ThisWeek CW 01/23/2013
The Canal Pointe Industrial Park should see some new growth over the next year following approvals by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
During the Jan. 14 meeting, the commission approved a site development plan for AK Athletic Equipment Inc. as well as providing positive feedback regarding a potential relocation of Pickerington based Lucky Bones Inc.
AK Athletic Equipment is looking to expand its operations by building an additional 12,000-square-foot facility next door to their current warehouse facility at 8015 Howe Industrial Parkway.
“We’re definitely happy about AK Athletic growing its business and it’s good to have some new construction activity in Canal Pointe since it’s been a few years since a new building was built there,” said Lucas Haire, CW development director.
“It’s helpful that, as a part of the site certification process at Canal Pointe we already know the utilities are in place for projects like this,” Haire said.
According to AK Athletic Equipment owner Kevin Murphy, expansion is necessary because of getting into new product lines.
“We’re hoping to break ground in the spring and expect this will add another 10 employees over the next few years,” Murphy said.
Dublin Building Systems will be responsible for constructing the new facility for AK Athletic and is also involved in the potential construction of a full-service dog care facility in Canal Pointe.
“We’ve been talking with Kelly and Pat Santarelli about a proposed dog kennel on Howe Industrial Parkway and they’d like feedback from the commission before officially submitting a site development plan,” said Andrew Dutton, planning and zoning administrator.
According to Kelly Santa-relli, the couple owns Lucky Bones Dog Day Care in Pickerington, but the business is outgrowing its current 3,000-square-foot facility.
“We’re looking to expand, Kelly Santarelli said.
“Right now we’re a dog boarding and day care facility and we can house up to 50 dogs, but we’re looking to double that with the new facility as well as adding grooming, training and we want to add a veterinary clinic,” she said.
Commissioners expressed concerns about how many dogs will be on site and whether there was enough room planned for exercising dogs as well as a waste management plan.
Ultimately, the Santarellis provided enough preliminary information the commission encouraged them to submit a formal application.
“I don’t see anything wrong with what’s being proposed,” Commissioner James Wynkoop said.
Haire said the new business would provide a welcome array of services for the city and surrounding communities.
The Santarellis said they hope to submit a formal application for the February meeting, and would like to have the new facility open for business before 2014.
“We need to expand and that means expanding the facility but also it’ll mean doubling the employees to 25 to 30 people,” Santarelli said.
“If possible, we’d like to be open in Canal Pointe by next summer.”