City News & Events

City Launches New Zoning Search Tool for Greater Accessibility

The City of Gahanna's Geographic Information System (GIS) division has recently launched a new zoning address tool. The tool is designed to help citizens, developers, planners or anyone interested in finding zoning classifications and codes within the city.

"The goal of the this platform is to get zoning code to the people that need it, as easy as possible and make it accessible 24 hours a day," said Jaclyn Meade, GIS Technician, City of Gahanna.

The link is located on the GIS page and Planning & Zoning page of the City's website. To access other maps or viewers, click here. For additional information about the zoning finder, contact the GIS Division at 614.342.4076

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Reminder: Gypsy Moth Aerial Treatments to Begin Mid-June in Gahanna

The aerial gypsy moth mating disruption treatments in Gahanna are scheduled to begin in the next few weeks. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service/Forest Health Protection/Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Program, will be conducting the treatment in the areas outlined in the map.

Treatments will occur between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Signs will be posted around the treatment areas by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the start of treatments. A pre-recorded message will also be available to update citizens on treatment areas for the next day. Citizens may call 614.387.0907 or 1.800.282.1955 ext. 37, after 5:00 p.m. each day to obtain future treatment schedules.

For more information about the gypsy moth and ODA Gypsy Moth Management Program contact the office of Ohio Department of Agriculture at 614.728.6400 or click here.

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Summer is in Full Swing in Gahanna!

Don't let summer pass you by! Get outside this summer with Gahanna Parks & Recreation. Check out the 2014 Summer Dreaming Fun Guide for details.

Get started at a local park featuring catch and release ponds, play structures, nature trails and more. Be sure to check out the Story Trail on the nature trail at Friendship Park. This year's book, Little Red Riding Robin, was written and illustrated by students at Gahanna Lincoln High School. The story is considered a fractured fairy tale, or a story that uses common fairy tales and then changes the characters, the setting, points of view or the plot.

It's still at great time to purchase a pool or golf membership to enjoy throughout the summer! Take advantage of free event admission into the pools with your membership. Pool events include Ice Cream Nights every Tuesday at Hunters Ridge Pool, Hot Dog Nights every Thursday at Gahanna Swimming Pool and Dive-In Movies on July 18 and August 8. To purchase a pool membership online, click here.

Are you heading to Creekside Plaza for dinner? Enjoy a paddle boat ride on the Big Walnut Creek for just $5 for a 30 minute ride on the water. Creekside Live is back this season beginning June 13 with The Yeah Babies and The Reaganomics. Concerts are the second and fourth Fridays through August. This concert series is free and made possible by the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation, Strathmore Development Co., Yuengling, Gahanna Rotary, Funtrail Vehicle Accessories and Lew Griffin Insurance Group. Log on to www.creeksidelive.com for more details.

The Gahanna Municipal Golf Course is a great place to play a quick round of 9-holes, but it's also a fun place for Glow Golf! Enjoy golfing under the stars with glow in the dark golf balls and other glow swag. Glow golf is a 4 player, best ball scramble that is fun for golfers of all abilities. Upcoming Glow Golf dates are June 13, July 11, August 8, September 5 and October 10. Call the Golf Course at 614.342.4270 for details and to register.

Looking for more? Be sure to check out our shelter rentals, summer camp opportunities, Yoga for Kids, herb walks, herb drying and more in the 2014 Summer Gateway program guide available here.

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Share Your 'Best Hometown' Photo of Gahanna!

Photo submitted by Austin Lewis

The City of Gahanna and the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau (GCVB) is currently accepting photo submissions for the Spring/Summer edition of the

'2014 Best Hometown' photo contest. The deadline for photo submissions is Saturday, July 5, 2014.

To submit your entry, upload your photo to our Facebook wall or tag us in it, with the caption "2014 Best Hometown." Contest is limited to one entry per person. A panel of judges will review submissions and the top photos will be selected.

Winners will be announced via Facebook on Monday, July 12, 2014.

For more information, including contest rules click here.

Gahanna in the News

Gahanna Leaders Mull Comprehensive Plan to Guide City's Future

Original Story by Marla K. Kuhlman, ThisWeek Community News

Gahanna officials are considering development of a comprehensive plan to guide the future.

During a May 27 committee meeting, council members heard a presentation from Tony Slanec, director of planning and urban design at OHM Advisors, an integrated engineering, architecture and planning firm.

Slanec said his company probably has done a plan in every central Ohio city, with the Hilliard comprehensive plan being the most aggressive planning exercise he has ever done.

What he prescribes for the Gahanna is what he calls a comprehensive plan on a diet.

After the city would establish a comprehensive plan, he said, objectives would be applied.

"Focus your limited resources to make sure it has the largest return on investment you can have," Slanec said.

