Aaron Glasgow – City Council Candidate

What motivated you to run at this moment in Westerville’s development?
I believe that Westerville is at a crossroads. Our city is experiencing the challenges and opportunities that come with substantial regional growth, and the decisions we make now will shape Westerville’s character and quality of life for many years. I believe this is a critical time for thoughtful, experienced leadership that understands both the practical and the personal sides of community development. This is why I am running to serve for four more years on City Council.

As a lifelong resident, I feel a strong duty to give back to the community that has given me so much. My professional experience, which includes over 20 years as an attorney representing cities, villages, and school districts around Ohio, has given me a deep understanding of how strong local governments works. And my nearly 10 years of service on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission have grounded me in the real-world issues facing our residents and businesses in Westerville.

Effective local leaders need more than just a love for Westerville; they must know Westerville, including its history, its people, and its values, and have the judgment to make balanced, informed decisions. I’m running to ensure that as we grow, we do so in a way that preserves the qualities that make Westerville unique while preparing responsibly for its future.

What have you heard from residents that’s challenged or reshaped how you view the city’s priorities?
What I have heard most often from residents is that they are genuinely proud of Westerville. They are proud of our vibrant Uptown District, our outstanding park system, and our City’s strong financial footing. That positive feedback reinforces that, in many ways, we’re on the right track.

But residents have also expressed growing concerns about the pace of development and the potential problems that can come with unchecked growth, particularly when it comes to maintaining public safety, managing traffic, and preserving the character that makes Westerville special.

As we plan for the future, growth must be guided, not simply allowed to happen. We need to ensure that our infrastructure, public services, and safety resources keep pace with that growth. We also need to have a modern zoning code that recognizes the interests of both current and future residents. My approach will continue to focus on responsible development that will support the financial health of the City while also preserving the character of the City.

What do you believe Westerville needs to hold onto as it continues to grow?
As Westerville continues to grow, we must hold onto the qualities that make this city special. Westerville is a haven, a safe, welcoming, and connected community where people look out for one another. We’re also a City Within a Park, and that commitment to green space, walkability, and thoughtful planning should remain at the heart of our identity.

Just as importantly, Westerville has a proud tradition of forging its own path, whether that means taking bold positions on challenging issues, or finding local, common sense solutions rather than simply following current trends. As we move forward, we need to make sure that progress strengthens our identity rather than erases it.

We also have to hold onto our long-standing tradition of fiscal responsibility. Westerville has been well managed for decades because leaders and residents alike have taken seriously the duty to be good stewards of taxpayer funds. Sound financial management allows us to provide excellent services, maintain high-quality infrastructure, and invest in our future.

How do you approach decisions that create winners and losers, like development projects that benefit one part of the city over another?
When it comes to decisions that can create “winners and losers,” like development projects that benefit one part of the city more than another, my goal will always to avoid outcomes where anyone in our community feels like a “loser.” Westerville has always balanced progress with fairness, and I believe that thoughtful planning and community engagement can help ensure that growth benefits everyone.

My approach to these kinds of decisions is to move carefully and deliberately, and only after I am fully informed about all the benefits and potential consequences, after I have heard from all stakeholders, and after I am confident that the decision serves the best interests of the entire community. Development should enhance the city as a whole, not just one neighborhood or one group of residents. Transparency in decision-making and listening to the community goes a long way.

That said, I also recognize that some projects can have uneven impacts. In those cases, I believe the City has a responsibility to look for ways to mitigate or offset those burdens. Whether that means investing in infrastructure, improving services, or finding other ways to support affected neighborhoods, my goal is always to ensure that Westerville continues to grow in a way that is equitable, inclusive, and true to our community’s values.

What does a balanced approach to growth look like to you?
To me, a balanced approach to growth starts with transparency and meaningful input, from the whole community, as well as from experts and City staff who understand the details and long-term implications of development decisions. Growth is not something that should happen to a community; it should happen with a community.

Once that information is gathered, it’s essential to weigh both the financial and social benefits of a potential development against its impact on the character of the City, the stress it may place on infrastructure and city services, and any potential issues related to public safety. A balanced approach means looking beyond short-term gains to consider what kind of community we are shaping for the next generation.

Responsible, smart growth can permanently change a community for the better. Unchecked growth, or growth for its own sake, can just as easily do lasting harm. Effective city leaders need the experience, judgment, and patience to know the difference, and to make decisions that preserve what makes Westerville special while ensuring that it continues to thrive well into the future.

