Reynoldsburg · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Reynoldsburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Reynoldsburg Week at COSI
Reynoldsburg becomes the first community to partner with COSI on this model: STEM activities at the Tomato and Diwali festivals, plus discounted admission for all residents July 20-26.
Backyard chicken ownership ordinance
A resident asked council to revisit allowing backyard poultry, saying last year's research was silently dropped. She wants answers or a permit-based exception.
FEMA flood recovery and Blacklick Creek mitigation
The city is still waiting on federal disaster designation for recent flooding and has applied for a watershed restoration grant with up to a 65-day review. Pickleball courts are nearly finished and new playground equipment at Huber and McPherson parks is on track for December.
City cybersecurity program
Following state law passed after the Columbus cyberattack, the city adopted a formal cybersecurity program. Any ransom payment would now have to come before council.
Speed bump policy explained
A resident's email detailed another crash from cut-through speeding, and the city is studying traffic lights at Rosehill/Renton and near Slate Ridge Elementary as the school district shifts to neighborhood schools.
Brice Main Corridor TIF payment to schools
The auditor found a 2025 TIF distribution to Reynoldsburg City Schools that was never paid. Council moved quickly, with emergency status, to get the money to the district.
Elected officials' compensation ordinance
A proposal would set salaries for the mayor, city auditor and city attorney ahead of 2027 elections, with the auditor's pay rising about 30 percent by 2030. Council held it for one more work session.
Council Chamber Renovation and Meeting Relocation
Starting November 19, board meetings move to the police station multipurpose room while council chambers are renovated for at least six months. No live streaming during that time, but recordings will still be posted.
Group Home Regulations and Fair Housing Compliance
The city attorney explained that Fair Housing Act rules force Reynoldsburg to treat certain group homes as a permitted use in residential districts, reviewed by staff instead of public hearings. The board wants added distance limits from schools and parks, and staff will draft that language before the vote.
Tree Commission recruitment
The Tree Commission needs members. One person is interested, and the commission is asking residents to help spread the word.
Parks Master Plan
Consultants shared survey findings: a community recreation center scored as the community's top facility priority, followed by trails and pools. A final plan with a capital improvement strategy comes to Council in June 2026; the online survey stays open through March.
Five-Year Trash Contract: Local Waste vs. Rumpke
The city is choosing between Local Waste Services (current hauler, bid $24.79) and Rumpke (low bidder at $24.15, saving $366,000 over five years). Rumpke pitched its case during public comment while a resident described oil and glass spills from Local Waste trucks. The Local Waste contract moves to a second reading with more data requested.
Playground and court improvements at McPherson, Huber and JFK parks
DLZ was hired to inspect the conversion of courts at JFK Park to pickleball — a parks upgrade moving forward.
Nonprofit funding advocacy
With federal and state funding cuts squeezing local food pantries and charities, the city is designing a grant program for nonprofits based in Reynoldsburg ahead of the 2027 budget. Council wants a hard cap, fixed award limits around $15,000, and a review committee with scoring criteria.
Hotel tax overhaul and Old Reynoldsburg revitalization fund
A restaurant on E. Main Street can now add a glass door and a fenced patio for outdoor dining, sprucing up the Old Reynoldsburg Commercial corridor.
2027 Property Tax Rate Certifications
The Auditor's office is still untangling incomplete 2025 books left by the prior administration, needs a temp accountant, and had to add debt service funding the 2026 budget accidentally omitted.
Domestic violence awareness and resources
President Pyakurel shared that Reynoldsburg lost three people to suicide in the last 20 days and said the community needs to do more to raise awareness and respond.
East Main Street sidewalk connectivity
An ER nurse reported a recent pedestrian death near Main and Briarcliff and asked for a high-visibility crossing like Livingston's, plus full-time traffic signals — Main Street lights switch to blinking yellow overnight while people walk to the Emergency Room.
Summit Road construction and traffic signal
The city is buying land and easements to widen Summit Road with Etna Township; most affected owners have been contacted and talks are described as collaborative, including burying gas lines and adjusting driveways.
Homelessness services — Reynoldsburg Hope Center
Pastor Aaron DeLong invited council to the Hope Center's October 19 open house; the center serves about 75 homeless residents three days a week with showers, laundry, meals, and clothing.
Proposed 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant program
With federal and state funding cuts squeezing local food pantries and charities, the city is designing a grant program for nonprofits based in Reynoldsburg ahead of the 2027 budget. Council wants a hard cap, fixed award limits around $15,000, and a review committee with scoring criteria.
Neighborhood safety concerns on Golding Drive
A new homeowner asked council to audit the permits, land use and police call history at a property he believes is generating drug-related activity, describing a late-night code-3 police response through his property and fear among neighbors including a teenage girl's family.
State Route 256 Intersection Safety Improvements
With OPWC grant funding, the city is designing pedestrian-safety upgrades at SR 256: relocated push buttons, longer crossing times, and emergency signal preemption coordinated with Pickerington and Violet Township.
Bryce Road tax office site compliance variances
A former medical office at 1624 Bryce Road is becoming a tax, notary, and bookkeeping business. Because the lot is small and already built out, the owner needed relief from modern driveway and buffer rules — the board agreed the hardship is real, not self-created.
Redevelopment of vacant former Walgreens at 6320 E. Main Street
A long-vacant drugstore on East Main will be split into two parcels for a Dutch Bros drive-thru and a dental clinic, bringing new businesses to a key corridor. Several variances were needed because of the planned Brice Road realignment, which will eventually bring the site into compliance.
