By 1808Delaware
Sunbury City Council moved through a packed agenda this past week, with discussions ranging from downtown outdoor drinking and road construction to park improvements, new development, data centers and plans for a possible future community center.
DORA Proposal Moves Forward
One of the evening’s most closely watched topics was the proposed creation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, in Sunbury.
City Manager Daryl Hennessy told council that the proposal had been revised following earlier feedback. Under the current version, the DORA would operate from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM seven days a week. The change was intended to provide greater consistency for participating businesses, customers and enforcement. Several blackout dates would remain in place, including the Memorial Day Market, Labor Day Market, Christmas on the Square, Independence Day activities and Sunbury Sizzle and Sound.
Jason Holderby, speaking during the public hearing, thanked council for expanding the proposed hours and said the consistency would help participating businesses. He also asked whether council could vote on the proposal at its next meeting in an effort to preserve as much of the remaining summer season as possible.
Later in the meeting, however, legal counsel clarified that state law prevents that timetable. The city must wait at least 30 days after initial publication before acting, meaning the next regular council meeting falls too soon for a vote. The DORA ordinance received its first reading.
Road Work Could Bring Summer Closure
Council also heard updates on several transportation and infrastructure projects.
A possible closure of Cheshire Road is being planned from July 13 through August 11 as part of realignment work near Kintner Parkway. Officials said the goal is to complete that phase before school begins, although the schedule remains subject to weather and other complications. The broader project is currently targeted for substantial completion by December 15.
Elsewhere, city crews received praise for pavement repairs completed on Golf Course Road. Officials emphasized that much of the work was performed in-house by Sunbury’s own services team with limited outside assistance. The city is also awaiting a schedule for its 2026 street improvement work and is prioritizing traffic-calming pavement markings on North Miller Drive before the start of the school year.
Council approved construction administration and inspection services for the 2026 street improvement program and also authorized a regulated materials review connected with the State Route 37 widening project.
Extra Funding Opens New Possibilities For Parks
Parks were another major focus of the evening, following news that Sunbury had received approximately $350,000 in additional funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
One Council member said officials are now discussing how that unexpected money could restore or add elements to previously planned improvements. Among the possibilities are a sidewalk along the south side of Cherry Street from JR Smith Park to Otis Street, additional shade structures, playground equipment, water access, security measures, landscaping, signage and an entrance feature. City officials are also moving ahead with a broader signage effort for parks, municipal facilities and major entrances into Sunbury.
At Old Orchard Park, the city arborist has identified invasive species and is expected to return with recommendations for the park’s future. Ideas could include new plantings and a more active use of the property, potentially including apple trees near the front of the site.
Development Projects Reflect A Changing City
Council also received updates on two projects that could reshape prominent areas of Sunbury.
At 37 East Granville Street, where a previous building collapsed, a couple is proposing a new two-story building with commercial space and apartments. The concept has already cleared parts of the local zoning review process, although additional issues remain, including a variance involving apartment size and further review of lighting, paving and stormwater considerations. Council members described the proposed building as architecturally strong and potentially significant for the appearance of the square.
Another project involves the former Northgate parcel south of the outlet mall. That development proposal has generated a substantial number of requested zoning divergences, but officials said the issue is not necessarily that the project conflicts with Sunbury’s planning vision. Instead, the city’s existing zoning code has not yet fully caught up with the more recent comprehensive plan and Sunbury Parkway district vision.
It was suggested that many of the divergences are the result of that timing mismatch. The project is expected to return for further consideration.
Data Center Discussion Will Continue
Sunbury’s ongoing examination of data centers is also set to continue. Hennessy asked council members to hold August 27 at 6:30 PM for another possible special meeting devoted to the subject. Topics under consideration include noise, land use, zoning, economic development and the differences among various types of data centers.
Later in the meeting, Hennessy also corrected the public record regarding a previous data center session. He said an electrical expert who appeared at that meeting had been compensated, contrary to an earlier statement that both speakers had participated without payment. Hennessy said the mayor had not known about the compensation and took responsibility for failing to communicate it. He added that finding independent experts on highly technical issues can require payment and pledged to disclose such arrangements in advance in the future.
Council members responded that compensation for specialized expertise is not unusual, particularly when seeking independent technical advice.
Community Center Site Search Begins
The Eastern Delaware County Joint Recreation District is taking another step toward a possible future community center. Officials are beginning to identify and weigh site-selection criteria before approaching voters with any proposal. Those factors include utility availability, land ownership, proximity to community partners, market potential, vehicle access and pedestrian access.
Consultants are expected to apply the criteria to possible parcels in an effort to narrow the field. Hennessy said knowing where the center could be located is an important question to answer before asking voters to consider the project.