When you think about the East of Africa project, what’s your biggest hope—and your biggest concern?
The East of Africa project represents a tremendous opportunity for Westerville. This 88-acre site, which is owned by the City and zoned for commercial use, gives us the chance to shape development in a way that aligns with our long-term goal of being an economically self-sufficient community. East of Africa is consistent with a policy that has successfully guided economic development decisions in Westerville for over 50 years.

My biggest hope is that residents recognize how important the success of this project is to preserving and advancing Westerville for everyone. A well-planned commercial development here can strengthen our local economy, create jobs, and generate the resources that fund the services, parks, and infrastructure that make Westerville such a great place to live.

That being said, my biggest concern is ensuring that the businesses and uses that ultimately locate on these parcels are compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods and consistent with the character of our community. As both a member of City Council and the Planning Commission, I take seriously the responsibility to review each step carefully, to insist on thoughtful design, and to make sure this development does not negatively impact surrounding neighborhoods and the Westerville community as a whole. With deliberate planning and strong and sustained community input, I’m confident the East of Africa project can be a success that benefits all of Westerville.

How do you respond to residents who feel that older neighborhoods are being left behind?
I understand and share the concern that older neighborhoods deserve continued investment and attention. In fact, it is a concern that I hear expressly often while discussing development issues with current residents. Westerville’s established neighborhoods are the foundation of Westerville’s identity and vitality, and ensuring that they remain strong, safe, and welcoming is essential to a balanced approach to community development.

That’s why I supported the creation of a $2.5 million grant program to help homeowners in older neighborhoods make necessary home repairs, which is an initiative designed specifically to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and help longtime residents stay in their homes. This kind of reinvestment strengthens neighborhoods, supports stability, and maintains the character that makes Westerville unique.

At the same time, I believe the City’s ongoing planning efforts must continue to prioritize infrastructure in these areas, including streets, sidewalks, utilities, and parks, just as much as we focus on commercial or new development elsewhere in the city. I believe that investing in our established neighborhoods is as important as building new ones, which will be a priority in my next term on City Council.

What’s one way you would bring more public insight or influence into large-scale planning decisions?
Public influence starts with making sure residents actually know what’s happening with development in Westerville. The best decisions come from open communication, and that means making planning and zoning processes easy to follow and easy to engage with. Every decision about zoning, planning, and development in Westerville is made in the public. As both a Councilmember and a member of the Planning Commission, I’m committed to keeping it that way.

I’ll continue to support and strengthen the City’s efforts to provide clear, timely notice of upcoming development matters and to host informational sessions where residents can ask questions and share feedback before decisions are made. I also believe we can make better use of technology to expand access by putting more materials, renderings, and timelines online in a way that’s simple to navigate.

Finally, I will continue to make myself personally available to residents and stakeholders at regular, posted times to discuss any questions or concerns, including development issues. My goal is to ensure that residents not only have access to information, but also feel genuinely heard in shaping the future of our city.

How do you see the city’s current zoning code affecting the range of housing types available, including for first-time buyers and renters?
Zoning regulations have a tremendous impact on the range and affordability of housing options in any community, and Westerville is no exception. For many years, our zoning code has reflected traditional development patterns, which are primarily single-family neighborhoods, which has to some degree limited opportunities for more diverse and affordable housing types that can meet the needs of first-time buyers, renters, and downsizing residents alike.

That is why the City has already begun the process of updating our zoning code to remove unnecessary barriers to creative housing solutions, such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and other flexible residential models. This update, which will continue over the next few years, is designed to make the zoning process more streamlined and predictable, so that developers can more easily create a wider variety of housing options that fit within Westerville’s character.

At the same time, we have to be responsive to residents who want affordable alternatives to the traditional subdivision model, with homes and neighborhoods that still reflect Westerville’s quality and identity. These are among the issues I plan to focus on in my next term, ensuring that Westerville remains both a desirable and an accessible place to call home.

How should city leaders weigh resident identity and neighborhood character against financial returns?
Economic development is vital to maintaining the strength and stability of our community. It pays for vital city services, provides jobs, and helps keep Westerville a desirable place to live and work. But financial returns do not define our success or our identity. When the pursuit of financial growth erodes the character of our neighborhoods, displaces residents, or undermines what makes Westerville special, this is not progress. It’s a loss to the City and its residents.

