Groveport approves large development, drawing concerns of school crowding

GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) -- Groveport City Council unanimously approved rezoning 295 acres of farmland into a high-density residential area.

The approval paves the way for Cleveland-based real estate company Addison Properties to build its proposed Addison Groveport development at the southeast corner of Ebright and Sims roads. The development could bring 2,000 additional residents to Groveport, a city of around 6,000. See previous coverage of the development in the video player above.

The development will be built on land annexed by Groveport from Madison Township in August. The area is near Anduril's new manufacturing plant, which promises to bring 4,000 new jobs, Ohio's single-largest job creation project to date. However, at the council meeting, multiple concerned residents spoke out against the Addison Groveport development, citing overcrowding concerns in local schools and the loss of local farmland.

Groveport Madison Schools serves Groveport, Madison Township and portions of Columbus, Obetz, Canal Winchester and Reynoldsburg. With around 6,200 students, the district's population is similar to all of Groveport. The district projects to increase enrollment by about 10% over the next 10 years, but levy requests to fund a larger student body have failed.

Groveport Director of Development Michael Loges presented to Groveport Madison's Board of Education the day after the city approved the development. Board members Libby Gray and Kathleen Walsh said they were "disappointed" that the city did not reach out to them before giving the approval. Gray asked if the city would contribute to additional classroom space or transportation but were told the city cannot allocate funds for that.

"If we knew this was coming down the pipeline, we could've decided to go ahead and put the bond on for new buildings anticipating this, and now that has put us in a really bad situation of being able to do that," Gray said. "Now we've lost that opportunity."

Loges said the city does not consult with the district in its typical development approval process, although they did connect with Superintendent James Grube. Grube was then asked why he did not share details with the board and answered "no reason." Board member John Kershner said it may also be on the board to reach out to the city.

Gray said it is "more than likely" that they will need to build a new school with this development. Loges also said this development is likely the first of several.

According to the Addison Groveport development statement, the land will be used for single-family homes, townhomes, apartments and a "small commercial component." Loges said the development is "mixed-use" so the city can attract investments like data centers.

Loges said the development will happen in stages due to costs and environmental concerns. It will still need to have utility work approved, but Loges said he expects construction to begin in mid-2027. He said the full build out will likely take around 10 years.