By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Plans may be on hold for two issues in Galion, but the Galion Planning Commission assures it’s just a temporary hold.
The commission received proposed changes to the zoning code that would affect permanent outdoor dining. Galion City Council adopted a change to the ordinances that allowed for outdoor trade areas last year, but the Planning Commission received a change to that ordinance that would allow for outdoor dining to be more permanent in nature.
According to Law Director Thomas Palmer, the ordinance – as it stood when adopted last year – would require business owners to bring in their outdoor fixtures every night. This becomes an issue for businesses such as Eighteen-O-Three Taproom, which is required by Ohio Liquor Control to have a dedicated place if the business wishes to have alcohol outdoors.
Eighteen-O-Three co-owner Chris Stone is looking to establish an outdoor dining area where visitors can congregate, but that idea would not be implemented unless the ordinance as it currently stands is changed.
Palmer said much of his proposed changes were based on ordinances in Worthington; he also looked at rules on the books in Dublin and Delaware.
Mayor Tom O’Leary pointed out that the idea of outdoor dining would not only apply to Stone’s Taproom.
“This would apply to anybody who is a permit holder who wanted to go outside,” O’Leary said.
“As it’s written, this is for anyone who has an outdoor dining area,” Palmer said as he expanded upon O’Leary’s statement. “Anyone who has a retail food establishment – even if they don’t serve alcohol . . . as it is currently written. If you want to change it, let me know.”
The Planning Commission tabled the issue in order to review it before next week’s meeting. City Council is also reviewing a separate but related legislation that would allow for alcohol to be consumed outdoors.
The preliminary review of the site and infrastructure plans for the Sleep Inn Hotel were also put on hold until the board could review everything, though that move was not without things getting heated.
“I’ve been over the whole thing; I only found one thing they needed to change,” said Galion building inspector Bob Johnston. “Everything is good to go as far as I’m concerned.”
Though Johnston felt the Planning Commission could move forward in approving the preliminary plans, board member Eric Kent was hesitant to move immediately without getting a chance to review the plans himself.
“I’m not sure how the project or the code is served by dragging this out,” O’Leary argued.
Palmer suggested adopting the plan with the recommended modifications, but he noted that there were still numerous steps that would be pushed back if the Planning Commission chose to wait a few days before making a decision. An application has to be submitted to a code inspector for a final plat once the plans were adopted by the commission. After a few more steps, the Platting Commission would have to meet again to approve the final plat before the city council could accept the public rights of way and easements. The plat would then be recorded at the County Recorder’s Office.
“There is (sic) financing things here,” Palmer said, “It matters, but that’s no reason not to do your job, don’t get me wrong. It is a reason to consider . . . expediting your review.”
“I just think if we’re going to be on this commission we should at least be diligent,” Kent said. “I understand time is money, and I understand you’ve put time in this project. I just want to make sure it’s done according to code.”
“I just think we should move forward on it because these guys have worked hard on it, and I don’t want to keep these people that want to build a hotel hanging,” added Planning Commission chairperson Sharon Baldinger.
The Planning Commission has scheduled a second meeting for 5:15 p.m. Friday to address the hotel’s preliminary plans.
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