Westerville Council Rejects Walnut Street Development After Public Uproar

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The Westerville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to reject a proposed mixed-use development at 64 East Walnut Street, bowing to intense public opposition and promising a new community engagement process for the site’s future.

Council Chair Zaco made the surprise motion to advance the second reading of Ordinance 2026-11 from its scheduled Sept. 15 date to the current meeting, then immediately moved to reject the ordinance entirely. The vote was 6-0.

“The amount of people here tonight and the interest in this project online, it honestly tells me that the process is working like it should,” Zaco said at the outset of the meeting. “I do hear that the residents are not comfortable with this project right now. Nor do your residents feel that the process has been communicated clearly or effectively.”

The ordinance would have authorized a mixed-use development at the Walnut Street property. Residents had voiced concerns about density, traffic and a lack of transparency in the process.

Zaco committed to a new public engagement process, including an Aug. 11 open house to gather feedback on what residents want at the site. A previously scheduled June 8 open house will be canceled. The chair said she will not place any RFP, contract or legislation regarding the property on the agenda until the city completes a series of steps, including compiling resident feedback and providing a detailed explanation of how properties move through the zoning process.

Council member Wright emphasized the vote was a full rejection, not a delay. “We are resetting the total process for figuring out what to do with this property,” he said.

In other business, the council held first readings on three ordinances but took no votes. Ordinance 2026-10 would appropriate and transfer funds for 2026, including $140,000 to replace two emergency sirens. Ordinance 2026-12 would modernize regulations for bicycles, e-bikes and personal transportation devices, including helmet requirements for minors under 18, speed limits and prohibited areas. Public comment raised concerns about enforcement and safety on shared-use paths.

Ordinance 2026-13 would adopt a supplement to the codified ordinances and conform with state law changes, with an emergency clause.

The council unanimously approved a motion to authorize the city manager to purchase liquid asphalt rejuvenator with materials and application services from Pavement Technology via an Ohio Department of Transportation cooperative contract. Public comment questioned the product’s cost-effectiveness and safety based on an ODOT study.

The meeting included proclamations for Poppy Day and a special education award. The city manager reported the unexpected death of a long-time employee.

Council’s next regular meeting is June 16 at 7 p.m. at the Justice Center.

Key moments

Significant Manual Part 1 · 3:42

Council Chair announces rejection of Walnut Street ordinance

I feel like I've listened and my thoughts today are that at this time, it would feel most appropriate to reject ordinance 202611 entirely.

Public interest Manual Part 1 · 32:18

Public comment on e-bike safety concerns

My dog was almost crushed twice by speeding e-bikes who sped away and if I even wanted to try to track where they were I had absolutely zero way to do so.

Contentious Part 1 · 40:48

Public comment on Reclamite asphalt rejuvenator

In 2017 ODOT conducted a study... the authors wrote that based on four years of monitoring, the answer is no, it was not cost effective.

Significant Part 1 · 24:05

City manager announces employee death

Todd Heads has been alignment for 32 years and dedicated his life to this community. He was the electric field superintendent.

Contentious Part 1 · 2:04:07

Council member Wright's comments on housing strategy

I've maintained that many Westerville residents and hosts of other stakeholders... identified specific housing needs and circumstances and produced measured housing recommendations.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

City of Westerville — 2026-06-02

Meeting Information

Title: Regular Meeting — 2026-06-02

Parish: City of Westerville

Date: 2026-06-02

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 1252

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Rejection of Ordinance 2026-11 (Walnut Street proposal)	Council advanced the second reading of Ordinance 2026-11 from September 15 to the current meeting, then voted to reject it entirely. The ordinance would have authorized a mixed-use development at 64 East Walnut Street.	Ordinance rejected unanimously.	6-0 in favor of rejection
Ordinance 2026-10 (Appropriation and transfer)	Second reading of an ordinance to appropriate and transfer funds for 2026, including $140,000 to replace two emergency sirens.	First reading concluded; no vote taken.	No action
Ordinance 2026-12 (E-bike and personal transportation device regulations)	First reading of an ordinance to modernize regulations for bicycles, e-bikes, and personal transportation devices, including helmet requirements for minors under 18, speed limits, and prohibited areas.	First reading concluded; no vote taken.	No action
Ordinance 2026-13 (Codified ordinances supplement and conformity)	First reading of an ordinance to adopt a supplement to the codified ordinances and conform with state law changes, with an emergency clause.	First reading concluded; no vote taken.	No action
Motion to purchase liquid asphalt rejuvenator	Motion to authorize the city manager to purchase liquid asphalt with materials and application services from Pavement Technology via an ODOT cooperative contract.	Motion passed unanimously.	6-0 in favor

$140,000 transfer from CODA savings to replace two emergency sirens.
Purchase of liquid asphalt rejuvenator via ODOT contract (amount not specified).

Lack of transparency and communication regarding the Walnut Street development process.
Safety concerns on shared-use paths due to speeding e-bikes and enforcement challenges.
Traffic and pedestrian safety at County Line Road and other intersections.
Air quality and dust impacts from construction at 64 East Walnut.
Preservation of uptown character and small businesses.

Walnut Street development proposal (Ordinance 2026-11) – residents opposed density, traffic, and lack of transparency; council rejected the ordinance.
E-bike regulations – public comment raised concerns about enforcement and safety on shared-use paths.
Reclamite asphalt rejuvenator – public comment questioned its cost-effectiveness and safety based on an ODOT study.

Planning Commission

Concept plan review for BP station reconstruction at 796 South State Street; no vote taken.
Conditional use permit approved for cheer and tumbling gym at 175 East Broadway (unanimous).
Site plan and conditional use permit approved for a new restaurant with drive-through at former RVs site (unanimous).

Water Utility

Update on backflow prevention program: new cross-connection policy to be finalized by June 2026; communications plan to follow.

City staff to cancel June 8 open house and prepare for August 11 open house on Walnut Street property.
Staff to compile goals and priorities for the site from resident feedback, city plans, and council goals.
Staff to provide detailed process timeline for property disposition, including public engagement opportunities.
Staff to explain revenue impacts and factors influencing purchase price for city-owned property.
Council Chair to present dates for public meetings on the above items at the next regular meeting.