ThisWeek CW 01/22/2015

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/01/19/variance-extended-so-aep-can-complete-project.html

Groveport City Council agreed Jan. 12 to extend a temporary use variance for a lot on Hamilton Road so AEP Ohio can complete installation of new utility poles in the city.

The variance was originally granted to AEP Ohio in 2012.

The company has been using a vacant lot at 4500 S. Hamilton Road for the past two years as a staging site for new utility poles and construction equipment for the pole-replacement project along Bixby Road.

Security fencing was erected around the site and other construction-related materials have been stored there.

All will be removed after completion of the project as part of the approved extension agreement.

Chief Building Official Stephen Moore said the pole-replacement project has been going well but would not be complete for several more months. After that, he said, AEP Ohio will need to restore the lot to its previous condition.

City Law Director Kevin Shannon asked council to extend Groveport’s agreement with AEP through Dec. 31, and to include variances giving the company the ability to continue using land that is technically in the public right of way.

“When we talked about this at Planning and Zoning, one of the things we talked about was that the legislation will need to be amended,” Shannon said. “Speaking to AEP Ohio, they felt if we give them until the end of this year, that will be enough time to complete the project and the site restoration after the project.

“When we originally gave them two years for the variance, that timeframe was put in there … based on our best guess of how long the project would last, so we’re confident this timeframe will be plenty,” he said.