Upper Arlington · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Upper Arlington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Gateway Development Easement Vacation
The old Lane Avenue pump station easement is being vacated because a new sanitary sewer made the lift station unnecessary — a contractual obligation that supports the Gateway project.
2225 Yorkshire Road garage and driveway coverage
A corner-lot owner wants a fourth street-facing garage bay and a driveway extension pushing front-yard coverage from 34.7% to about 42.5% along Oxford Road. The board flagged drainage, tree loss, and tight street parking as concerns.
Liquor permit transfer — Hammer & Nails
No objections to transferring D-3 and D-1 liquor permits to the new owner of the Hammer & Nails grooming shop on Lane Avenue.
Liquor Permit Transfer at 1674 W. Lane Avenue
The D-3 and D-1 liquor permits at a Lane Avenue business would move from Fade by R10, LLC to the new Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys. Council raised no objections.
Mid-year 2026 budget amendment
Ordinance No. 31-2026 would adjust 2026 appropriations and the employee strength table, tweaking the budget partway through the year.
Perry Township Fire and EMS Contract Amendment
A housekeeping amendment adds 21 homes in the Haven development to the 1999 fire/EMS contract with minimal cost impact. All parties plan a full contract rewrite by end of 2026.
Commission bylaws amendment on unexcused absences
The commission changed how it counts unexcused absences — swapping a calendar-year window for a rolling 12-month one — which affects when a member's seat can be declared vacant.
Modern renovation design standards variance at 2826 Zollinger Road
A homeowner's modern renovation with skewed rooflines didn't fit the city's Residential Design Standards, and her garage addition encroaches into the side setback. The board agreed the design follows a growing modern trend in the city and that re-siding the whole house would blend it in.
SWACO yard waste composting lease renewed
The city keeps its Roberts Road yard waste composting site running under a new SWACO lease — good news for anyone relying on curbside yard waste service.
Code Enforcement Annual Update
303 cases opened in 2025 plus 95 grass-and-weed complaints; trash, hoarding, driveways and unpermitted work led the list. Staff aim for a two-year proactive inspection cycle citywide now that a second officer has been hired.
Summer Arts Events: Arts on Arlington and Arts on the Block
Two free community events are coming this summer. Arts on the Block will skip food trucks in favor of Kingsdale restaurants like Old Bag of Nails, and staff will study expanding alcohol sales to the full event footprint.
Historic home addition variances at Tremont and Coventry
Owners of a 1925 contributing historic home wanted to add a two-story addition without knocking the house down. The board OK'd the setback relief with screening trees to protect the north neighbor.
Garage bay width variance on Asbury Drive
A homeowner's third garage bay came up 15 inches short of the side yard setback; the board allowed it so the bay could reach a standard 12-foot width. Thirteen of 26 homes on the block already have three-car garages.
April 2026 Financial Report
City finances look steady, but Franklin County is two to three months behind sending property-tax and utility-related disbursements, creating some temporary negative utility fund balances. Income tax revenue is running well ahead of projections thanks to one large withholding payment.
HR retention schedule project on hold
The overhaul of HR's record retention schedule is paused after the HR Director's departure; it'll pick back up once the department is fully staffed.
World Cities Summit participation questioned
Council was set to authorize sending the mayor to the 2026 World Cities Summit at no cost to the city, but members pressed for clarity on who funds and backs the summit before approving. Postponed one week.
Loss of Reading Garden Stage at Labor Day Arts Festival
The Tremont Library won't be available during this year's festival, so the Reading Garden Stage — a familiar feature — will disappear unless staff find an alternative spot within the event footprint.