Posted September 5, 20231 yr A little more from the Dispatch on the upcoming zoning changes as part of the "Zone In" initiative... Columbus overhauling more than 70-yr-old zoning code to streamline process for developers "Major changes are coming to city of Columbus zoning code by next spring, and city officials say they don't want any residents or neighborhood groups to be caught by surprise. City officials said at a public meeting Aug. 21 that the proposed zoning changes under its "Zone In" effort are meant to streamline the process, making it easier for developers to gain city approval without the need to obtain variances — or exceptions to the rules routinely made by City Council on a case-by-case basis. They say their hope is to "modernize" the code into a more lenient process that will eliminate delays, keep up with the city's growing population, and ease the housing shortage in the future. "Council will vote early next year for some kind of a change," Council President Shannon Hardin told the group, saying he didn't want residents to feel the changes are being rushed through, and that now is the time to be involved. The Dispatch reported in January 2022 that a consultant's report recommended a bold plan: "repeal and replace Title 33- Zoning Code, in its entirety." The zoning code regulates how a property is zoned, what can be built on it, parking and other factors. While no decisions have been finalized, Wheeler highlighted that 80% of the targeted transportation corridors currently ban residential development, either totally or on the ground floor, and that a current 35-foot height limitation and off-street parking requirements make it costly for developers. City officials will be drafting the zoning code changes for the initial corridor areas through the end of this year, and will present them to the public in early 2024 for feedback. After any revisions, the updated code will then go before City Council for a vote in spring or early summer of 2024. Following passage of the new zoning code for the corridor areas, city officials plan to begin to draft an updated code for neighborhoods and other areas of the city." Full article found here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/09/05/columbus-officials-say-expected-population-surge-and-housing-shortage-driving-zoning-changes/70646477007/
September 5, 20231 yr 23 minutes ago, Luvcbus said: A little more from the Dispatch on the upcoming zoning changes as part of the "Zone In" initiative... Columbus overhauling more than 70-yr-old zoning code to streamline process for developers "Major changes are coming to city of Columbus zoning code by next spring, and city officials say they don't want any residents or neighborhood groups to be caught by surprise. City officials said at a public meeting Aug. 21 that the proposed zoning changes under its "Zone In" effort are meant to streamline the process, making it easier for developers to gain city approval without the need to obtain variances — or exceptions to the rules routinely made by City Council on a case-by-case basis. They say their hope is to "modernize" the code into a more lenient process that will eliminate delays, keep up with the city's growing population, and ease the housing shortage in the future. "Council will vote early next year for some kind of a change," Council President Shannon Hardin told the group, saying he didn't want residents to feel the changes are being rushed through, and that now is the time to be involved. The Dispatch reported in January 2022 that a consultant's report recommended a bold plan: "repeal and replace Title 33- Zoning Code, in its entirety." The zoning code regulates how a property is zoned, what can be built on it, parking and other factors. While no decisions have been finalized, Wheeler highlighted that 80% of the targeted transportation corridors currently ban residential development, either totally or on the ground floor, and that a current 35-foot height limitation and off-street parking requirements make it costly for developers. City officials will be drafting the zoning code changes for the initial corridor areas through the end of this year, and will present them to the public in early 2024 for feedback. After any revisions, the updated code will then go before City Council for a vote in spring or early summer of 2024. Following passage of the new zoning code for the corridor areas, city officials plan to begin to draft an updated code for neighborhoods and other areas of the city." Full article found here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/09/05/columbus-officials-say-expected-population-surge-and-housing-shortage-driving-zoning-changes/70646477007/ Clintonville residents worried about apartments being built along High St? I'm shocked.
September 5, 20231 yr 48 minutes ago, clippersandyank said: Clintonville residents worried about apartments being built along High St? I'm shocked. They should put all that effort into building one decent sized parking garage and they will never have to worry about too many cars for the area. I’m pretty sure they are fighting a losing battle, because at some point the land is going to become too valuable and you will either get good development or more Dunkin’ Donuts.
September 5, 20231 yr 1 hour ago, clippersandyank said: Clintonville residents worried about apartments being built along High St? I'm shocked. Those three quoted in the article are, in my view, outliers. As a Clintonville resident, I and my circle of friends think High St is a dump and needs redevelopment. Judy Minster wants to sell houses. Simbro seems like a crank. Joe Motil is generally against developments that receive tax abatements (I'm somewhat in agreement) but a more streamlined zoning process without parking minimums based on the 1960s might have incentivized denser developments without being derailed by a handful of residents. My recollection is that Motil (when he was an area commissioner) did vote in favor of the Weber and High project pictured in the article. Funny they featured that project, I thought it was dead.
