'Zone In’ plan clears final public hearing

 

"After a rehashing of some familiar arguments by some familiar faces, the city of Columbus moved another step forward Wednesday on a planned massive zoning code change involving over 12,000 city parcels along major transportation corridors poking out from Downtown. About 60 people attended the fourth and final public hearing Wednesday on “Zone In,” which will bring taller mixed-use buildings into certain neighborhoods without any parking requirement. 

 

...Some people weren’t satisfied with the last amendments.

 

Some German Village residents, for example, are still wary of the fix that Council came up with to ensure that current regulations that allow historic neighborhoods to have design review and height limitations over projects trump the new zoning code, which conflicts with those rules.

 

They asked Council to just make the zoning on the parcels in question, which are along Livingston Avenue, conform to rather than conflict with their historic guidelines.

 

In other words, they want the city to just take them out of Zone In altogether.

 

But Kevin Wheeler, the city’s assistant director for growth policy, said that Livingston Avenue passes by Nationwide Children’s Hospital and is just across the freeway from Downtown. It was therefore deliberately included in the Zone In plans under the theory that ultimately the entire city will get a zoning update. This iteration is just the first phase of that work.

 

Building and Zoning Department officials also clarified that using permit parking as a mitigation device when a newly required parking-impact study determines a neighborhood’s parking could be negatively impacted by a major new development means the permits are for the existing residents impacted by new development — not the residents of the new development. Those residents sometimes get permits, but not routinely, officials said."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/

 

 

 

 

Edited July 26, 2024Jul 26 by Luvcbus

10 minutes ago, Luvcbus said:

 

'Zone In’ plan clears final public hearing

 

"After a rehashing of some familiar arguments by some familiar faces, the city of Columbus moved another step forward Wednesday on a planned massive zoning code change involving over 12,000 city parcels along major transportation corridors poking out from Downtown. About 60 people attended the fourth and final public hearing Wednesday on “Zone In,” which will bring taller mixed-use buildings into certain neighborhoods without any parking requirement. 

 

...Some people weren’t satisfied with the last amendments.

 

Some German Village residents, for example, are still wary of the fix that Council came up with to ensure that current regulations that allow historic neighborhoods to have design review and height limitations over projects trump the new zoning code, which conflicts with those rules.

 

They asked Council to just make the zoning on the parcels in question, which are along Livingston Avenue, conform to rather than conflict with their historic guidelines.

 

In other words, they want the city to just take them out of Zone In altogether.

 

But Kevin Wheeler, the city’s assistant director for growth policy, said that Livingston Avenue passes by Nationwide Children’s Hospital and is just across the freeway from Downtown. It was therefore deliberately included in the Zone In plans under the theory that ultimately the entire city will get a zoning update. This iteration is just the first phase of that work.

 

Building and Zoning Department officials also clarified that using permit parking as a mitigation device when a newly required parking-impact study determines a neighborhood’s parking could be negatively impacted by a major new development means the permits are for the existing residents impacted by new development — not the residents of the new development. Those residents sometimes get permits, but not routinely, officials said."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/

 

 

 

 

I’m glad they are ignoring German village residents.

Cue German Village residents desperately pulling out the June 21st 9pm shadow analysis to prove they're negatively impacted by the new zoning on Livingston (they're vitamin D deficient)

Omg it passed?! 

 

I tuned out for a while. This seems great!!! Was it severely gutted or did it pass more-or-less as originally envisioned???

 

YouTube from NBC4

53 minutes ago, Zyrokai said:

Omg it passed?! 

 

I tuned out for a while. This seems great!!! Was it severely gutted or did it pass more-or-less as originally envisioned???

 

YouTube from NBC4

If you scroll up in this thread, they made a few chances but nothing massive. 

 

Columbus approves sweeping zoning changes, increasing height limits in parts of city

 

"Columbus City Council voted Monday to overhaul the city's zoning code, paving the way for new higher-density development in parts of the city.

 

Each of the six resolutions amending the city zoning code passed unanimously. More than a dozen residents spoke during the meeting, with most saying they supported the initiative and believed the new code would improve access to affordable housing for residents. Members of the audience broke out into applause when the legislation passed.

 

At the Monday meeting, council members said the change will help modernize the code into a more lenient process, eliminate delays, keep up with Columbus' growing population, and ease the housing shortage in the future. Buildings as high as 16 stories and with no required parking could be constructed along some major routes with no parking requirements.

