Megan Reamsnyder – City Council Candidate

What motivated you to run at this moment in Westerville’s development?
Westerville is at a pivotal point in its growth in balancing the charm and connectedness that make it special with the realities of a rapidly growing region. I’m running for reelection because I want to ensure that as we grow, we do so thoughtfully, inclusively, and in a way that keeps Westerville a place where everyone feels at home.

Having served on Council for the past several years, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions made now will shape the next generation of our community in how we manage housing, development, and infrastructure, and how we maintain the strong sense of belonging that defines Westerville. I’m motivated to continue this work because I believe we can grow while preserving what makes us unique: a safe, welcoming, and connected community where residents of all ages and backgrounds can thrive.

What have you heard from residents that’s challenged or reshaped how you view the city’s priorities?
One of the things I’ve heard consistently from residents, especially in established neighborhoods, is concern that growth and investment are happening unevenly across the city. Hearing those perspectives has really reinforced for me the importance of ensuring that as we plan for the future, we’re also reinvesting in and maintaining our existing neighborhoods.

I’ve also been reminded how differently residents experience city services depending on where they live and what stage of life they’re in. For some, street safety and walkability are top of mind; for others, it’s housing affordability or access to green space. Those conversations have shaped how I think about equity in city priorities. Not just offering great services, but making sure those services reach every corner of Westerville and every kind of household.

Ultimately, listening to residents has deepened my belief that growth must go hand in hand with the preservation of our neighborhoods, our connections, and the sense of belonging that makes Westerville home.

What do you believe Westerville needs to hold onto as it continues to grow?
As Westerville continues to grow, we need to hold onto the sense of connection and belonging that has always defined this community. Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings change and it’s essential that we preserve the character, accessibility, and neighborliness that make Westerville feel like home.

That means continuing to invest in our neighborhoods, support local businesses, and create spaces where people can come together, whether that’s a park, a festival, or a sidewalk café in Uptown. It also means maintaining the spirit of civic engagement that has long set Westerville apart, where residents don’t just live here, but actively shape the direction of their city.

At its core, what makes Westerville special isn’t any one program or policy, it’s the people. As we welcome new residents and new opportunities, we must hold onto the inclusive, community-first values that have guided us for generations.

How do you approach decisions that create winners and losers, like development projects that benefit one part of the city over another?
Every decision we make as a council member involves weighing tradeoffs, and development is often where those tradeoffs are most visible. My approach starts with transparency & communication, making sure residents understand not only what a project is, but why it’s being considered and how it fits into the broader vision for the city.

When a project benefits one area more directly than another, I look at how we can ensure the overall impact strengthens the city as a whole. That might mean pairing new investment in one corridor with reinvestment or infrastructure improvements in another, or ensuring that economic growth in one area helps sustain the services and programs that benefit all residents.

I also believe in listening early and often, before plans are finalized, so residents have a voice in shaping outcomes, not just reacting to them. Fair decision-making doesn’t mean every project will please everyone, but it should always reflect a thoughtful balance between long-term community goals and the day-to-day realities of the people who live here.

What does a balanced approach to growth look like to you?
A balanced approach to growth means managing development in a way that welcomes new opportunities while preserving what residents already love about Westerville. It’s about thoughtful planning and making sure growth aligns with our community values, infrastructure capacity, and long-term vision.

Balance starts with ensuring we have a diverse mix of housing options for residents at every stage of life, while also protecting the character of our existing neighborhoods. It also means pairing new development with investments in infrastructure, parks, and public safety, so that every part of the city benefits from growth, not just the areas where it happens.

Growth done with the community, not to it, leads to smarter, more sustainable outcomes. When we balance innovation with preservation, and economic progress with inclusivity, we strengthen the foundation that makes Westerville such a vibrant and connected place to live.

When you think about the East of Africa project, what’s your biggest hope—and your biggest concern?
My biggest hope for the East of Africa project is that it becomes a vibrant, well planned space that strengthens the local economy and offers new, unique opportunities within the city. I also hope the project thoughtfully preserves the historic Sharp House, maintaining a tangible connection to our city’s heritage.

My biggest concern is that, like any large development, it could create unintended impacts on traffic, neighborhood character, or biodiversity if not carefully planned and managed. I want to ensure that as this project moves forward, we prioritize thoughtful development standards, resident input, and long-term sustainability. Ideally, the revenue generated from the project can be leveraged to support the city’s ongoing excellent services and enhance our parks, ensuring that all residents benefit from thoughtful growth.

In short, I hope we can achieve a development that honors Westerville’s character, preserves our history, strengthens our community, and helps fund the services and spaces that make our city such a great place to live.

