TITLE
AN ORDINANCE TO REAUTHORIZE AND AMEND THE CREEKSIDE OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA (CORA) IN ACCORDANCE WITH OHIO REVISED CODE 4301.82
BODY
WHEREAS, on August 17, 2020, Gahanna City Council adopted Ordinance 061-2020 establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in the Creekside District pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 4301.82; and
WHEREAS, ORC Section 4301.82 requires review and reauthorization of a DORA after a five-year period; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with ORC Section 4301.82, notice of the date and time of the public hearing regarding the renewal and proposed amendments to the Creekside Outdoor Refreshment Area was duly provided, and said public hearing was held on August 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM, allowing for public comment and review of the application;
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Department has assumed responsibility for management of the CORA, including coordination of stakeholder engagement, annual review meetings, and assessment of program operations in partnership with the Creekside District Alliance and CORA Committee; and
WHEREAS, following review meetings and consolidated stakeholder feedback, the Department of Economic Development has submitted a renewal petition recommending minor revisions to improve the effectiveness of the CORA and enhance its benefits to area businesses and the Creekside community; and
WHEREAS, the recommended changes include adjustment of operational hours, expansion of boundaries, and an amendment to the safety meeting frequency, with all other terms of the original CORA application to remain unchanged.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. The City Council hereby approves the application for renewal of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, attached hereto and incorporated herein as EXHIBIT A, and reauthorizes the operation of the Creekside Outdoor Refreshment Area (CORA) as originally established by Ordinance No. 061-2020, with the exception of the amendments outlined herein.
Section 2. The CORA is hereby amended as follows:
(a) Operational hours shall be adjusted to 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily.
(b) The CORA boundaries shall be expanded to include Short Street on the east and Carpenter Road to the north, while the existing western and southern boundaries shall remain unchanged.
(c) The Safety Plan meeting requirement shall be revised from monthly meetings during the first twelve (12) months to meetings held on an as-needed basis.
Section 3. All other provisions of the original CORA application and corresponding ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 4. That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after passage by this Council and 30 days after signature of approval by the Mayor.