 

Many of the zoning changes radiate from Downtown, following main drags like High, Broad, East Long and East Main streets as well as Parsons, Mount Vernon, Cleveland, and Sullivant avenues, and other major crosstown corridors like Morse Road. Areas largely left off the rezoning map include areas around Route 161 between I-71 east to I-270."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/07/29/columbus-city-council-approves-major-zoning-changes-to-applause/74592843007/

 

 

 

Columbus City Council officially approves updated zoning code

 

Columbus City Council has approved legislation updating the city's zoning code.

 

The vote at Monday's meeting is the culmination of years of work to overhaul the code, which hadn't been updated comprehensively since the 1950s.

 

Council President Shannon Hardin said that now is the time to update the zoning code because of Columbus' projected growth. A recent study showed that the city needs to build at least 200,000 new housing units over the next 15 years to keep up with the growth.

 

"We as a city must be obsessed every day with asking the question, 'As we get bigger, can we get better?'" Hardin said.

 

Councilman Rob Dorans, who chairs the zoning committee, echoed that sentiment.

 

"This is vital for us to get out in front of this growth with this legislation," Dorans said.

 

Now that the legislation has been approved, it will go into effect in 30 days. In the meantime, the city will work on educating the public on what the changes might mean.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/07/30/city-council-zoning-code-updated.html

City Council Passes Zoning Reform Legislation

 

Columbus City Council on Monday passed legislation that will re-write a significant portion of its 70-year-old zoning code.

 

The six ordinances will rezone around 12,300 parcels, establishing new zoning districts along many of the city’s high-traffic urban corridors and in several of its aging retail centers. The changes are designed to spur the development of much more housing in those areas, by allowing taller buildings (ranging from four to 16 stories), and by removing rules that can serve as barriers to construction and drive up costs, like parking requirements.

 

The city first hired a consultant to look into its zoning code in the fall of 2020, and an assessment of the code was released about a year later. That assessment found that 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.

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/city-council-passes-zoning-reform-legislation-bw1/

 

Columbus prepares for new zoning code to go into effect next month

 

With Columbus' new zoning code approved, the real work begins for the city.

 

The legislation is slated to go into effect on August 28. The new zoning code creates six new mixed-use districts along 31 key corridors in Columbus. 12,300 parcels are touched by this new zoning code.

 

The mixed-use districts include:

• Urban General 1: The base height in this new district is four stories.
• Urban General 2: The base height in this new district is four stories.
• Urban Center: The base height in this district is five stories, but a landowner could build up to seven stories if they agree to affordability requirements. This kind of district tends to be in older parts of the city, key intersections or future LinkUs stops.
• Urban Core: The base height here is 12 stories, with an available bonus of up to four more stories if the project has affordable units.
• Community Activity Center: The base height here is five stories, with a possibility of two more stories if the project is affordable. This kind of district tends to be in a more suburban area.
• Regional Activity Center: The base height here is seven stories, with a possibility of three more stories if the project has affordable units incorporated. This kind of district is in a more suburban area.

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/07/31/columbus-city-council-zoning-approved.html

 

^On that map Worthington is mislabeled as Dublin.

Edited August 1, 2024Aug 1 by GCrites

I wonder how long after the new zoning officially goes into effect that we get our first 12-16 story building proposal 

 

The city of Minneapolis passed something similar to our recent zoning changes in 2019. 

A guest columnist in today's Dispatch shares what their city is seeing five years after passage:

 

Columbus zoning changes will work, as it did in Minneapolis

 

Columbus just achieved a historic vote — a vote to help more neighbors find a home they can afford, a vote to say no to the racist practice of exclusionary zoning, and a vote to say yes, more people should be able to call Columbus home.

 

In 2019, Minneapolis took similar action to what Columbus just passed — and it worked! I am a board member for Neighbors for More Neighbors in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who advocated for these changes, and I am glad to share that our city has successfully created more homes, housing costs have stabilized, and we are building healthier, more vibrant communities.

 

While there is still more work to be done, Minneapolis has led other Midwestern cities in housing construction per capita over the last five years.

 

Minneapolis allowed more housing along transit corridors — putting homes where it makes sense and giving people choices about how they get to work, school and play. Adding homes near transit also supports the health of our transit systems and reduces traffic.

 

Columbus needs more housing

 

Allowing more homes near transit and on commercial corridors — as the Columbus Zone In plan does — is important for many reasons. Homes near jobs, businesses and transit can create the thriving, walkable communities many of us want to live in.

 

Alongside reforms to build more homes near transit, Minneapolis repealed parking mandates, allowing property owners to determine what parking they need on site based on transit access, walkability and bikeability. This has translated into more homes built at a lower cost — and still with parking, just not requiring more than they need.

 

The impacts have made a real difference for families, housing stability and residents’ pocketbooks.