How do you respond to residents who feel that older neighborhoods are being left behind?
I hear those concerns, and they’re very real. Growth and new development are exciting, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of the neighborhoods that have long been the heart of Westerville. My approach is to ensure that older neighborhoods receive the attention, investment, and maintenance they need to remain safe, vibrant, and connected.

That means supporting programs like our Housing Pilot Program, which helps residents make critical home repairs without financial strain, investing in infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes, and maintaining open channels for residents to voice concerns and priorities. I also advocate for thoughtful reinvestment strategies so that as the city grows, every neighborhood benefits—not just the areas experiencing new development.

In short, older neighborhoods are not “left behind” when we listen, plan, and invest equitably across the entire city, ensuring that all residents feel supported, valued, and connected to the Westerville community.

What’s one way you would bring more public insight or influence into large-scale planning decisions?
I believe we can strengthen public engagement by making it easier for residents to access and understand information about major city projects. The city already maintains valuable online resources like social media, project webpages, and planning documents with details, timelines, and maps, but many residents aren’t aware of where to find them.

I’d like to look at how we can better utilize these existing resources and increase their visibility across our communication channels, such as social media, newsletters, and community event outreach. By expanding the reach of tools we already have and exploring new, creative outlets for communication, we can make public participation more transparent, inclusive, and convenient for all residents whether they attend meetings in person or engage online.

How do you see the city’s current zoning code affecting the range of housing types available, including for first-time buyers and renters?
While Westerville’s zoning code has a large influence on what can be built, the range of housing types is also shaped by market demand and what developers bring forward. The zoning code can help facilitate more diverse housing by making it easier to build options like townhomes, duplexes, and accessory dwelling units, and we should explore ways to do that in the future.

At the same time, the zoning code plays an important role in preserving neighborhood character, maintaining safety standards, and protecting green space, which are values residents care deeply about. The challenge is finding the right balance: updating zoning to allow for greater housing diversity while protecting the qualities that make our neighborhoods livable and desirable.

By thoughtfully revisiting and modernizing both our zoning policies and our community plan, we can ensure they align with the city’s long-term goals and evolving housing needs. Doing so will help expand housing options, support a diverse population at all stages of life, and ensure that Westerville remains a desirable place to live.

How should city leaders weigh resident identity and neighborhood character against financial returns?
City leaders have a responsibility to balance the economic benefits of development with the values and character that make neighborhoods unique. Financial returns are important because they fund public services, infrastructure, and parks. But they don’t need to come at the expense of the identity, history, or quality of life in our communities.

I believe the best approach is to view development decisions through a lens of long-term community benefit. That means engaging residents early, understanding their priorities, and ensuring that new projects enhance the character of the city rather than erode it. Thoughtful planning can achieve both: supporting economic growth while preserving the sense of place, inclusivity, and belonging that residents value.

What kind of partnerships should exist between council and residents, not just legally, but in spirit?
The partnership between council and residents should be rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose. In spirit, it should feel like a true collaboration—where residents are informed, engaged, and empowered to help shape their community, and where council listens, responds, and leads with integrity.

That connection begins with council members being active and visible in the community—showing up, listening, and experiencing firsthand what’s happening and where the needs are. When council members participate in community life, they build the relationships and understanding needed to make better, more responsive decisions.

Ultimately, the partnership should reflect a shared belief that we’re all working toward the same goal: a city that reflects the hopes, values, and well-being of the people who call it home.

What would success look like for you as a council member, in both policy and relationships?
Success, to me, is measured in both tangible outcomes and the strength of the relationships that make those outcomes possible. On the policy side, success means creating and supporting initiatives that make Westerville safer, more inclusive, and more connected. This includes programs and policies that help residents stay in their homes, expand housing options, enhance parks and public spaces, and ensure the city is prepared for thoughtful growth.

Equally important is the relational side. Success means fostering trust and open communication with residents, colleagues, and community partners. It’s about listening actively, collaborating across differences, and ensuring that residents feels heard, valued, and included in the decisions that shape our city.

Ultimately, success is when the policies we implement improve daily life for all residents and when relationships built on respect and trust make Westerville a stronger, more united community.

What do you want future residents to thank this council for?
The greatest “thanks” is when residents can see that their city is thriving, sustainable, and thoughtfully led. If future residents can live, work, and play here with ease, optimism, and a genuine sense of belonging, then we will have fulfilled our responsibility as stewards of this community.

I hope future residents to feel the positive impacts of a council who had the foresight and courage to make thoughtful, long-term decisions that strengthened the foundation of our community. That means ensuring Westerville remains a place where people feel secure, connected, and proud to belong and where neighborhoods are vibrant, opportunities are accessible, and every resident feels included in our shared future.

What was not asked in this questionnaire that needs to be answered?
What type of preparation have you done for this role? What meetings have you attended, what organizations have you engaged with, what city planning documents have you read? How do see your preparation helping you succeed as a councilmember?