Powell · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Powell public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Citywide sign inventory reveals non-compliant signs
A year-long inventory of all 3,133 Powell street signs found 286 that don't meet federal night-visibility standards, including 96 that need full replacement. The city will phase in fixes and is weighing a new private-to-public sign policy — including whether HOAs pay part of the cost for neighborhood signs and how to store the different sign types.
Carriage Road improvements and roundabout planning
The city wants to lead design of a new roundabout at a busy, unsafe intersection near the schools, partnering with Liberty Township and Delaware County to chase state grant money. Residents have repeatedly asked for a pedestrian crossing there.
2026 Street and Path Maintenance Program
About 70% of sidewalk damage comes from tree roots. With a new certified arborist on staff, the board will help pre-assess trees before panel replacement and flag invasive pears along the Powell Road shared-use path.
Sidewalk clearance and pedestrian safety
Low-hanging branches over sidewalks — some under five feet — clip kids on bikes and walkers. The board wants quick fixes on the worst offenders while the bigger pruning plan develops.
Scioto Street Extension bridge type
Councilmember Carlson argued the five-year plan is incomplete without the long-planned Susan Lane public street connection, which ties into the Scioto Street extension and a future roundabout at Powell Road. Officials are preserving the connection in development talks with the Equity project.
Delaware County Transit expansion and 0.2% sales tax proposal
DCT wants voters to approve a 0.2% county sales tax in November to fund a Powell microtransit zone, an express commuter bus to Columbus, and seven service expansions over five years. Trips could jump from 225,000 to 750,000 annually.
Home and Steitz Pedestrian Crossing
After a decade of requests, the city awarded an $81,674 emergency contract to finally add a safe marked crossing of Home Road at Steitz Road, connecting the shared-use path network before school resumes.
Traffic blocking at Powell Road and Bartholomew Run
A Bartholomew Run resident said cars routinely block his neighborhood's entrance at Home Road, in violation of state law. Staff are installing a do-not-block-intersection sign, delayed by utility-locate paperwork, and he suggested flashing signals or officers during peak times.
CSX crossing damage and Village Club Drive signal timing
A large pothole at the seldom-seen CSX crossing is frustrating drivers, but the full crossing replacement project is already funded with materials on site — the city is pressing CSX for a temporary patch. Separately, staff are investigating the long light at Village Club Drive, and a left-turn arrow there would need county approval.