Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at September 10's Architectural Review Board and Municipal Planning Commission meeting. Below are summaries of the commercial and institutional projects that directly impact our community. For those interested in the full details, we've included links to longer articles where appropriate.
Joya's clears the way to expand downtown
Joya's, the High Street restaurant, won approval to grow into the neighboring former Grid Furnishings space, add an accessible ramped entrance, and extend its hours into the evening. The one sticking point was outdoor seating: the owners had hoped to replace sidewalk shrubs with a paved café patio, but the city holds a firm line against trading downtown greenery for hardscape, so that portion was withdrawn. In its place, the planning commission approved about eight additional sidewalk seats and hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Board denies bright lights after neighbor complaints
The board voted down a request to keep unpermitted LED "wall-pack" lights and cameras on a commercial building at 5589-5617 North High Street, after months of complaints from neighbors whose backyards the lights flood. Planning staff said the fixtures were added without approval and switched to bright white LEDs early this year. The denial supports a code case already headed to the city's Mayor's Court; the board's action requires the outward-facing lights to come off and a new lighting plan to be submitted.
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In Other News
From the Planning Commission
- A new medical-training school is coming to Wilson Bridge Road. The commission approved a conditional use permit for Ross Medical Education Centers, an allied-health vocational school, to occupy the vacant third floor (about 5,400 square feet) of the office building at 350 West Wilson Bridge Road, the former Mettler Toledo and Wheels Up space. Staff said the school expects 40 to 50 students a day and 7 to 10 employees, with no exterior changes, and framed it as a low-impact tenant filling long-empty office space in a Wilson Bridge Road corridor that generates roughly half the city's income-tax revenue.
- Demolition approved at 684 Andover Street. The commission signed off on removing a small (~560-square-foot) house on a lot split from the former Harding Hospital site, now associated with I Am Boundless. The auditor lists it as built in 1900, though Worthington Historical Society documentation suggests it was likely moved to the site in the 1920s. The applicant said the structure is in poor condition.
- A conditional use permit was withdrawn. A request for outdoor equipment storage at 515 Schrock Road (a Junk King application) was withdrawn before the meeting; the commission formally accepted the withdrawal.
Around the Architectural Review Board
- Grove Pediatric Dentistry, 1020 High Street. The board approved building maintenance (new gutters, downspouts, trim, and windows to match) plus a removable fabric winter vestibule to shelter patients who use wheelchairs during snow and rain.
- Edward Jones ground sign, 6877 North High Street. The board approved a new metal ground sign with push-through, illuminated lettering on an opaque background.
- BP ground sign, 7141 North High Street. Tabled at the applicant's request. Board members asked for more subdued color and dimensional, push-through letters rather than a flat, glossy plastic panel.
- Schoedinger funeral home, 6699 North High Street. The board approved a window replacement that restores the building's earlier eight-over-eight white windows. The applicant was not present; staff had worked with them to match the historic appearance.
From City Council
Council Member Amy Lloyd, the council's representative to the board, shared two updates from council's return from recess. The city's deer management program will begin earlier this year, starting in December, with a target of roughly 100 to 150 deer and a pause during Worthington Schools' winter break; residents who want to volunteer their property call a phone number rather than sign up online. Council is also continuing work on rules for e-bikes and e-scooters, paired with an education campaign, and is asking residents to share feedback. Separately, planning staff noted the Worthington Together comprehensive plan returns to the planning commission for a public meeting later this month, with a recommendation to City Council anticipated on October 19.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. — Worthington City Council.
- Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. — Architectural Review Board / Municipal Planning Commission. The commission is expected to take up the Worthington Together comprehensive plan at a public meeting, with a possible recommendation to City Council.
- Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. — Old Worthington Market Day fills downtown High Street with vendors, food, and activities.
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Thanks for reading this summary of the Architectural Review Board and Municipal Planning Commission meeting. You can watch the original full video here
Note: This recap focuses on commercial and institutional projects that affect the broader community. Individual homeowner applications, while important to those involved, are not included in this community newsletter.