Zoning changes would ban gun sales in Canal Winchester

ThisWeek CW 03/08/2012

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2012/03/06/zoning-changes-would-ban-gun-sales.html

Gun sales would be banned and the number of drive-throughs would be restricted in downtown Canal Winchester under terms of several zoning changes debated by city council March 5.

Development director Lucas Haire said the proposed changes are meant to minimize the number of conditional uses that need to be administered in the Old Town and Preservation districts.

“These uses are permitted in 90 percent of the city, so geographically, we’re talking about a small section of town,” Haire said. “The idea is to protect the investment people have made down here and to build off of that.

“These changes were written to make downtown more pedestrian-friendly by limiting the number of curb cuts we have and cars coming in and out across walkways,” he said.

The public had a chance to discuss the proposals prior to the council meeting during a public hearing. No residents spoke.

Planning administrator Andrew Dutton said the proposed changes for the Old Town and Preservation districts would simplify the approval process for changes to existing structures and for redevelopment in the district; clarify zoning text and relocate it within the proper city documents; encourage a more pedestrian-oriented downtown and prohibit certain uses, such as pool halls, gun shops, automotive shops, fast-food restaurants and drive-throughs.

Council members Bobbie Mershon and Joe Abbott opposed the zoning changes that would ban the sale of firearms, ammunition and other deadly weapons in downtown.

“I’ve had several complaints about the prohibition on the sale of firearms or other deadly weapons from residents,” Mershon said. “What about antique shops that sell antique guns? There’s a lot of money in selling those, so why wouldn’t we want to collect tax dollars off of that kind of profit?”

Dutton said making gun sales a conditional use would require approval by the city, but existing antiques stores would be grandfathered in.

“You can continue to ‘grandfather’ a use as long as it’s occupied within six months of the transfer,” he said.

Abbott also said he is concerned that the restrictions on drive-throughs would limit the city’s ability to attract banks to downtown.

“I was part of some of the zoning workshops and I think what I had in mind when we were talking was a drive-through where you stop and pick up a six-pack of beer: I’m against that,” Abbott said.

Councilman Steve Donahue agreed.

“I would say a bank won’t relocate here if they can’t have a drive-through,” Donahue said. “I want to be protective of our downtown on one hand, but flexible.”

Council heard the second of three readings of legislation authorizing the zoning changes during its meeting Monday, following the public hearing.

“I think we should skinny down the prohibited use and make more use of conditional use rules,” law director Gene Hollins said. “We’ll bring you back something before the third reading and if it needs more work, we can table the ordinance then. We want to take our time and get this right.”

The next city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, March 19, at Town Hall, 10 N. High St.