Archives for April 2021

Bexley DORA Approved; Goes Into Effect in June

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At the April 27th City Council meeting, Council approved Bexley’s application to establish a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) along E. Main Street. DORAs allow qualified liquor permit holding establishments to serve alcoholic beverages in a specified cup pursuant to the law within the designated area during the hours of operation. 

Qualifying Permit Holders:

  • Moshi Sushi
  • Rusty Bucket
  • Brassica
  • Giuseppe’s Ritrovo
  • Harvest Pizza
  • Kittie’s Cafe
  • Cafe Istanbul

Benefits of a DORA include the ability to further social distance outside, increase accessibility to outdoor dining in front of liquor permit holders, and economic support to businesses. Bexley joins several other central Ohio communities with an established DORA, including Grove City, Hilliard, and Powell. 

The DORA will go into effect starting in June, and have the following hours of operation:

  • Monday – Friday: 4:00 – 10:00 pm
  • Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

To learn more about the DORA in Bexley, please click here.

Bexley City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 27th at 6:00 pm

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City Council meetings are currently being held via Zoom. Here’s how to access the upcoming meeting:

  • To join the Zoom Webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device, click here.
  • Join by phone: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 
  • Webinar ID: 201 091 469
  • To view agendas and supporting documents, visit www.bexley.org/meetings.

At the upcoming City Council meeting, the following items will be discussed:

  • Ordinance 10-21: Creating a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in a specified portion of the Main Street District and enacting regulations and declaring an emergency
  • Ordinance 11-20: To amend Amended Chapter 1230, Definitions; Chapter 1252.15, Accessory Uses and Structures; and Chapter 1223.05, Demolition; in order to provide for additional regulations and criteria related to the construction and demolition of accessory uses and structure in the City
  • Ordinance 12-21: To adopt and approve the City of Bexley Electric Aggregation Plan of Operation and Governance, and to declare an emergency
  • Ordinance 15-21: To appropriate $15,700 from the Water Fund to pay for waterline reconstruction in conjunction with the 2021 street reconstruction project
  • Ordinance 16-21: To amend the Capital Stadium Lights Planning Approval Conditions in light of pandemic-based changes to Capital University’s athletics schedule, in order to allow for two night-time licenses in 2021 to operate stadium lighting in which the lights are on past the hour of 9:30 pm but off prior to the hour of 11:00 pm
  • Ordinance 17-21: To amend Chapter 1476, Unsafe Buildings, to include provisions for unsafe sites
  • Ordinance 18-21: To appropriate $50,000 from the General Fund for the purpose of paying legal fees associated with nuisance condition abatement and community choice electrical aggregation projects
  • Resolution 04-21: Approving the 2021 Havenwood Park Landscape Plan
  • Resolution 05-21: Approving the 2021 Bicycle Friendly Bexley Plan

Recording of April 27th City Council Meeting

‘The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: Lessons and Legacies’ Event Recap

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Bexley Juneteenth Planning Committee hosted Dr. Karlos Hill on April 28th for a community presentation on the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. A recording of this event is available at the bottom of this post.

Tulsa’s Greenwood District, “Black Wall Street”, was one of the most affluent Black communities in America. However, on May 31 and June 1, 1921, a white mob attacked Greenwood, resulting in nearly every significant structure within the community being destroyed, and as many as 300 people were killed. Nearly 100 years later, the race massacre continues to reverberate. Dr. Hill’s presentation will discuss the history of the race massacre, the lessons history offers, and the current-day legacies that must be confronted.

Dr. Hill’s newly released book, The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: A Photographic History, examines this historic event through a range of photographs taken before, during and after the massacre. Published by the University of Oklahoma Press, it is available for purchase through Gramercy Books or to rent through Bexley Public Library. Dr. Karlos Hill, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies and founding director of African and African American Studies Distinguished Lecture Series at the University of Oklahoma.

This community program is made possible from support by the Bexley Community Foundation.