Balance is essential. As city leaders, we have to make decisions that both sustain our economy and protect our community’s identity. Every development proposal should be evaluated not just on its financial impact, but on how it aligns with our shared values and vision for Westerville’s future. The goal should always be to promote responsible growth that strengthens our fiscal position without sacrificing the qualities that make this city feel like home.

What kind of partnership should exist between council and residents, not just legally, but in spirit?
At its core, the partnership between City Council and residents should be built on trust, transparency, and respect. Legally, council members are elected to make decisions on behalf of the community, but in spirit, we are here first and foremost to be the voice of residents in the operation of the city. That means listening carefully, communicating openly, and ensuring that every decision reflects the values and priorities of the people who live here.

Equally important, council members must serve as good stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to us. Residents work hard to fund their local government, and they deserve to know that their money is being managed responsibly, efficiently, and for the public good. When council and residents share a relationship rooted in accountability, mutual respect, and shared purpose, the city thrives, not just as a government, but as a true community.

What would success look like for you as a council member, in both policy and relationships?
Success as a council member can be viewed on a few different levels. On one level, it’s measured by the traditional metrics: maintaining the City’s strong financial position, ensuring steady and thoughtful economic growth, and continuing to provide the high quality public safety and city services that residents rightly expect. These are the fundamentals of good governance, and they form the foundation for everything else we do.

Specifically, I would focus on the progress in the East of Africa project, the redevelopment of various areas around the City, including South State Street, support for our established neighborhoods, bolstering traffic safety measures around the City, and making sure the City has policies that are inclusive for all current and future residents.

On another level, though, success for me is more personal and relational. It’s about whether residents feel like they’ve been heard and represented, that when they bring a concern or idea forward, their council member listens, engages, and works to be their voice in shaping the City’s future. I want people to feel confident that decisions are being made with their best interests in mind.

Ultimately, I believe success is measured by how well we, as a community, can move forward together, embracing growth and opportunity while preserving the character and traditions that make Westerville such a special place to live and work. It’s about progress that respects our past and strengthens our sense of community for the future.

What do you want future residents to thank this council for?
With respect, I don’t believe that City Council members should want or expect thanks for what they do on Council, whether from current residents or from those in the future. Every member of this community contributes to Westerville’s success in their own way, either through their work, their volunteerism, their support for local businesses, and their engagement in civic life. Council is simply one piece of that larger partnership that contributes to moving Westerville into the future. My hope for that future residents will view this Council’s actions, from economic development to public safety to the parks, as consistent with the long tradition of smart, forward thinking governance that makes Westerville a great place to live.

Instead of thanks, what I would hope is that future residents feel informed and connected, and that they understand how their city works, feel comfortable reaching out to their elected representatives, and trust that their voices matter in shaping the future of Westerville. If residents feel that their concerns are heard, their values are reflected in our decisions, and their aspirations for this community are achievable, then I think this Council will have done its job well.

What was not asked in this questionnaire that needs to be answered?
One of the issues that has been raised in this election cycle is the proper role of City Council.

Westerville has always been a community defined by its willingness to lead, not one to adhere to some predetermined lane or path. Throughout our history, this City has chosen to face challenges directly and with vision. From its early stand for integrated education, to its leadership in the temperance movement, to its active role in the abolition of slavery, Westerville has consistently been a place where people believe that doing what’s right often means doing what’s bold. That legacy of forward thinking is part of our past, and it’s in the DNA of our community. This approach, continued over 150 years, is what has made Westerville a leading community in Central Ohio. Even today, other cities look to Westerville as a model, as a community that creates the path that other communities follow. When Westerville implements a new policy or program, it’s often seen as a proof of concept, as evidence that thoughtful, community-centered innovation can work. That reputation is something we have earned through generations of responsible, values-driven leadership.

My view of the proper role of City Council is to continue in that same tradition, to approach the challenges and opportunities facing our City with both courage and care, and take actions that are right because they are right, not because that “that’s how things have always been done.” Council’s role is to lead with foresight, to listen to residents and experts alike, and to make informed, balanced decisions that preserve the special character of Westerville while positioning our community for long-term success.

I want to thank Gary Gardiner and the Westerville News for the opportunity to answer this questionnaire, for their continued work as a singular local news source for the City of Westerville, and for their coverage of the upcoming election.