September 5, 20231 yr 56 minutes ago, Pablo said: Those three quoted in the article are, in my view, outliers. As a Clintonville resident, I and my circle of friends think High St is a dump and needs redevelopment. Judy Minster wants to sell houses. Simbro seems like a crank. Joe Motil is generally against developments that receive tax abatements (I'm somewhat in agreement) but a more streamlined zoning process without parking minimums based on the 1960s might have incentivized denser developments without being derailed by a handful of residents. My recollection is that Motil (when he was an area commissioner) did vote in favor of the Weber and High project pictured in the article. Funny they featured that project, I thought it was dead. Please show up to the meetings and speak your mind then. Clintonville is a joke when it comes to a nice community walkable neighborhood. Sure you can walk off high st and have peace and a nice walk. Once on high street it’s a miserable experience and walking even a block or two is an awful time.
September 5, 20231 yr 4 hours ago, Luvcbus said: A little more from the Dispatch on the upcoming zoning changes as part of the "Zone In" initiative... Columbus overhauling more than 70-yr-old zoning code to streamline process for developers "Major changes are coming to city of Columbus zoning code by next spring, and city officials say they don't want any residents or neighborhood groups to be caught by surprise. City officials said at a public meeting Aug. 21 that the proposed zoning changes under its "Zone In" effort are meant to streamline the process, making it easier for developers to gain city approval without the need to obtain variances — or exceptions to the rules routinely made by City Council on a case-by-case basis. They say their hope is to "modernize" the code into a more lenient process that will eliminate delays, keep up with the city's growing population, and ease the housing shortage in the future. "Council will vote early next year for some kind of a change," Council President Shannon Hardin told the group, saying he didn't want residents to feel the changes are being rushed through, and that now is the time to be involved. The Dispatch reported in January 2022 that a consultant's report recommended a bold plan: "repeal and replace Title 33- Zoning Code, in its entirety." The zoning code regulates how a property is zoned, what can be built on it, parking and other factors. While no decisions have been finalized, Wheeler highlighted that 80% of the targeted transportation corridors currently ban residential development, either totally or on the ground floor, and that a current 35-foot height limitation and off-street parking requirements make it costly for developers. City officials will be drafting the zoning code changes for the initial corridor areas through the end of this year, and will present them to the public in early 2024 for feedback. After any revisions, the updated code will then go before City Council for a vote in spring or early summer of 2024. Following passage of the new zoning code for the corridor areas, city officials plan to begin to draft an updated code for neighborhoods and other areas of the city." Full article found here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/09/05/columbus-officials-say-expected-population-surge-and-housing-shortage-driving-zoning-changes/70646477007/ Was just in a lecture about this today - the process delays things by years sometimes for nonsensible variances.
September 5, 20231 yr 1 minute ago, columbus17 said: Was just in a lecture about this today - the process delays things by years sometimes for nonsensible variances. The project at lane and high comes to mind. It was turned away so many times, the developer said never mind.
September 5, 20231 yr 5 hours ago, Pablo said: Those three quoted in the article are, in my view, outliers. As a Clintonville resident, I and my circle of friends think High St is a dump and needs redevelopment. Judy Minster wants to sell houses. Simbro seems like a crank. Joe Motil is generally against developments that receive tax abatements (I'm somewhat in agreement) but a more streamlined zoning process without parking minimums based on the 1960s might have incentivized denser developments without being derailed by a handful of residents. My recollection is that Motil (when he was an area commissioner) did vote in favor of the Weber and High project pictured in the article. Funny they featured that project, I thought it was dead. Right there with you! Clintonville has more residents than the rich people in mansions on North Broadway. They've just got way more pull than us silly renters and small home owners.
September 5, 20231 yr 4 hours ago, VintageLife said: Please show up to the meetings and speak your mind then. Clintonville is a joke when it comes to a nice community walkable neighborhood. Sure you can walk off high st and have peace and a nice walk. Once on high street it’s a miserable experience and walking even a block or two is an awful time. I mean.... it's not that dramatic lol. it's just a street that's kinda busy at some times. Pretty quiet out there when I walk to lunch and it's an absolute ghost town on weekend mornings it's amazing.
