Franklin County Issue 25 — Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:07 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Gahanna voters

What it does
Gahanna – Proposed Charter Amendment — Shall Section 11.03, Planning Commission - Powers and Duties, of Article XI, Planning Commission, be amended and Article XII, Board of Zoning and Building Appeals, be repealed to transfer zoning, building, and landscaping appeal functions to the Planning Commission and to transfer Planning Commission appeals to Franklin County courts?
A YES vote means
Gahanna's Board of Zoning and Building Appeals would be repealed, its zoning, building and landscaping appeals would move to the Planning Commission, and Planning Commission appeals would go to Franklin County courts.
A NO vote means
The Board of Zoning and Building Appeals would stay, and the current appeal process would not change.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Gahanna's Charter (Article XII) creates a five-member Board of Zoning and Building Appeals, appointed by City Council and the Mayor.
  • That board hears appeals for exceptions to the City's zoning, building and landscaping rules, and appeals from decisions of City officials, boards, commissions and agencies on those matters.
  • The Planning Commission (Article XI) advises Council on plans and maps, reviews development, approves subdivision plats and regulates building location, height and bulk.

If it passes

  • YES would repeal Article XII, eliminating the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals.
  • Section 11.03 would be amended so the Planning Commission hears appeals of interpretations, decisions and orders of City officials on zoning, building and landscaping.
  • Appeals of Planning Commission decisions would go to the Franklin County courts as provided by Ohio law, according to the City's explanation.
  • NO would keep the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals and the current division of duties.

Who would notice

Gahanna property owners, builders and businesses that seek zoning, building or landscaping appeals or exceptions, and residents who take part in those hearings.

How it got here

The 2026 Gahanna Charter Review Commission recommended the change. Its transmittal memo groups it with changes meant to reduce cost or duplication.

City Council adopted Resolution RES-0033-2026 on July 20, 2026 to put it on the ballot (recommended by the Committee of the Whole on July 6, 2026).

The City's stated reason is to consolidate related functions in one body that regularly considers these matters and to reduce administrative costs.

Written by SpectrumVote from 4 linked sources (1, 2, 3, 4). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

Gahanna's charter requires a Charter Review Commission every five years; the seven-member 2026 commission, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, recommended amendments that the Council placed on the ballot as Issues 18 through 27, according to the city.

City Council adopted RES-0033-2026 on July 20, 2026 to submit this amendment; according to the resolution, it would repeal Article XII, transfer the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals' zoning, building and landscaping appeal duties to the Planning Commission, and provide for appeals of Planning Commission decisions as allowed by Ohio law, which the city says would go to Franklin County courts.

Put on the ballot by Gahanna City Council, July 20, 2026 (RES-0033-2026), on the recommendation of the 2026 Charter Review Commission.

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Franklin County Issue 25 mean?
Gahanna's Board of Zoning and Building Appeals would be repealed, its zoning, building and landscaping appeals would move to the Planning Commission, and Planning Commission appeals would go to Franklin County courts.
What does a NO vote on Franklin County Issue 25 mean?
The Board of Zoning and Building Appeals would stay, and the current appeal process would not change.
Who would hear a request for a zoning variance or a building appeal?
The Planning Commission, which would take over the appeal functions now held by the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals.
Could I still appeal a Planning Commission decision?
Yes. The City's explanation says appeals would be available through the Franklin County courts as provided by Ohio law.
What does it take to pass?
A majority of Gahanna voters voting on it.
How many votes does Franklin County Issue 25 need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Franklin County Issue 25?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Franklin County ballot.

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