6-2 Canal Winchester

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June 2, 2011

Strayer: City needs to codify zoning rules By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Contributor Canal Winchester development director Chris Strayer said last week he recommends the city make changes to its zoning code to increase the ability to withstand any lawsuits from private landowners who challenge city building decisions.

Strayer spoke May 24 at the second in a series of public workshops to discuss historic downtown zoning and preservation areas. The meeting drew only light attendance. The first meeting was held April 26; a third meeting will be held June 28. Strayer said the city should adopt a code now, rather than wait for a future lawsuit to decide the balance of choice

between the landowner and the city. “My recommendation is, I do believe we need some kind of architectural district inside our zoning code, just to give us just to give us a little bit of defense,” he said. “I think the last thing we want to do is leave ourselves wide open for John Q Public to come in, apply for a new home, and then sue us because we don’t have anything in our code. That’s

what we don’t want to do.” Unlike other communities, Canal Winchester doesn’t have “actual codified ordinances for those downtown zoning districts,” Strayer said. “What we have right now is preservation guidelines, which is our design document. But it is not actually codified,” he said. “They’re not part of the code. If we go through the zoning code,

it’s not in there. It’s a supplementary document to the zoning code.” Unless the legislative body of the local government adopts the design standards with the force of law, any denial of a building project by the city is more susceptible to being overturned in court, Strayer said. See STRAYER, page A3

City asked for comment on SWACO proposal By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Contributor The solid waste plan for the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is undergoing a five-year review, and Canal Winchester has been invited to comment on it. “The plan is The plan deals something they submit to Ohio with how solid waste EPA and have will be managed in the Ohio EPA apcounty. Each member prove and review it,” said community has the Matt Peoples, right to vote. But as I Canal Winchesunderstand it, the ter’s public works director. (SWACO) board of di“Part of their rectors can do as approval process it wishes. is to have affected commuNANISA OSBORN nities, member —Finance director communities, support the document or at least provide input to it. “It’s like a hearing process, like we might do with zoning,” he said. “They’re soliciting comments on the plan.” Finance director Nanisa Osborn said the SWACO plan must be submitted by August, and the city has been asked to adopt a resolution in support of it. “The plan deals with how solid waste will be managed in the county,” Osborn said. “Each member community has the right to vote. But as I understand it, the (SWACO) board of directors can do as it wishes. It does not have to follow the community’s wishes.” SWACO spokesman John Remy said the district is required to obtain approval of the draft plan from 60 percent of the population of the district, as represented by the member communities; the largest community in the district, which is Columbus; and the county commissioners. Canal Winchester is one of 41 member jurisdictions. “Each community in the district receives this, a

Photos by Paul Vernon/ThisWeek

(Above) All 15 of the Canal Winchester High School Class of 2011 valedictorians hold letters that spell out Canal Winchester following their speeches during the schools graduation ceremony May 29. (Below) Graduate Olivia Morris, left, gets help with her cap from fellow graduate Lauren Tolman before the start of the ceremony.

15 seniors named CWHS valedictorians By CHRIS BOURNEA ThisWeek Contributor Canal Winchester High School named 15 valedictorians during the school’s Senior Honors Reception on May 24. The valedictorians led the Canal Winchester High School Class of 2011 through graduation ceremonies Sunday in the high school’s gymnasium. “We have great kids,” said principal Lynn Landis. “Great kids go on to do great things.” The valedictorians are: • Nathan Alspach, son of Jay and Sherri Alspach, plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in aerospace engineering. He is a member of National Honor Society, the robotics team, engineering club and the Boy Scouts. • Ashton Bishop, son of Steve

Bishop and Angela Hagler, plans to attend Ohio State and major in English and music education. He is a member of the CHWS National Honor Society and the Audition Choir at school.

• Micah Cobb, son of Steve and Maureen Cobb, plans to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and major in engineering. He is a Columbus Dispatch Scholar Athlete who participated in track

and is also a National Honor Society member. • Megan Emmons, daughter of James and Paula Emmons, plans to attend Ohio State and major in early childhood development and special education. She is a National Honor Society member, the bass drum section leader of the CWHS Marching Band, captain of the Indianetts school dance team and the reigning Miss Canal Winchester. • Lauren Fisher, daughter of Tammy Fisher, plans to attend Otterbein University and major in math. She is a member of National Honor Society and the Art Club and is a Spanish tutor. • Samantha Hong, daughter of Jodi Waterman and David Hong, plans to attend Ohio State and major in engineering. She received an AP See 15 SENIORS, page A2

See CITY, page A3

Old Bag of Nails expands to Pickerington with new pub By NATE ELLIS ThisWeek Community Newspapers

The central Ohio eating and drinking staple, Old Bag of Nails, expanded to Pickerington this week with the opening of a 5,400-square-foot restaurant and pub.

Since 1996, Mike Purdum has been building his Old Bag of Nails brand throughout central Ohio. On May 31, he ventured into Fairfield County when he opened his 15th restaurant and pub at 797 Hill Road North. “We’ve been looking at Pickerington for quite some time,” Pur-

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dum said. “Pickerington is a great community and we’ve always wanted to be there.” The new business spans two commercial spaces. One formerly housed the Green Leaf Grille and Beef O’Brady’s, but it also stretches into the site of the former Harvest Bread Co. The Pick-

M

erington operation, Purdum said, is one of the largest Old Bag of Nails restaurants to date. “We’ve got a 21-year lease signed, so we will be there for quite some time,” he said. “When we make a commitment, it’s for the long haul.” In addition to wanting to be in

emorial Day was not conceived to be the kickoff to summer activities or as a reason to schedule a three-day weekend. It was established to recognize the nation’s military veterans who died while fighting for their country. In keeping with efforts to recognize and honor the sacrifices and service of military veterans, ThisWeek Community Media is launching Honoring Heroes, a continuing series through which we will share the stories and remembrances from and about local men and women who are either on active duty or retired from service. As part of covering their beats, our reporters often hear about and write about veterans leaving for overseas or com-

Pickerington, Purdum said he hopes to draw customers from Canal Winchester and Lancaster. The Pickerington Old Bag of Nails will open at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon on Sundays. Its kitchen will be open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11

p.m. on weekends. Depending on business, Purdum said, the bar — which will feature 22 beers on tap — could stay open until 2 a.m. The restaurant and pub also will have 18 televisions and four restSee OLD BAG, page A3

ing home at the end of a tour of duty. We’ve covered funeral services of those who have sacrificed their lives. We’ve written about soldiers who arrive at their homes or their children’s schools to unexpectedly surprise their delighted families. We know many more stories are out there, waiting to be told. We want to tell them. And we need your help. If you have a story idea about a friend, family member or colleague, let us know by emailing editorial@thisweeknews.com, with the subject line, “Honoring Heroes.” Honoring Heroes isn’t just a ThisWeek Community Media project: It’s about sharing history.

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