September 5, 20231 yr 8 hours ago, Luvcbus said: A little more from the Dispatch on the upcoming zoning changes as part of the "Zone In" initiative... Columbus overhauling more than 70-yr-old zoning code to streamline process for developers "Major changes are coming to city of Columbus zoning code by next spring, and city officials say they don't want any residents or neighborhood groups to be caught by surprise. City officials said at a public meeting Aug. 21 that the proposed zoning changes under its "Zone In" effort are meant to streamline the process, making it easier for developers to gain city approval without the need to obtain variances — or exceptions to the rules routinely made by City Council on a case-by-case basis. They say their hope is to "modernize" the code into a more lenient process that will eliminate delays, keep up with the city's growing population, and ease the housing shortage in the future. "Council will vote early next year for some kind of a change," Council President Shannon Hardin told the group, saying he didn't want residents to feel the changes are being rushed through, and that now is the time to be involved. The Dispatch reported in January 2022 that a consultant's report recommended a bold plan: "repeal and replace Title 33- Zoning Code, in its entirety." The zoning code regulates how a property is zoned, what can be built on it, parking and other factors. While no decisions have been finalized, Wheeler highlighted that 80% of the targeted transportation corridors currently ban residential development, either totally or on the ground floor, and that a current 35-foot height limitation and off-street parking requirements make it costly for developers. City officials will be drafting the zoning code changes for the initial corridor areas through the end of this year, and will present them to the public in early 2024 for feedback. After any revisions, the updated code will then go before City Council for a vote in spring or early summer of 2024. Following passage of the new zoning code for the corridor areas, city officials plan to begin to draft an updated code for neighborhoods and other areas of the city." Full article found here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/09/05/columbus-officials-say-expected-population-surge-and-housing-shortage-driving-zoning-changes/70646477007/ "Zone In" is a good name considering how much bad development patterns can make you zone out. I zone out enough on my own.
September 5, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, TIm said: I mean.... it's not that dramatic lol. it's just a street that's kinda busy at some times. Pretty quiet out there when I walk to lunch and it's an absolute ghost town on weekend mornings it's amazing. High Street in the university is miserable. The sidewalks are horrid, there's no real effort for the pedestrian experience, and everything is extremely worn out/run down looking. They really need to redo that whole area with a new streetscape.
September 6, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, columbus17 said: High Street in the university is miserable. The sidewalks are horrid, there's no real effort for the pedestrian experience, and everything is extremely worn out/run down looking. They really need to redo that whole area with a new streetscape.
October 4, 20231 yr Columbus seeking more input on zoning overhaul through survey, open houses As Columbus continues the lengthy effort to overhaul its archaic zoning code, city leaders are adopting new guiding principles and soliciting public feedback in its most detailed format yet. Columbus City Council reviewed legislation to support and adopt new priorities in the zoning process this week. Council members will vote on the priorities next week, including housing creation, equity, local businesses and jobs, transit, walking and biking, and good urban design. The adoption of the priorities is the latest step in an extensive process to reshape the city's zoning code, which hasn't been updated since the 1950s and, in addition to widely being considered outdated, has long been criticized for being burdensome and difficult to use. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/10/04/columbus-zoning-code-overhaul-survey.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 5, 20231 yr Okay, but how much input do they really need at this point? They've been getting input for what seems like years now. There are also pretty clear best practices that can be viewed elsewhere in terms of urban planning and zoning. I also hope that the feedback they're getting is not all from the loud, but very vocal NIMBY group that could cause the zoning changes to not go far enough.
October 5, 20231 yr 8 hours ago, jonoh81 said: Okay, but how much input do they really need at this point? They've been getting input for what seems like years now. There are also pretty clear best practices that can be viewed elsewhere in terms of urban planning and zoning. I also hope that the feedback they're getting is not all from the loud, but very vocal NIMBY group that could cause the zoning changes to not go far enough. This. Always this with Columbus. Reinvent the wheel instead of just implementing best practices. Bussing. Bike routes. Zoning. Downtown plans. Etc etc. Just freaking do it. We talked briefly above about other cities but honestly, every city has good and bad builds. Columbus should be most envious of cities building miles of bike lanes and BRT every year instead of our pathetic numbers. But hey, gotta do more studies!
