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Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals consists of seven members who serve five-year City Council appointments. The board rules on variances to the City’s zoning code, such as setbacks for decks and fences.

Members

BZA member since 2024

Term ends 2029

Background

Barfield is a VP program manager within Digital Communications for JPMorgan Chase, with more than 13 years of progressive experience. In his current role, he is responsible for driving and managing multiple high-level programs simultaneously. He assists in the fulfillment of larger organizational goals by collaborating effectively across multiple lines of business with stakeholders at all levels. During his time with Chase, he has held multiple roles with responsibilities ranging from tracking and providing weekly updates to senior management, to coordinating high-priority regulatory and compliance projects. He has also managed employee-to-employee processes, leading the on-boarding of multiple sources of records to a new platform, while serving as a mentor to associates.

Barfield holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central State University and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He has received an MBA from the University of Phoenix and recently received his program management certification from Cornell University.

Hilliard community service

Barfield serves as a substitute teacher and a youth recreation soccer coach.

Personal

He and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters, Harper (11) and Elliette (5). They attend the Rock City Hilliard Church.

BZA member since 2024

BZA member since 2024

BZA member since 2024

Term ends December 2026

Background

Magee graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in design and a certificate in historic preservation. He is employed as a senior project manager at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. He previously has worked for architectural/design firms, in construction and design departments of various corporate companies, and in his current position in the Capital Planning and Project Management Department, where he leads design and construction projects. His experience working with architects, construction managers, and local municipalities gives him the experience to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Hilliard community service

Magee has served the Hilliard community through volunteer work with the Hilliard City Schools and his church, Northwest Bible.

Personal

Stephen lives in Hilliard with his wife, Christy, and their son. They have lived in the Hilliard School District since 2007 and moved into the City of Hilliard in 2012.

BZA member since 2024

BZA member since 2022

Term ends December 2025

Background

Steele is a retired federal bank examiner and banking consultant with more than 40 years of experience, specializing in wealth management and investments. He has a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He has experience dealing with legal, compliance, and risk management issues.

Hilliard community service

Steele has had a desire to give back to the community as a Hilliard resident for more than 33 years and hopes to play a small part in keeping Hilliard the great community it is today. As a retiree, he wanted to become more involved with the community.

Personal

He has been a Hilliard resident for more than 33 years. He is married with four adult children.

BZA member since 2022

Term ends December 2025

Hilliard community service

Stepp is a 25-year member of the Britton Farms Homeowners Association, including one year as president. He has served as a member of the Hilliard Graphics Commission.

Personal

Stepp and his wife live in Hilliard.

Emily Cole began serving her first elected term on City Council in January 2024.

Emily’s work and dedication to building stronger Ohio communities has distinguished her among her peers and set an example across the state for community-driven leadership. She advanced health equity at the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, improved the key drivers of community health through the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center, and brought needed resources into local communities to improve healthcare access by consulting with community health centers.

In 2021, Emily co-founded and has served as Executive Director of Ohio Families Unite for Political Action and Change (OFUPAC), a 501(c)4 that gives a voice to families impacted by police violence. She also works with OFUPAC’s sister organization, Ohio Families Unite Against Police Brutality (OFUAPB), to build Ohio communities where families come first, before politics, to thrive.

Emily is a frequent speaker at the Ohio State Legislature, where she has given important testimony on a wide array of issues that affect all Ohioans, including protecting voting rights access, advocating for safe communities, and standing us all to be seen and valued for our full humanity.

She volunteers with Hilliard’s Cub Scouts Pack 672, serves on the Planning Committee for Hilliard Pride, volunteers at Avery Elementary School, and is a member of the Hilliard United Methodist Church.

Emily has a master’s degree in public administration from The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs and bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

She and her husband, Wade, have two children, August and Levi. They have lived in Hilliard since 2015, settling in Old Hilliard in 2018.

Meetings

Monthly meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way, on an as-needed basis. All meetings are open to the public. For information regarding agendas or special accommodations, for inquiries, or to schedule a meeting, contact us at (614) 334-2444 or by email.

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