Schottenstein Trustees have filed a new rezoning request with the village of Groveport regarding plans to develop 287 acres located east of the intersection of Rohr and Pontius roads.
Village Administrator Jon Crusey told Groveport Village Council at its Jan. 28 meeting that the Schottenstein Trustees’ plan calls for the construction of a 1.4 million square foot warehouse/distribution center near the intersection of Rohr and Pontius roads. As part of the plan, a historic property, located at the former Sharp’s Landing site near the intersection, would be placed in reserve until discussions are held regarding how to handle that part of the property. Sometime in the future a 1.2 million square foot warehouse could be built nearby sometime in the future east of Little Walnut Creek.
Additionally, the plan indicates an extensive "no build zone" that is proposed to run along the frontage on the east side of Rohr Road extending from just east of Greenhill Drive to where Rohr Road turns to the west. Also, about 105 acres along Little Walnut Creek would be held as a conservation area.
The rezoning request will be discussed at the village’s March 3 planning and zoning meeting at 6 p.m. in the municipal building at 655 Blacklick St.
Background
Last year, Schottenstein Trustees presented plans to construct two office/warehouse buildings fronting Pontius Road – one building around 571,000 square feet and the other around 975,000 square feet.
However, that 2007 plan faced vehement opposition from residents in the nearby Newport subdivision. Residents felt the development would adversely impact the quality of life of the residents with noise, litter, and loss of trees. They stated potential problems the proposed warehouse development could cause included: increased traffic, safety issues, light pollution, visual pollution, environmental concerns, drainage issues, air pollution, an adverse impact on Little Walnut Creek, noise pollution, and ground water problems.
In a letter presented to council at its Feb. 26, 2007 meeting, attorney Michael Shannon informed village officials that his client, Schottenstein Trustees, decided to withdraw their request to rezone the property.
The letter indicated the withdrawal came about, not because the Groveport Planning and Zoning Commission did not recommend the rezoning to council, but because the commission "…failed to take any formal action to modify our proposed planned industrial park to include numerous concessions made to the commission in our seven months of ongoing negotiations."
Among the developer’s concessions last year were: the donation of 17 acres of park land along Rohr Road; and the commitment for preservation and possible relocation of two historic structures on the property.
Though the application was withdrawn, the letter went on to note Schottenstein Trustees’ "intent to refile a new application at a later date…," which it has now done.