October 5, 20231 yr 9 hours ago, jonoh81 said: Okay, but how much input do they really need at this point? They've been getting input for what seems like years now. There are also pretty clear best practices that can be viewed elsewhere in terms of urban planning and zoning. I also hope that the feedback they're getting is not all from the loud, but very vocal NIMBY group that could cause the zoning changes to not go far enough. Only thing I want to see is stricter architectural requirements. Other than that don't see how difficult it is for them to lax things up.
October 5, 20231 yr 11 hours ago, jonoh81 said: Okay, but how much input do they really need at this point? They've been getting input for what seems like years now. There are also pretty clear best practices that can be viewed elsewhere in terms of urban planning and zoning. I also hope that the feedback they're getting is not all from the loud, but very vocal NIMBY group that could cause the zoning changes to not go far enough. I was at a talk earlier this week by Council President Hardin and this is exactly his frustration. The loud voices and people that show up to council meetings every week are those opposed to the changes, and typically people who don't understand the reality of how the proposed changes would work.
October 10, 20231 yr Author From last night's City Council meeting... Columbus City Council resolution lays path for zoning changes to bring more urban density "Columbus City Council reminded residents again Tuesday that zoning changes are coming early next year that will usher in more dense urban developments, with code changes such as allowing taller buildings, fewer required parking spaces, and reducing the need for site-by-site community negotiations for "variances" from the city building code. The goals stated in the nonbinding resolution, which passed 7-0, are: to "modernize" the zoning code to reflect current and future needs, values and aspirations; support growth that prioritizes environmental and economic sustainability through improved transit, additional housing opportunities and job centers; encourage investment in neighborhoods that have experienced racial and economic segregation; guide the design and development of main streets, neighborhoods and activity centers; and ensure the zoning code is fair, predictable and accessible. "Tonight's resolution means that Council has agreed with the priorities created by the (Mayor Andrew J. Ginther) administration after a months-long community engagement process via the 'Zone In' initiative," Dorans said." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/10/10/columbus-council-resolution-lays-out-goals-of-planned-zoning-changes-to-usher-dense-development/71119008007/
October 10, 20231 yr I'm worried they phrased that as "fewer parking requirements" instead of "no parking requirements".
October 10, 20231 yr 4 hours ago, jonoh81 said: I'm worried they phrased that as "fewer parking requirements" instead of "no parking requirements". Better than what it was before at least.
October 12, 20231 yr Q & A: What’s Next for the City’s Zoning Reform Effort The multi-year effort to reform Columbus’ 1950s-era zoning code is continuing, with a series of public events scheduled for the next month. Columbus City Council also voted this week to approve some high-level goals and strategies for the first part of the code that will be changed – new mixed-use districts that will be established for about 11,500 parcels along approximately 145 miles of the city’s largest roads. Council will vote on legislation to actually establish those new districts sometime in the first half of 2024, with a draft of the new code scheduled to be released to the public in the spring. The city first hired a consultant to look into its zoning code in the fall of 2020, and an assessment of the code produced by that consultant was released about a year later. The current code is complex and confusing, and tends to apply standards for new development that are more appropriate for a suburban development pattern than an urban one, according to the assessment. Earlier this year, the city announced that the first phase of the reform effort would tackle mixed-use districts along major corridors – residential and business districts will be next. The resolution passed by City Council laid out five priorities for the new districts: Leverage corridors to create more housing in more places. Support “Main Street” jobs and businesses. Promote equitable development with a code that relies on clear, objective standards and is easier to navigate. Expand the role of corridors in creating healthy, connected communities. Foster good urban design and appealing “Main Streets.” More below: https://columbusunderground.com/q-a-whats-next-for-the-citys-zoning-reform-effort-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 12, 20231 yr What Columbus developers are saying about the city's new zoning priorities, zoning overhaul Columbus developers are optimistic that the city's zoning code overhaul will be a step in the right direction, but cautious of how development could be impacted by public feedback. Columbus City Council this week approved legislation to support and adopt new priorities in the zoning process. Priorities include housing creation, equity, local businesses and jobs, transit, walking and biking and good urban design. The adoption of these priorities is the latest step in an extensive process to reshape the city's zoning code, which hasn't been updated since the 1950s and, in addition to widely being considered outdated, has long been criticized for being burdensome and difficult to use. Tre' Giller, CEO of multifamily developer Metro Development, said he thinks anything that gets the city "closer to the finish line" in a complete overhaul is "a step in the right direction." More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/10/12/columbus-zoning-code-overhaul-developer-reactions.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 12, 20231 yr 50 minutes ago, ColDayMan said: What Columbus developers are saying about the city's new zoning priorities, zoning overhaul Columbus developers are optimistic that the city's zoning code overhaul will be a step in the right direction, but cautious of how development could be impacted by public feedback. Columbus City Council this week approved legislation to support and adopt new priorities in the zoning process. Priorities include housing creation, equity, local businesses and jobs, transit, walking and biking and good urban design. The adoption of these priorities is the latest step in an extensive process to reshape the city's zoning code, which hasn't been updated since the 1950s and, in addition to widely being considered outdated, has long been criticized for being burdensome and difficult to use. Tre' Giller, CEO of multifamily developer Metro Development, said he thinks anything that gets the city "closer to the finish line" in a complete overhaul is "a step in the right direction." More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/10/12/columbus-zoning-code-overhaul-developer-reactions.html Curious if we won’t hear much about any new developments until after early 2024. I know we will still have development, but anything good, will probably wait until after this. hopefully this can push someone to buy the property at High St and Weber. The office building just 2 properties, north of that building, is also for sale. Hopefully someone can snag that and make it something better.