Senior Center staffing and hours
The Senior Center board wants a third staff member and has floated Saturday hours, though most nearby centers don't offer them and weekends are currently used for Parks programming. Conversations are ongoing.
Hannah Ashton Middle School building compliance issues
The middle school isn't in compliance with the fire department — the sprinkler system is off, and there are leak and window problems. Fixing it will cost a lot of money, and the district is holding town halls to talk with the community.
Payroll Issues
Reynoldsburg teachers are left hanging without their paychecks, demanding immediate answers from the school district. It's a huge disruption for local educators who count on that money to pay their bills.
Waggoner Road Opening
Phase one of the Wagner Road project wraps up soon, with phase two starting right after. When done, the road will have three lanes from Main to Broad, new water and gas lines, and a traffic light at Priestley Drive.
Tax Incentive Review Council Recommendations
Council approved three 15-year property tax abatements under the Community Reinvestment Area program — VTRE Development and two TCC Reynoldsburg entities — each 6-1. Councilmember Baker argued 15 years exceeds what the city should give away, even for development.
Flock License Plate Camera Program
A resident sharply criticized the city's expanding Flock camera network as government overreach with weak accountability, citing misuse by police and immigration agents elsewhere. Mayor Begeny promised a council briefing before the August recess covering oversight guardrails, privacy steps, and measured safety benefits.
Food Truck Regulations (Chapter 753)
New rules would require food trucks to get a $100 city permit, operate only dawn to dusk, and leave each site daily — aimed at stopping semi-permanent setups and protecting stormwater from grease dumping. Council debated whether the rules go too far on private property.
Child daycare proposal at 1792 Brice Road
A proposed 56-child daycare in the I Innovation district was tabled because the applicant lacks a site plan, and the proposed playground sits near truck delivery routes and a rear egress door. She'll return by November 19.
Zoning code update
Staff proposed a batch of code fixes: dropping newspaper legal ads for variances, allowing laundromats in more districts, regulating changeable copy signs, possibly dropping the drive-through escape lane requirement, bigger ADUs, spiked fencing instead of barbed wire, and new transit-related definitions. Draft text heads to council this fall.
Child daycare center at 6549 E. Livingston Avenue
Grace B Daycare wants to open with 15 kids in a vacant tenant space, but the playground location near a rear drive aisle and an old dumpster raised safety questions. The board gave them until April 16 to produce a proper site plan.
2024 State Audit Findings and Auditor Office Rebuild
The district's audit is done, with one dispute over a records request the board felt wasn't really a request. Insurance renewed with just a $110 premium bump.
JEDD #1 Board Reorganization
The joint economic development district filled its leadership for the new term — Washington back as chair and Jon Hanson as the employee member, completing the board. A full board means the district can keep making decisions on shared revenue and development.
Strong Second-Quarter Revenue
JEDD #1 brought in $829,873.44 in second-quarter revenue, boosted by timing and a new large facility replacing Ashley Furniture, plus $200,000 in funds recovered from Pataskala. That money funds the district's economic development work.
Police Misconduct
Two Reynoldsburg police officers quit after getting caught allegedly misusing the city's Flock surveillance cameras. It's a huge privacy headache and a terrible look for local law enforcement.
Eastwood TIF Fund Budget Correction
The budget passed in December accidentally still included big vehicle purchases that were supposed to be cut. Council redid the vote with the correct, lower numbers.
Chamber of Commerce grant request
The chamber asked the city for $30,000 to expand business education and support programs. The mayor wants a funding framework from the auditor and city attorney before a work session after recess.
Columbus water and sewer rates for master-meter communities
Councilmember Baker says Reynoldsburg maintains its own water and sewer lines but pays Columbus the same rates as communities where Columbus does the maintenance. He's pushing for a reduced rate, which could affect local utility bills.
2026 Street Maintenance and Improvement Project
A new priority list ranks residential roads for paving over the next three years using a 'good curbs, bad roads' guideline. The mayor admits many roads still need work.
Ostomy Awareness and Disability Initiative
Resident and teacher Tonya Kelly asked council to back a local disability awareness initiative and to oppose Medicare/Medicaid competitive bidding for ostomy supplies. Councilmembers Johnson, Baker, and Abram pledged support.
Short-Term Rental Regulations (Section 705)
Council is weighing how to handle Airbnb-style rentals. Norm Brusk pushed for a total ban, saying party houses disrupt neighborhoods and strain police services. Georgia Byrd, a super host since 2018, warned that regulating or banning short-term rentals would hurt the income she and her husband rely on.
July 3 fireworks security protocols at Civic Park
The Pyrotecnico contract was approved at $55,500 — a bigger, longer show for the America 250 celebration, with the increase partly due to tariffs.
East Main Street and Brice Road intersection improvement
The federally funded realignment of the Brice and Main Street intersection is in final design and expected in the next two to three years, requiring right-of-way from the redeveloped property. One variance becomes unnecessary once the project is complete.
Summit Road Industrial CRA tax exemption
Council discussed — partly in executive session — a property tax exemption agreement with Summit Road Industrial LLC under the Community Reinvestment Area program, and advanced the ordinance for a first reading.
Home occupation rules at 776 Clark Drive
A family running a home health care agency from their home appealed a zoning denial. After explaining the office is a locked second-floor room with no client visits, the board approved the appeal.
BP monument sign variances
A BP station wanted a taller, bigger, more colorful monument sign, but staff said the hardship was really just competition and convenience. The case was tabled so the applicant can rework the proposal.