GoHilliard Brief: Mixed-Use Expansion at Cemetery & Lacon Roads

Executive Summary

On October 26, 2026, Hilliard City Council will consider Resolution 26-R-103, approving an amended Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concept Plan and text modifications for a 1.156-acre site at the southwest corner of Cemetery Road and Lacon Road (3855 Lacon Rd / 4445 Cemetery Rd). Initiated by Eric Bahgat (3855 Lacon LLC) in connection with Colorado Mountain Sports, the proposal transitions the site into a walkable, multi-story mixed-use node featuring retail, dining, and upper-story residential living. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval (5–0) on October 8, 2026.

Project Overview & Key Metrics

• Location & Acreage: 1.156 acres (50,358 sq. ft.) across four parcels (Lots 227–231, Easthill Acres Subdivision).
• Current Status: Existing retail footprint of 1,950 sq. ft. (Colorado Mountain Sports) plus an approved Phase 2 addition of 1,680 sq. ft.
• Proposed Phase 3 Construction:
  • East Building (Three Stories): 7,735 sq. ft. footprint featuring 5,200 sq. ft. of ground-floor commercial space (configured for up to four tenant bays), upper-floor apartments (8 studios, 4 two-bedroom units), an integrated ~2,800 sq. ft. private residence, and private garage parking.
  • West Building (Three Stories): 3,275 sq. ft. footprint featuring 2,520 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail/event space (conceptually slated for a wine bar/restaurant) with 4 two-bedroom units on floors two and three.
  • Total New Commercial: 7,720 sq. ft.
  • Total Residential: 17 units (8 studios ranging from 508–612 sq. ft., 8 two-bedroom units ranging from 955–1,760 sq. ft., and 1 multi-level private residence).
  • Total Site Footprint: 14,640 sq. ft. (~29.1% lot coverage).
• Parking & Circulation:
  • Standard city code would mandate ~67 spaces for this density and use mix.
  • The amended text establishes a minimum threshold of 45 off-street parking spaces, while the applicant’s site plan outlines up to 57 total spaces (44 surface stalls, 8 parallel spaces, and 5 garage spaces).
  • Access will be provided from Lacon Road and Lacon Circle, with a required vehicular cross-access easement connecting to the commercial parcel to the west.

Regulatory Adjustments & Conditions of Approval

The site falls within the Hilliard Community Plan’s designated “Urban Mixed-Use” character area, which calls for 2- to 6-story vertical integration and shallow 0- to 20-foot setbacks. Because the existing legacy PUD text capped heights at 2 stories and mandated deep suburban setbacks (50 ft. along Cemetery Road, 20–30 ft. on Lacon, and 50 ft. adjacent to residential properties), Council action reconciles the zoning text with the comprehensive plan:

1. Text Harmonization: Formalizes deviations for building heights (permitting 3 stories / ~42 ft.), reduced front and side setbacks, and modified perimeter landscaping/buffering per Hilliard Code Section 1125.
2. Parking Reduction: Formally locks in the 45-space minimum standard for mixed uses on this site.
3. Critical Utility Constraints: The City Engineer flagged that all building footings, foundations, and excavations must remain outside the sanitary sewer easement along Lacon Road. The developer is also required to protect the existing 10-inch sanitary sewer main via pre- and post-construction televising, load testing (dead/live loads), and manhole-to-manhole sewer lining to eliminate inflow and infiltration.
4. Final Plan Sunset: A Final Development Plan must be submitted and approved within 12 months of Concept Plan adoption; otherwise, the site reverts to current landscaping and screening requirements under the previous approval.

GoHilliard Take: Urban Mixed-Use Infill

• Corridor Modernization Over Strip Retail: This project serves as an early pilot for how Hilliard’s Community Plan envisions transforming the Cemetery Road corridor. Rather than preserving single-story commercial pads fronted by asphalt seas, this infill project introduces vertical density, rooftop decks, and pedestrian-oriented street frontages to an underutilized corner.
• Micro-Density Absorption: Delivering 17 residential units provides high-value missing-middle housing directly above neighborhood-serving commercial space. Studio and two-bedroom floor plates directly adjacent to Old Hilliard retail corridors meet emerging demand profiles without overburdening local road infrastructure.
• Sewer and Site Logistics Will Dictate Timing: The 12-month clock to achieve Final Development Plan approval means the engineering phase must immediately resolve sanitary sewer clearances and cross-access easements. Execution will depend on balancing the tight 1.15-acre footprint with utility offsets and the delivery of 45+ stalls.

Implementation Next Steps

1. Hilliard City Council Vote: Official hearing and vote on Resolution 26-R-103 scheduled for October 26, 2026.
2. Civil & Structural Submittals: Complete sanitary main load calculations, utility easement offsets, and cross-access documentation for engineering review.
3. Final Development Plan (FDP): Final architectural elevation detailing, stormwater compliance (Hilliard Design Manual Chapter 7), and Section 1125 landscape buffering submittal within the 12-month statutory window.