He said a comprehensive plan could be expensive because it's all encompassing.

"There are other strategic plans you can do without it being adopted," he said.

"Comprehensive plans are always adopted. It's a plan for the future. It's prioritizing what the heck we're doing, giving guidance to land owners and developers."

Mayor Becky Stinchcomb said Gahanna is built out.

"We've spent money on lots of plans," she said. "We have area plans; some are outdated. When you talk about a comprehensive plan, how does it look for a mature city?"

Slanec said the focus has to be on the whole.

"We need to look at it through an economic lens," he said. "Where do we prioritize? One of the things will be density. You need to reach out to residents/voters. Where do they tap out? There's some old guard that doesn't want to see development. Growth is coming.

"Each community has some neat things you could leverage from. When you look at Gahanna, it has a lot to offer."

Click here to read the full story.

Community News

Coffee with Council

June 18, 2014

Gahanna City Council members invite you to join them for a public input meeting. The next "Council with Coffee" meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Donatos (1391 E. Johnstown Road).

To view upcoming meeting dates and past meeting notes, click here. For more information contact the Council Clerk office at 614.342.4090.

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16th Annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Fest

June 20 -22, 2014

The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival has something for everyone this year, from toe-tapping music featuring 52 signature bands, mouth watering cuisine, artisan crafts, activities and rides!

This year the Donatos Family Fun Zone features many free kids' activities, crafts and games featuring Kya's Krusade, Ohio Origami, Young Chef's Academy, Piano Lessons in your Home, COSI and Island Petting Zoo, plus I-9 Sports. Saturday afternoon will feature a Fashion Show, "Children's fashion on a dime" by ROF Events Founder Shina Jamison, featuring designers ELLA PRICE and Anic Productions by Amber Toles. Models provided by MTM Model and talent management as well John Casablanca.

While there, stop by Musical Discovery Zone to enjoy a free, hands-on blues and jazz musical learning experience where kids can beat bongos, blow horns, twinkle keyboards, make their own musical instrument and more. Musicians from the Columbus Jazz Arts Group and the Columbus Blues Alliance provide enthusiasm and present engaging opportunities for attendees to discover the amazing world of rhythm and melody. Location: South of Granville Street near the Veteran's Memorial Hours of Operation: Saturday: noon - 5 p.m. and Sunday: noon -4 p.m. Visitors do not have to pay admission to the Festival to enjoy the activities in the Donatos Family Fun Zone.

Amusement rides are also available throughout the weekend at VFW Park (south of Granville St.). Wristbands are available for purchase in the amusement area. Ride hours: Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-11p.m.; Sunday, 12 - 6 p.m. Cost: Friday: Ride All Day wristband: $15; Saturday: Ride All Day wristband: $18; Sunday: Ride All Day wristband: $15 ... OR $1.00 per individual tickets (most rides typically require 1 to 3 tickets)

New this year: Take a spin in a giant Hamster Ball!! Located in the Donatos Family Fun Zone (VFW Park, south of Granville St.)--cost is $3 per turn (or 2 turns for $5). Available Saturday and Sunday. Must be at least 3 years old. Adults must weigh no more than 250 lbs. **This is a separate charge from the amusement ride wrist band fee (not included in that cost).

For more information, contact the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau at 614.418.9114 or log on to www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com.

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The Golf Depot & Huntington Present 3rd Annual Boom Fest

July 3, 2014

The Golf Depot, along with Huntington present the 3rd Annual Boom Fest on Thursday, July 3rd at The Golf Depot (789 Science Blvd). Attendees will be able to view 3 firework displays: Gahanna, Whitehall and Red, White & Boom all from one location. Experience an evening of fireworks, music and much more!

For more details about Boom Fest contact The Golf Depot at 614.861.8200 or visit depotgolfcenter.com.
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Gahanna Lions Club Host Annual 4th of July Parade

Friday, July 4, 2014

Join friends and neighbors as we celebrate Independence Day, Friday, July 4th! Bring the whole family, and don't forget to pack your folding chairs, blankets, and a picnic basket to enjoy this annual event. The parade will start off at 10:30 a.m. from the Gahanna Lincoln High School parking lot on Havens Corner, head west onto Granville Street, and then west on U.S. Route 62 to Stygler Road. The parade will continue to head north onto Stygler Road to the Royal Plaza Shopping Center parking lot. Come and join the fun!

Currently, The Gahanna Lions Club is accepting entry applications for floats, marching units, vehicles and bikes for this year's parade. Ribbons will be awarded to the "best" entry in each category. Registration forms are available online, click here to register. Completed forms should be mailed to:

Gahanna Lions Club

PO Box 30142

Gahanna, OH 43230

For more information about this event, contact Don Quick at 614.284.0202 or Chuck Rees 614.475.5557.