ONTARIO — Richland County residents may be able to celebrate Independence Day with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

Ontario zoning inspector Benji Hall announced in his annual report to City Council Wednesday that Raising Cane’s representatives told him they hope to open the new local location in July.

“I just talked with them this week and they’re on track — hoping for an opening date of July 4 weekend,” Hall said.

The location will be at 720 N. Lexington-Springmill Road, site of the former Denny’s.

Work crews at the future Raising Cane’s site the morning of Feb. 6.

Raising Cane’s public relations senior manager Hannah Henderson previously told Richland Source the company usually hires more than 100 employees between full- and part-time positions.

It was Hall’s first annual report after being appointed Ontario’s zoning inspector in October. It also included a number of other business updates, including:

— Construction for a Starbucks near Home Depot is on track to finish in June.

— Avita’s comprehensive cancer center plans to begin construction in the former Sears building at The Ontario Center.

Councilman Dave Rehfeldt asked for an update on Moment Development, which proposed a multi-use project north of the Cinemark theater. It is planned to include a hotel, green space, apartments, restaurants and office space. 

The city’s planning commission first approved the developer’s proposal for City Council’s review in November 2022. A Home2 Suites hotel was the first development approved for construction.

previous coverage of ontario city council

Service-Safety Director Adam Gongwer said he, Mayor Kris Knapp and Hall last spoke with the Columbus-based real estate developer about three months ago.

“They told us they were moments away from getting the bond needed for the tremendous size of the stormwater retention basin needed for that development — they needed a $1 million bond in order to move forward with construction,” Gongwer said.

“We can certainly call and check in. Everything’s been approved, we’re just waiting for them to come up with a finance bond,” he said.

Council also read the proposed resolution establishing a Community Investment Corporation in the city of Ontario for the second time. It is due for a third reading and vote at the Feb. 19 meeting.

Residential gas customers to see change after March

Gongwer also reported that the company City Council agreed to enter an aggregation program with beginning in March have since said they were “unable to fulfill the commitment of the contract.”

“We hadn’t signed the contract yet, and our broker suggested we go back to Columbia Gas and we’ll requote long-term rates in summer or fall,” Gongwer said.

The service-safety director said residents should receive more information in their next water bills. Those currently on the aggregate program will see Columbia Gas as both the producer and supplier after the current aggregate program expires next month.

Gongwer said the city will look for other aggregation providers and hope to give residents an aggregate option by the fall.

Also on Wednesday:

  • Council announced a notice of a public hearing March 5 at 7 p.m. regarding the proposal to remove mini warehouses from the city’s design standards of conditionally allowable uses in the business district. Council members previously discussed this measure in January. The public hearing will be in council chambers at 555 Stumbo Road North.
  • Knapp reminded the public of veteran banner submission openings for veterans who live in the City of Ontario, Springfield Township or the Ontario School District. Nominations can also be for school alumni or Ontario natives that have since moved. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28.
  • The personnel committee met in executive session at 5:30 p.m. before caucus to discuss negotiations and compensation for elected officials.
  • Law Director Andrew Medwid told council it would need an engineering study before making a decision on decreasing the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on Mabee Road. It’s now 35 mph. Mabee Road has previously been suggested as a location for one of the police department’s digital speed signs. 
  • Knapp said he brought up the idea of downgrading the hillside near a stop sign at the Home and Walker Lake roads intersection to the City of Mansfield and Richland County Regional Planning. Regional planning is considering a traffic study at the intersection.

Ball State journalism alumna. Passionate about sharing stories, making good coffee and finding new music. You can reach me at grace@richlandsource.com.