October 13, 20231 yr 18 hours ago, VintageLife said: Curious if we won’t hear much about any new developments until after early 2024. I know we will still have development, but anything good, will probably wait until after this. hopefully this can push someone to buy the property at High St and Weber. The office building just 2 properties, north of that building, is also for sale. Hopefully someone can snag that and make it something better. We should all pool our money together and build the largest structure reasonably possible right on that corner.
February 1, 20241 yr Ohio builders pitch ending referendums, local zoning to spur housing (dispatch.com) Interesting article on some policy efforts by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio. Their report "Ohio Housing Policy White Paper: Strategies to Address Ohio's Housing and Economic Challenges" recommends the following policy changes: Create a Governor's Housing Council that would include developers, local government, business and community leaders who would advise the governor on how Ohio can address the housing crisis, establish housing as a statewide concern, and adopt a comprehensive strategy for housing development. Regulate small, non-limited home rule township zoning at the state level that would put zoning in the hands of county government. Enact state legislation that permits residential development where retail zoning now exists. Create a new Ohio Housing Infrastructure Fund of $250 million to offer competitive grants for large and small cities to build dense residential projects. Increase the amount of funding from $100 million a year to $400 million for the state's Transformational Mixed Use District Program. Eliminate referendums for zoning decisions.
March 14, 20241 yr Author City Council to Hold Public Hearing today on Zone In Initiative Procedure Who: Council President Shannon Hardin Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans Representatives from the City Attorney's Office Representatives from the Zone In Team When and Where: Today 5:30 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers 90 W. Broad St Also: Livestream on Facebook Livestream on Youtube What: Council President Hardin and Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, Chair of the Zoning Committee, are holding a public hearing to review and comment on the proposed amendments to Chapter 3310 and related sections of the Zoning Code. These amendments set the procedural steps that will be required to codify changes to the zoning map as the Zone In Initiative proceeds. Representatives from the City Attorney's Office and the Zone In Team will be on hand to offer testimony and answer questions. The Zone In Initiative is a multi-phase effort to comprehensively update the City’s zoning code and map for the first time in more than 70 years. A draft proposal for Phase 1 - the corridor phase of the code update - is expected to be released for public comment in April. More about the Zone In Columbus Initiative below: https://zone-in-columbus.hub.arcgis.com/
March 19, 20241 yr Central Ohio's zoning barriers are a reason for fewer housing starts, developers say Central Ohio developers say regulatory issues are to blame for a slowdown in housing projects in a region in desperate need of more residential units. The number of housing permits issued in Central Ohio dropped 17% in 2023, falling to their lowest level since 2019, according to a new report from the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio released this month. There were double-digit declines in both single-family and multifamily permits in 2023, according to the BIA report. Single-family permits saw a 13% decline and multifamily permits dropped 19% from 2022. In Columbus, for example, multifamily permits decreased by 10% in 2023. In Franklin County, permits pulled for multifamily projects decreased 7%, according to the report. Changing zoning laws or updating zoning code is one way to help developers of both affordable and market rate housing meet the demand, she said. "We don't even know how much zoning would open up opportunities," Evans said. "What could you open up if you took away the regulatory barriers?"
March 19, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, VintageLife said: Central Ohio's zoning barriers are a reason for fewer housing starts, developers say Central Ohio developers say regulatory issues are to blame for a slowdown in housing projects in a region in desperate need of more residential units. The number of housing permits issued in Central Ohio dropped 17% in 2023, falling to their lowest level since 2019, according to a new report from the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio released this month. There were double-digit declines in both single-family and multifamily permits in 2023, according to the BIA report. Single-family permits saw a 13% decline and multifamily permits dropped 19% from 2022. In Columbus, for example, multifamily permits decreased by 10% in 2023. In Franklin County, permits pulled for multifamily projects decreased 7%, according to the report. Changing zoning laws or updating zoning code is one way to help developers of both affordable and market rate housing meet the demand, she said. "We don't even know how much zoning would open up opportunities," Evans said. "What could you open up if you took away the regulatory barriers?" A lot. Not spending 12 months paying thousands of dollars in redesign fees and sitting on land that could be used saves boat loads of money. Developers hate red tape.
March 27, 20241 yr Author Long discussed Columbus zoning changes nearing the finish line "The owners of 13,000 properties in Columbus — mainly those on main bus transportation thoroughfares — will have their zoning and all the associated rules that go with it changed over the summer under City Council's planned update of the city's zoning code. City Council began amending the zoning code Monday in what it said was laying out a process that eventually will lead to a set of amendments to the city's current zoning code, and the ultimate complete replacement of the existing code with a new set of building rules later this year. Monday's changes will allow council to rezone parcels in phases by ordinance, said Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, who is leading the rezoning effort. The first phase will amount to a rezoning of about 13,000 parcels located mainly along main city bus routes. The result would be to make neighborhoods denser and more walkable. About 80% of the targeted transportation corridors currently ban residential development, either totally or on the ground floor, and a current 35-foot height limitation and off-street parking requirements make it costly for developers, officials have said. At this point, the city hasn't said what exactly is going to change neighborhood by neighborhood. Council plans to unveil those new zoning rules beginning in the next month, Dorans said. After that, a series of zoning ordinances will transfer parcels to the new code's jurisdiction in phases, with required public hearings and public comment periods to allow for neighborhood feedback, he said." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/03/26/long-discussed-columbus-zoning-changes-nearing-the-finish-line/73108191007/
March 27, 20241 yr 59 minutes ago, Luvcbus said: Long discussed Columbus zoning changes nearing the finish line "The owners of 13,000 properties in Columbus — mainly those on main bus transportation thoroughfares — will have their zoning and all the associated rules that go with it changed over the summer under City Council's planned update of the city's zoning code. City Council began amending the zoning code Monday in what it said was laying out a process that eventually will lead to a set of amendments to the city's current zoning code, and the ultimate complete replacement of the existing code with a new set of building rules later this year. Monday's changes will allow council to rezone parcels in phases by ordinance, said Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, who is leading the rezoning effort. The first phase will amount to a rezoning of about 13,000 parcels located mainly along main city bus routes. The result would be to make neighborhoods denser and more walkable. About 80% of the targeted transportation corridors currently ban residential development, either totally or on the ground floor, and a current 35-foot height limitation and off-street parking requirements make it costly for developers, officials have said. At this point, the city hasn't said what exactly is going to change neighborhood by neighborhood. Council plans to unveil those new zoning rules beginning in the next month, Dorans said. After that, a series of zoning ordinances will transfer parcels to the new code's jurisdiction in phases, with required public hearings and public comment periods to allow for neighborhood feedback, he said." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/03/26/long-discussed-columbus-zoning-changes-nearing-the-finish-line/73108191007/ God I hope this triggers some great development!
March 27, 20241 yr I'm hoping it raises the German Village and Clintonville's height limit to nothing below 50 feet! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 27, 20241 yr 1 minute ago, ColDayMan said: I'm hoping it raises the German Village and Clintonville's height limit to nothing below 50 feet! It’s just so sad that High and N Broadway already got built out with the crap it did. If that developer would have just waited a bit, they probably could have gotten the mixed use building built.
