West Chester Twp. weighs development options

Township trustees want Union Centre corridor development to balance business, community needs.

West Chester Twp. trustees are considering zoning changes and future development options for roughly 3,200 acres along the Union Centre Boulevard corridor.
The township placed a 14-month moratorium on development in October 2025 to study opportunities within the area, which stretches between Cincinnati-Dayton Road and Ohio 747.
During the moratorium, the township has paused reviewing or approving new zoning certificates, building permits, subdivision plats, site plans and other development requests.
After feedback from business owners and brokers in December, trustees revised the moratorium to make it less restrictive.
The updated rules allow building expansions of up to 60% of existing structures, tenant improvements that do not expand a building footprint and certain exterior changes such as signage, fencing and approved project modifications.
Township Administrator Lisa Brown previously said the pause was necessary, noting that only about 12% to 13% of land in West Chester remains available for development.
“We have to be more strategic,” Brown said.
To guide that effort, the township hired Columbus-based planning and urban design firm MKSK in March to study the corridor.

The firm has worked on major projects including Columbus’ Arena District and riverfront redevelopment plans in Cleveland and Chattanooga.
MKSK presented preliminary findings to trustees May 12 after analyzing existing conditions, zoning codes, demographics and stakeholder feedback.
The study area covers about five square miles — roughly 15% of the township — and includes 744 businesses, about 1,500 housing units and roughly 2,500 residents.
About 413 acres of commercial land remain undeveloped.
According to MKSK Associate Principal Katie Clark, the corridor’s current development pattern largely supports industrial uses and through traffic, with less emphasis on community-oriented spaces. Large building setbacks and expansive parking lots have created an auto-centric environment.
Trustees discussed how future development could better balance business growth, community needs and increasing visitor traffic.
Trustee Amanda Ortiz said she wants to ensure new development does not undermine existing investments, particularly in the southeast portion of the corridor near the Streets of West Chester.
“I want to make sure we are not cannibalizing some of the other businesses that have invested in that area,” Ortiz said.
She also emphasized improving connectivity between different parts of the corridor, which she described as divided into “quadrants” by Interstate 75 and Union Centre Boulevard.
“I really want this to be an area where people come and stay … but it has to be done right,” Ortiz said, noting the need for more pedestrian connections such as sidewalks or crosswalks.
Trustee President Ann Becker said balancing the needs of residents, businesses and visitors will be key as the township grows.
She pointed to a 5% increase in visitors to West Chester in 2025 as an example of changing demand.
“West Chester’s always been where families grow and businesses prosper,” Becker said. “Now it’s not just our residents and businesses, it’s also people coming up the highway.”
MKSK’s initial recommendations include refining zoning regulations to guide future development.
Suggested concepts include creating a commercial gateway near Ohio 747 and UnionCentre Boulevard, expanding a downtown or regional center to attract economic activity and tourism and developing complementary commercial uses along the corridor.
One proposed focal point is an expanded mixed-use “downtown” area south of Beckett Park, featuring a blend of retail, office and entertainment, similar to Bridge Park in Dublin.
The firm also recommended using planned unitdevelopments, or PUDs, which allow more flexible, mixed-use designs tailored to specific sites.
Trustees will now provide input on planning themes as the study moves into its next phase, which deliver a more comprehensive planning process for the future of the area as a whole, according to township documents.
That is expected to be complete around the end of June.
The moratorium is scheduled to remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2026.
The study area is generally bounded by Ohio 747 to the west, Interstate 75 to the east, Muhlhauser, Allen and East Crescentville roads to the south, and West Chester Road, Union Centre Boulevard, Smith Road and Lakota Drive West to the north.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Union Centre Boulevard corridor is roughly 3,200 acres of land between Cincinnati-Dayton Road and Ohio 747. The area has been under a development moratorium since October 2025. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF