Upper Arlington · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Upper Arlington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
EMS protocol changes including non-invasive ventilation
The board will discuss proposed protocol changes, including non-invasive ventilation, which affects how paramedics treat patients in the field. Changes in protocols directly shape the care residents receive before reaching a hospital.
Proposed front-yard swimming pool at 1725 Roxbury Rd
A corner-lot owner wants a 15' x 35' pool and patio in the Chelsea Road front yard, where pools are prohibited by the zoning code. Staff say the variance would create a dangerous precedent and won't support it — but the applicant wants to gauge the board's thinking before deciding whether to keep or sell the property.
Historic demolition and replacement house at 2505 Coventry Rd
A proposed teardown and new-build on Coventry Road gets its informal review now, with the real decision coming November 18. Historic demolition reviews can shape the character of the neighborhood's older housing stock.
Medic 71 purchase and Medic 72 in 2028 budget cycle
The city has purchased a new Medic 71 ambulance, and a Medic 72 replacement is planned for the 2028 budget cycle. These apparatus purchases affect future fire and EMS budgets.
CARES community outreach program
The CARES program provides home visits, smoke detector installs, grab bars and wellness check-ins for residents, particularly seniors. The board will review its latest statistics.
Public Safety Alert
The board will review the latest EMS call volumes and high-acuity incident data for Upper Arlington. These numbers show how emergency medical services are keeping up with demand in the community.
UAFD Lieutenant Examination Protest
A protest was filed concerning the fire division's lieutenant promotional examination, and the Civil Service Commission was scheduled to take it up as new business. The outcome could affect who is eligible for promotion within the fire department.
Residential setback and height variances
The Coventry Road case shows how close quarters in older neighborhoods create conflicts — a 1'-9" encroachment triggered real privacy worries about a new window over a neighbor's patio. A condition removing the window resolved it without denying the project.
Detached garage height precedents
A North Devon Road family won approval for a 22-foot-10-inch garage with a home office and future golf simulator, after trimming its size and coverage. The board liked the landscaping, screening, and rain barrels offsetting extra stormwater runoff.
Unpermitted structures and uses
A builder's four-foot dimensional error pushed a planned covered patio into the side-yard setback, leaving the owners seeking two variances. Staff recommended denial for lack of hardship, and the board gave the family a chance to redesign instead of likely denying the request.
Bob Crane Community Center Public Art
Arts on Arlington drew 1,700 attendees (up 41%), Arts on the Block drew 700, and the Labor Day Arts Festival is coming September 7 at Northam Park. Residents also asked for more food options and broader alcohol availability at future events.
2026 Tax Levies Certified
Council certified the county-determined tax rates and levies for the year — routine annual budget housekeeping that sets the property tax rates residents will pay.
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.
Lane Avenue Corridor Parking Study
Two speakers said patrons of existing nearby businesses already park on neighborhood streets, and doubted any promises about the new venue's parking can be enforced. The city cited past efforts with Littleton's Market and Fox in the Snow and plans for a new public lot.
Flock License Plate Reader Surveillance and Ordinance 38-2026
The city's 20-camera Flock network has drawn intense resident opposition over outside-agency access, data security, and privacy. A proposed ordinance would create tiered search approvals, with judicial review for searches older than nine days. Council takes it up again October 12 with crime-data analysis.
Unpermitted above-ground pool at 3272 Mountview Road
A family installed a 5-foot above-ground pool without permits for their autistic son's swim therapy, running into a decades-old ban on pools taller than two feet. The board put off a decision to let the family explore burying or relocating the pool — and the case could test how the city handles special-needs exceptions.
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.
Police and Fire Pension Levy on November Ballot
Voters will decide this fall on a renewal levy with an increase dedicated to the police and fire pension fund — a direct line item on future tax bills.
City cybersecurity and IT modernization
IT is hardening the city against cyberattacks under the HB 96 mandate — multifactor authentication, immutable backups, penetration testing, and disaster recovery via the State of Ohio Computer Center — plus replacing aging phones, wireless, and camera systems.
Fire Division operations and Station 71 renovation
The fire division handled 4,814 runs in 2025 with call volume up 6% this year. A $13 million Station 71 renovation is planned for 2028 to fix contamination-zone separation and aging infrastructure, and a Citizens Fire Academy launches spring 2027.
August 12 Storm Response and Debris Cleanup
A supplemental budget move covers storm debris cleanup, with about $75,000 in new money for replacement trees and stump grinding; the emergency declaration has ended.
E-Mobility Device Registration and Safety Program
The near-final e-bike/scooter ordinance now only requires registration for riders without a driver's license, mandates helmets under 18, sets a 10 mph sidewalk cap, and requires all riders to be listed on a device's registration. Final vote October 5.