GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – Gahanna has taken a step toward annexing eight acres along U.S. Route 62, paving the way for a proposed mixed-use development to take over the space. 

Last week, Gahanna City Council unanimously approved a pre-annexation agreement to bring 4722 and 4736 E. Johnstown Road – two adjacent properties currently the site of Growing Solutions Garden Center – into its city limits from Jefferson Township. 

The agreement between the city, property owners and Columbus-based Trivium Development is paving the way for the company to construct a mixed-use development featuring commercial and multifamily residential buildings.

The pre-annexation agreement states the properties could benefit from some of Gahanna’s services, including its police. The ordinance approving the agreement states the city believes the potential development aligns with its goals for the area and supports economic development.

Council members expressed that the pre-annexation agreement is simply a way for the developer and Gahanna to explore the potential development and see if the city would be able to provide services to the site. The developer will have to go through further legal processes, including getting approval from city council again and also county commissioners, before the annexation is formally adopted.

“This is the first step in a multi-step process,” Council President Merisa Bowers said at the May 5 meeting. “There will be ample opportunity for community engagement, feedback, and for us to continue to hear from residents about their thoughts.” 

For the development to come to fruition, Trivium also needs to have the site zoned to a “general commercial” district, which allows for office and retail uses, as well as conditional residential use. 

When the developer applies for the zoning change, it will provide more specific details about the planned development, such as its proposed uses, building density, economic impacts, and traffic generation.