The zoning vote that started it all.
Delaware City Council unanimously approved a zoning amendment on February 2, 2026, clearing the way for the $20 million Trailhead Crossings shopping center, with Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin', and Take 5 confirmed as initial tenants.
This was the project that started it all, the zoning decision and tenant announcement that set Delaware's Trailhead Crossings development in motion months before phase one ever broke ground. Here's what was actually confirmed back in February 2026, sourced directly from Delaware Source's original reporting.
What Did Delaware City Council Actually Approve?
A zoning map amendment for the 10.3-acre property at the corner of Sunbury Road and Skyview Lane, rezoning it from C-CC (Community Commercial) to C-PUD (Commercial Planned Unit Development). Delaware City Council approved the change unanimously on February 2, 2026, opening the door for at least four new businesses to break ground on what had previously been agricultural land. GTZ Properties Managing Principal Mitch Goltz explained the city rezoned the property specifically to allow the type of mixed-use commercial development the plan called for, rather than the zoning change itself being the focal approval, the underlying land unit development plan was the real substance of what council signed off on.
The rezoning process alone took about six months, though Goltz said the broader project had already been in the works for well over a year by the time council voted. Several council members asked Planning and Community Development Director Sandra Pereira specifically about how the zoning phase related to the development phase, particularly regarding planned road changes like the Biltmore Drive extension, with Pereira noting that more specific details would become available once the construction plans firmed up further.
Which Businesses Were Confirmed First?
Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin' Donuts, and Take 5 were the first four tenants Goltz confirmed to Delaware Source on February 11, 2026, just over a week after the zoning vote. Goltz described the full development process, from initial planning to completion, as typically running about 24 months soup to nuts, with the goal at that point being to break ground on a portion of the project in the third quarter of 2026 and complete it by the end of 2027.
He also revealed early plans for a second phase of the project, describing a "big box store" planned for the eastern portion of the land, which would eventually be confirmed as Target later in the year. That phase would also include extending Biltmore Drive to connect to a new north-south street the city was contemplating, Byxbe Parkway, linking to Glenn Road on the south side.
Why Did GTZ Properties Choose Delaware for This Project?
Delaware's growth trajectory was the deciding factor, according to Goltz. He told Delaware Source the city was chosen in large part because Delaware is the fastest-growing county in the Midwest, with substantial population and business growth already underway. He also noted the property itself sat in a location largely surrounded by existing development, calling it a testament to the strength of both the broader Columbus market and Delaware specifically.
GTZ Properties, a Chicago-based development company, has completed more than 200 projects across several states including Ohio, Colorado, Texas, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee, giving the firm substantial experience with this kind of mixed commercial development before taking on the Sunbury Road property.
What Did This Announcement Set in Motion?
This February zoning approval and initial tenant confirmation was the foundation for everything that followed. By October 2026, phase one had officially broken ground with the original four tenants joined by Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pacific Dental, and a national daycare provider, and Target had been confirmed for the development's second phase on a 16-acre parcel to the east. The project that started as a 10.3-acre rezoning request grew, within the span of about eight months, into a development expected to eventually span more than 50 acres and bring over $100 million in new investment to the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Trailhead Crossings zoning change approved?
Delaware City Council unanimously approved the zoning map amendment on February 2, 2026, rezoning the 10.3-acre Sunbury Road property from Community Commercial to Commercial Planned Unit Development.
What businesses were originally confirmed for Trailhead Crossings?
Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin' Donuts, and Take 5 were the first four tenants developer GTZ Properties confirmed in February 2026, before additional tenants and Target were announced later in the year.
How much was the original Trailhead Crossings project valued at?
The initial project was valued at $20 million when the zoning change was approved in February 2026, though the overall development's scope and investment total grew substantially as later phases were confirmed.
Why did GTZ Properties choose Delaware for this development?
Developer GTZ Properties cited Delaware County's status as the fastest-growing county in the Midwest, along with the property's location surrounded by existing development, as key reasons for choosing the site.
What was originally planned for Trailhead Crossings' second phase?
Goltz described a "big box store" planned for the eastern portion of the property in February 2026, which was later confirmed as Target, along with an extension of Biltmore Drive to connect to a new north-south street.
If you've been curious about how a development like Trailhead Crossings actually comes together from the ground up, or what this kind of growth means for property values along Sunbury Road, I'm always happy to talk it through.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Facts in this post are sourced from Delaware Source's February 18, 2026 reporting, linked above. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.