March 27, 20241 yr 9 hours ago, VintageLife said: It’s just so sad that High and N Broadway already got built out with the crap it did. If that developer would have just waited a bit, they probably could have gotten the mixed use building built. I know time flies but that project was proposed 9 years ago. By waiting a bit, you mean a decade. For a variance from 35 ft to 58ft. Nothing other than this recent Weber project indicates CAC would have eventually yielded, especially because it was the people of Central Clintonville that wielded the most power in that discussion. And if THEY didn't want it, they were going to get their way. A project like Weber has less pushback because it's a different group of residents who don't show up in the hundreds against it. Not every developer can sit on property like that waiting for the city to catch up. Edited March 27, 20241 yr by DTCL11
March 27, 20241 yr 2 hours ago, DTCL11 said: I know time flies but that project was proposed 9 years ago. By waiting a bit, you mean a decade. For a variance from 35 ft to 58ft. Nothing other than this recent Weber project indicates CAC would have eventually yielded, especially because it was the people of Central Clintonville that wielded the most power in that discussion. And if THEY didn't want it, they were going to get their way. A project like Weber has less pushback because it's a different group of residents who don't show up in the hundreds against it. Not every developer can sit on property like that waiting for the city to catch up. Yeah it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. In fairness, didn’t they just finish those buildings a year or two ago though?
April 4, 20241 yr Author New Columbus zoning code would allow more housing, remove parking requirements "A new zoning code that could be adopted by Columbus City Council would allow for the addition of 88,000 new units to key city corridors – more than 14 times what current zoning would allow. The proposed zoning overhaul impacts about 12,300 parcels, about 950 of which are single-family homes. The legislation and maps will be introduced at Columbus City Council on Monday, kicking off a 60-day public review period. Monday night the council will consider legislation that gets the public review period rolling, but a vote on the code itself won't come until the summer. Columbus unveiled maps of the key corridors that this zoning code rewrite would address in 2023. The city has been working on this project since 2021, when it engaged consultants to assess the current zoning code. Since then, the city has held public hearings, presented to area commissions, sent mail to property owners of affected parcels and released an online survey. If Columbus City Council approves the legislation to start the public comment and review process on Monday, there will be a "war room" at 141 N. Front St., staffed by a city planner six days a week, that people can visit to get information on the changes. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said the updated code reflects public policy priorities, such as increased density to create affordability and creating mixed-income neighborhoods. The updated code would reduce the need for property owners to request many variances from council." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/04/04/columbus-new-zoning-code-height-density.html
April 4, 20241 yr More on that... Zoning Updates Heading to City Council on Monday After three and a half years of research, planning and public engagement, the City of Columbus is poised to take the first step toward modernizing its zoning code when a resolution will go before Columbus City Council on Monday for consideration. “I’ve been working with the city since 1987 on a lot of really complex projects,” explained Kevin Wheeler, Columbus Assistant Director for Growth Policy, who sat down with Columbus Underground earlier this week for an extended interview. “This is by far the most, most extensive project.” The last time the city’s zoning code was comprehensively updated was in the 1950s, and it was largely suburban and car-centric in nature. Since then, the city’s population has more than doubled from 400,000 to 900,000 and the Central Ohio region has grown from around 600,000 to over 2.1 million today. With over 24,000 new residents being added to the regional population annually — the equivalent of three Grandview Heights (pop. 8,000) per year — the question isn’t about whether or not Columbus will continue to grow, but instead how it will grow. “We have a set of goals and priorities and these were genuinely important in informing our work,” explained Wheeler. “More housing, supporting local businesses, supporting transit, improving equity and establishing a baseline for urban design.” More below: https://columbusunderground.com/zoning-updates-heading-to-city-council-on-monday-we1/ The 31 Mixed Use Zoning District identified as the first phase of zoning updates in the City of Columbus. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 4, 20241 yr Am I a bad person for wanting to have popcorn ready for the reaction to the first 10+ story building proposed for Clintonville? Edited April 4, 20241 yr by jonoh81
April 4, 20241 yr Just think how awesome Tri-Village would be with 5-7 story buildings on all these lots!