Recording of Virtual Event: Click the Image Below

Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Meeting on Thursday, April 22nd at 6:00 pm

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Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Meetings are currently being held on Zoom. Here’s how to access the upcoming meeting:

  • To join the Zoom Webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device, click here.
  • Or iPhone one-tap: US: +13126266799,,96600306347#
  • Or Telephone: US :+1 312 626 6799
  • Webinar ID: 966 0030 6347
  • To view full agendas and supporting documents, visit www.bexley.org/meetings

At the upcoming BZAP meeting, the following applications will be reviewed:

Address: 2404 Fair Avenue
Request: The Board is reconsidering its decision and Record of Action on February 25, 2021, for a Certificate of Appropriateness granted by the BZAP, for a 2-story addition to the principal structure that attaches it to the detached garage, and a variance granted from Bexley Code Section 1252.09 (R-6 Zoning) which requires a 25’ rear yard setback and an 8’ side yard setback, to allow a 2-story addition to connect the principal structure to the detached garage.

Address: 471 N. Parkview
Request: The applicant is seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1264.03(a) which limits a fence, wall or combination thereof shall no exceed seventy-two inches in height, to allow to allow an 8′ high (green) vinyl coated fence along the west and North property lines. The applicant is seeking approval to place a portion of the fence in the riparian setback along Alum Creek.
Note: Tabled February 25, 2021

Address: 2534 Brentwood
Request: The applicant is seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.15(g) Accessory Structures and uses shall be permitted only in the rear yard and shall be at least three feet from all property and right-of-way lines, to allow a swim spa in the west side yard.

Address: 254 Stanbery
Request: The applicant is seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness for new rear entrance porch. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.09 (R-3) which requires a 40’ rear yard setback, to allow rear porch addition to be constructed 34’ 11” from the rear (east) property line along Ashbourne Road.

Address: 705 Euclaire Avenue
Request: The applicant is seeking a Special Permit in accordance with Bexley Code Section 1264.03(b), which limits a fence on the street side of a corner lot to 48” in height, to allow a 6’ high fence along the north side yard along Mound Street.

Address: 2467 Sherwood Road
Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and a Certificate of Appropriateness for new detached garage. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.15 (e) & (f), to allow the second floor of the detached garage to exceed 10’, and total cubic feet of the 2nd floor to be more than 2/3 cubic feet of the first floor.

Address: 1075 Grandon Avenue
Request: The applicant is seeking a Special Permit from the Board of Zoning and Planning in accordance with Bexley Code Section 1264.02: No person shall erect any fence or wall in any residential zoning district, between the front yard setback line and the street. Except with the following exceptions: (c) Decorative landscaping walls and fences which exceed twenty-four inches in height above ground level but not more than forty-two inches above ground level may be allowed with a special permit from the Board of Zoning and Planning. To allow the applicant to install a 3.5’ high white picket fence in the front yard along Grandon and Livingston sides of the property.

Address: 2699 E. Main Street
Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval to allow modifications to the building for the new tenant: Carroll Dental. The modifications include: windows, roofing (slate to be maintained) change in building color, new awning, light fixtures and landscape improvements.

Rapid 5: Shaping the Future of Central Ohio

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RAPID 5 is a unique opportunity to create a shared vision for an integrated open space network to benefit our economy, manage growth, provide access for recreation, education, and health; preserve natural resources and environmental health.

This vision will create a cohesive plan for the improvement and development of the publicly owned land along five of Franklin county’s waterways. This plan is intended to be much more than a parks or greenspace master plan. It is a vision to reframe the connectivity of the region based on the natural geography defined by our waterways; to connect all Franklin County residents to the region’s natural resources, cultural, and economic resources for recreation, commuting, commerce, education, and relaxation.

Share your thoughts and opinions by taking the Rapid 5 survey.

