traffic, parking, noise, safety and what happens if the property sells. The commission wants answers on staffing and operations before deciding on September 2.
Ex Flax east side redevelopment (up to 66 units)
A 1.75-acre infill site near Lake and Flax Streets is headed to city council for rezoning to allow up to 66 apartments and townhomes, extending the Mill on Flax. Neighbors worry about traffic on already-congested Lake Street, parking, aging storm sewers that have flooded basements, and electric grid strain.
Flock surveillance cameras
The city's 20-year-old camera system is end-of-life and can't retain footage. IT wants to grow from ~70 to ~110 cameras with 30-day retention, saving about $300,000 by having city crews do the installation.
Lead and copper rule compliance
New federal rules kick in hard in 2027: service line replacement plans are due, and from 2028 the city must begin replacing lead or galvanized lines over the next ten years. Inventory is posted on the city website.
Fleet maintenance facility expansion
The 75-year-old public works building can't fit the city's growing fleet — fire trucks and refuse trucks can't be serviced properly. A ~$1.95 million expansion is proposed, with design pushed to 2028 while the city studies bigger facilities/land questions.
Airport fuel system failure and above-ground storage project
The airport's 30-year-old underground fuel tanks are at the end of their useful life — a 2021 fuel contamination incident already disrupted service. A $1.3 million first phase would build an above-ground fuel farm, with the state asked to fund $750,000; without the grant, the city may face footing the whole bill.
Justice Center space and condition
The police headquarters turns 34 in November and is full — no desk space left, an expanded-to-its-limit property room, and a flood-prone basement. Chief Moore warned the city needs to decide soon whether to build new, remodel, or relocate, noting a new station would take four to six years.
E-Bike and Golf Cart Rules and Enforcement
New rules matching state law define three e-bike classes, add helmets for class 3 riders, ban e-bikes from natural surface trails, and repeal the decades-old bike licensing requirement. Enforcement will lean on education and complaint-driven stops.
Emergency Management Plan and City-County Coordination
Delaware County's EMA director explained how the county supports the city during disasters — tornadoes, flooding, hazmat spills, and big events like the Little Brown Jug. The city handles incidents first; the county steps in when local resources are overwhelmed. Residents are urged to get insurance, sign up for Delco Alerts, and consider a NOAA weather radio.
Strategic Plan Priorities for 2026-2027
Council picked its top priorities for the next phase of the strategic plan — development incentives, transparency, workforce housing, the hotel, school relationships, trails, and riverfront access. These will guide where city money and staff time go.
Stormwater flooding after '100-year' storms
After repeated flooding — three '100-year' storms in six years — a council member demanded to know the city's plan to protect flooded basements downtown. Staff acknowledged larger pipes won't help if rivers can't absorb the runoff and promised a more active planning dialogue.
Water system cybersecurity
Following national news of cyberattacks on public water systems, the city confirmed its water system isn't directly connected to the internet and is adding multi-factor authentication even to alarm systems.
Lithium-ion battery fires in refuse trucks
Batteries tossed in the trash have caused three fires in city refuse vehicles, including one inside the refuse building. A $500,000 truck takes 3-4 years to replace, so the city is putting warning decals on six vehicles and pointing residents to battery drop-off options through DKMM.
Residential growth in Boulder Farms and Terra Alta
A 200-acre development near Troy Road could add hundreds of homes over a 10-12 year buildout, with a school site donated and trail connections to Smith Park and Gallant Woods. Residents worry about more traffic and lost woodland.
Airport taxi lane paving grant
Commissioner Stevenson noted the Delaware County Airport gets zero funding from the county, even as the county spends millions elsewhere. He asked for project figures and said he'd advocate with the county for help.
Lake Street No Parking zone
The city wants to stripe a southbound left turn lane into the Flats at Sugar Run development, which means eliminating on-street parking in front of eight homes on the west side of Lake Street. Residents say the parking is their safety buffer for turning into driveways on a busy US 42; staff say the spaces are barely used and every home has off-street parking. The committee is now proposing a one-year delay before final striping.
TIF-funded road improvements (roundabout, Kroger roads, ice arena roads)
Council authorized grant chasing for the Glenn Parkway extension, East Central Avenue phase two, and long-range US 42 widening, plus land buys so the Kroger-funded roundabout can start in June.
175-acre expansion of MX-PUD 26-2 west of Troy Road
Corridor Company wants to expand its planned development by 175 acres west of Troy Road, adding homes, a future school site, and neighborhood-scale commercial along a Houk Road extension. Two longtime Hills Miller Road residents worry about losing their rural way of life, livestock compatibility, and possible businesses near their homes. Development will be phased slowly due to sewer capacity limits.
Ross Street splash pad concerns
A lifelong resident told council the splash pad opened before it was finished and that her neighborhood has historically gotten less investment in parks.
Olentangy fifth high school annexation
Olentangy Schools cleared a key hurdle for High School #5 on 139.66 acres, with 1,800 students targeted, two Bunty Station entrances, and about 1,200 parking spaces. Unlit tennis courts and dark practice fields near homes were commitments to neighbors.
McNett Meadows townhome development (210 units)
Maronda Homes got the green light for 210 two- and three-unit owner-occupied townhomes with a clubhouse, pool, and paths on 44 acres off Peach Blow Road in the city's far southeast corner. It heads to City Council for a June 22 public hearing. There was a lively discussion about which roads stay public versus private and who plows them.
PPG Industries $280 million expansion and tax abatement
PPG will build a 120,000-square-foot expansion at 760 Pittsburgh Drive with a 15-year, 100% property tax abatement and school compensation agreements — about 100 new jobs and 450 retained.
Coglands Crossing multifamily rezone
The never-developed big-box portion of Coughlin's Crossing would become up to 450 apartments, with the historic barn and house dedicated to the Delaware County Historical Society and strict design standards kept from the 2016 plan. City Council makes the final call after a May 11 public hearing.