April 4, 20241 yr Author A little more from the Dispatch... Taller buildings, no parking requirements - see what's in Columbus' zoning proposal New zoning code says no parking spaces required on major transportation corridors, even for commercial buildings "The new plan for roughly 12,300 city parcels along major transportation corridors eliminates the requirement to provide parking spaces, even for commercial projects, and replaces a general 35-foot height limit with buildings up to 16 stories in core urban areas. Saying he was done with reports and studies, Ginther proclaimed "this is a decade of action," adding that "NIMBYs," or those who demand "not in my backyard," need to challenge themselves to "become that region of YIMBYs," or those who say "yes in my backyard." For Columbus residents now learning many details of the massive new plan — a report detailing them released Thursday was 280 pages — the real decisions start Monday. That's when the actual ordinance officially arrives on the council's agenda, kicking off a 60-day public comment period expected to be followed by a vote of the nine-member body by mid-summer. The changes are expected to dramatically reduce the need for developers to go before "area commissions" to negotiate projects in return for variances and zoning changes, and hopefully speed the development of in-demand housing. The affected parcels are now governed by some 40 various zoning distinctions, each with different requirements. Under the proposal, there will be just six zoning categories, allowing a much broader range of uses in each. The need for more housing is at the center for the city's look at changing its decades-old zoning rules. The region needs to add 200,000 housing units by 2030, according to the Columbus Housing Strategy." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/04/04/columbus-zoning-plan-allows-taller-buildings-with-no-parking/73194940007/
April 4, 20241 yr 15 minutes ago, VintageLife said: Is there someplace we can send emails in support of this? Dorans stressed that the council wants input from the community on the proposals, which can be found online at www.columbus.gov/zoningupdate. Residents can also email [email protected] or call 614-645-5343 for more information.
April 4, 20241 yr 18 minutes ago, VintageLife said: Is there someplace we can send emails in support of this? Also- you can go in person to the Zone In Gallery... "The City of Columbus is launching the “Zone In Gallery” on April 9th as a hub for information, questions and feedback on the process. “This gallery will be the focus of community engagement for the 60 day comment period,” stated Jennifer Fening, Deputy Director of the Department of Development with the City of Columbus. “It will be open to the public six days a week where residents can come in, learn about the process we’ve been through, learn why the code is broken, and learn about the proposal in front of them. They can have their questions answered and give their comments for consideration as we look to refine the code it and get it right.” Located at 141 North Front Street, the Zone In Gallery is on the ground floor of the city’s employee parking garage, where visitors to the Gallery space can park for free, making accessibility easy for all. Fening added that city planners will be available for one-on-one sessions with residents who are impacted directly or adjacent to the parcels that will be impacted by the changes." https://columbusunderground.com/the-zone-in-gallery-is-open-for-business-we1/
April 4, 20241 yr Email template: Dear city council, f*** NIMBYs. Pass this now. Thank you for your consideration, [Name]
April 5, 20241 yr The comments on the various local news media FB posts have been hilarious! A lot of positive comments about the need for change, but also a lot of nonsensical conspiracy theories about 15 minute city's and "greedy developers". Good stuff!
April 5, 20241 yr The full proposal is available on the City's legislation website: https://columbus.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6611618&GUID=FF3EADAA-A22E-4836-89D7-6DF240E3B72C
April 5, 20241 yr 17 minutes ago, Pablo said: The comments on the various local news media FB posts have been hilarious! A lot of positive comments about the need for change, but also a lot of nonsensical conspiracy theories about 15 minute city's and "greedy developers". Good stuff! Yeah I was reading some, had to stop because I felt like my brain was melting into goo.
April 5, 20241 yr 4 hours ago, .justin said: The full proposal is available on the City's legislation website: https://columbus.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6611618&GUID=FF3EADAA-A22E-4836-89D7-6DF240E3B72C Is there a key for what the different zone codes mean?
April 5, 20241 yr 18 minutes ago, Gnoraa said: Is there a key for what the different zone codes mean?
April 5, 20241 yr 14 minutes ago, Gnoraa said: Is there a key for what the different zone codes mean? UCR - Urban Core (12 story max, 16 story w/ affordable housing bonus) UCR-R - Urban Core Restricted (same height limits/etc, certain commercial uses are not permitted) UCT - Urban Center (5 story max, 7 story w/ affordable housing bonus) UGN-1 - Urban General 1 (4 story max) UGN-2 - Urban General 2 (4 story max, 5' min setback required) CAC - Community Activity Center (5 story max, 7 story w/ affordable housing bonus, 10' min setback required) RAC - Regional Activity Center (7 story max, 10 story w/ affordable housing bonus, 10' min setback required) There are other distinctions between the zones beyond height and minimum setbacks, which are laid out in the full zoning text.
April 5, 20241 yr Can we make a new thread for this or add it or Downton Strategic/Zoning Plan from the Random Thread? Urban General 1 (UG1) Urban General 2 (UG2) Urban Center (UCT) Urban Core (UCR) Community Activity Center (CAC) Regional Activity Center (RAC)
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