At-Home COVID-19 Testing Kits Available

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The City of Bexley has COVID-19 rapid testing kits to distribute to symptomatic residents and those who have been exposed to COVID-19. These tests are recommended for individuals suspected of having COVID-19 within the first seven days of symptom onset, and discouraged for asymptomatic individuals and those who haven’t had a known exposure. This test should not be used within 90 days of a prior positive COVID test. Depending on need, test kit distribution may be expanded to those who are not experiencing symptoms at a later date. These are self-collected nasal swab tests that require access to both a smart phone and computer with internet access and camera. 

For students of Bexley City Schools, please contact the appropriate school nurse to request a test:

Cassingham Complex: 
Nurses Amy Poling and Terri Grace

Maryland Elementary:
Nurse Joann Spain

Montrose Elementary:
Nurse Cindy Tyson

If you are not a student and would like to request a testing kit, submit the form located on our website, www.bexley.org/coronavirus. Please remember that quarantine guidelines still apply and that one cannot test out of quarantine. Tests will be delivered to the address indicated as soon as possible after submission, Monday-Friday.

For residents without access to a smartphone or computer, alternative testing options are available through your primary care physician, Franklin County Public Health, and Bexley Urgent Care. Please contact these providers in advance. 

For questions, including information about other services available (masks, social services, financial assistance, etc.), contact the City’s Volunteer Coordinator, Elizabeth Ellman, at eellman@bexley.org or (614) 559-4200.

Summer 2021 Activity Brochure & Registration

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Bexley Recreation and Parks has released the 2021 Summer Brochure, which covers activities from April through July. The brochure is now posted online, where you may view and/or download a PDF file to view descriptions of activities and events. The brochure will not be delivered to homes during COVID-19.

Activity Registration
Bexley Resident registration opens on Monday, April 19th at 12:00 pm
Non-Bexley Resident registration opens on Wednesday, April 21st at 12:00 pm

To view activities and registration day tips, go to www.bexleyrec.com. You must have a new household account set up prior to registering for any activities. Please contact Bexley Recreation and Parks with questions at recreation@bexley.org or (614) 559-4300.

Franklin County Moves to Level 4 (Purple) on the Public Health Advisory System

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Governor DeWine announced today that Franklin County has moved to level purple (advisory level 4) within the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. The increasing number of new cases and COVID-19 related healthcare use (including emergency department, outpatient visits and hospitalizations) are being reported at a concerning rate. As stated by the Ohio Department of Health, major contributors to the trends we are seeing are the variants of COVID-19. We know the COVID-19 variants are more transmissible and cause serious illness and potentially death.

Residents should continue their normal and necessary activities such as school and work. However, we must continue to exercise vigilance and use the safety precautions available to us. This means avoiding groups, staying six feet away from others, wearing your mask, washing hands and getting the vaccine when it is your turn.

Vaccine appointments are available with Franklin County Public Health and many other providers. You can schedule an appointment now at gettheshot.corornavirus.ohio.gov. Today’s announcement is a call to action. It reminds us of the severity of COVID-19 and that the pandemic is far from over. The importance of hand washing, avoiding groups, wearing your mask and getting the COVID-19 vaccine cannot be emphasized enough. Please do your part, get vaccinated when you can, and continue to help us minimize the community spread of COVID-19.

Bexley Area Chamber Presents ‘Arbor Day Maple Mixology with the Mayor’

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Join the Bexley Chamber and Mayor Kessler for a virtual happy hour! Participants will receive a short lesson in mixology and hear an update on what’s shakin’ (not stirred) in Bexley.

Enjoy the Kelveden Cocktail from the comfort of your own home! A ticket to this event includes a cocktail kit with single servings of each ingredient you’ll need to make the drink. A limited supply of kits are available – purchase your ticket soon! Non-alcoholic options are available upon request.

The Kelveden Cocktail
High Bank Distillery’s ‘Whiskey War’
Bexley’s own Kelveden maple syrup
Dry curaçao
Aged bitters

The purchase of a ticket guarantees a kit. If you aren’t able to join the event at 5:00 pm, you will still be guaranteed a kit with instructions included. Click here to purchase your ticket today!