 

While many Midwestern cities have seen rent increase nearly 30% since 2017, Minneapolis residents have seen decreases in rent following our zoning reforms, giving families more money in their bank accounts and greater ability to take care of their kids.

 

Recent research from Pew Charitable Trusts shows that Minneapolis has seen a significant (12 - 13%) decrease in homelessness over the same period.

 

Columbus can mirror Minneapolis’ success

 

In closing, I wanted to share some of my hopes for Columbus — and what I believe will happen next. My hope is that you, your city and your elected officials continue to say yes to allowing more homes of different sizes and prices to meet the changing needs of communities.

 

Based on our experience in Minneapolis, these ongoing changes will help set Columbus on a path forward to build more homes and see rents and home prices stabilize. These changes will help more of your neighbors and community members remain stable in their homes and communities, creating more vibrant, healthy and welcoming places to live.

 

Take it from Minneapolis: These reforms work.

 

Anton Schieffer is a board member for Neighbors for More Neighbors, a group that stands up for secure, abundant homes for everyone in the Twin Cities.

 

 

The hand wringing by a few people on the Clintonville Discussion Forum on FB is very entertaining. They’re convinced all of High St will be 16 story buildings. Minimal googling will tell them that 4 story is the max for the majority of High in the neighborhood. 

4 hours ago, Pablo said:

The hand wringing by a few people on the Clintonville Discussion Forum on FB is very entertaining. They’re convinced all of High St will be 16 story buildings. Minimal googling will tell them that 4 story is the max for the majority of High in the neighborhood. 

It should be 7-10 honestly, but yeah people complaining are annoying. 

5 hours ago, Pablo said:

The hand wringing by a few people on the Clintonville Discussion Forum on FB is very entertaining. They’re convinced all of High St will be 16 story buildings. Minimal googling will tell them that 4 story is the max for the majority of High in the neighborhood. 

 

I hope the "max" in that case does get pushed, because High can definitely handle more than that. I do think the height standards are a little too conservative across the board for my liking. 

 

New Columbus zoning code goes into effect today

 

"The new zoning code, the culmination of years of research, work and months of public outreach, creates six new mixed-use districts along 31 key corridors in Columbus. Some 12,300 parcels are touched by the new code.

 

Kevin Wheeler, Columbus' assistant director for growth policy, said housing, transit, local businesses and equity drove the changes.

 

Projects already proposed on parcels along those 31 corridors will be evaluated using the old code. Any new projects won't be heard until Columbus City Council gets back from its August break. They will fall under the new zoning code.

 

The new code has eliminated the need for most variances, unless the proposed project does not meet new design standards.

 

If a proposed project meets the standards and fits within the guidelines of the new mixed-use districts, there should be no need to apply for a variance. Sites that sit in historic or design review districts will still need to follow those design guidelines."

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/08/28/zoning.html

 

^I've been cowering in my basement - have we lost all our historic buildings yet? Can anyone see the sun?

'Overwhelming' majority of Central Ohioans favor zoning changes to build more housing, study shows

 

A majority of Central Ohioans support building more kinds of housing and the zoning changes that would be necessary to do so.

 

"It was overwhelming in every sense," said Carlie Boos, executive director of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio. "There was overwhelming need demonstrated in the survey and overwhelming support for policy solutions just across the board.

 

"Overwhelming was the only word that came to mind when we started looking at it."

 

The new study from the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio was released Monday, fittingly dubbed "Overwhelming."

 

The study found that a majority of respondents are personally affected by Central Ohio's housing shortage, or they know someone who is; a majority of Central Ohioans are in support of building more "missing middle" housing; and there is broad support for zoning changes to help bring more housing online.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/02/03/ahaco-zoning-study-more-housing.html

1 hour ago, ColDayMan said:

'Overwhelming' majority of Central Ohioans favor zoning changes to build more housing, study shows

 

A majority of Central Ohioans support building more kinds of housing and the zoning changes that would be necessary to do so.

 

"It was overwhelming in every sense," said Carlie Boos, executive director of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio. "There was overwhelming need demonstrated in the survey and overwhelming support for policy solutions just across the board.

 

"Overwhelming was the only word that came to mind when we started looking at it."

 

The new study from the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio was released Monday, fittingly dubbed "Overwhelming."

 

The study found that a majority of respondents are personally affected by Central Ohio's housing shortage, or they know someone who is; a majority of Central Ohioans are in support of building more "missing middle" housing; and there is broad support for zoning changes to help bring more housing online.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/02/03/ahaco-zoning-study-more-housing.html

Wow crazy!! Who would ever think people want to live in a healthy friendly walkable community?? 
 

I’m glad they did the study but the person that was amazed by the results has clearly never lived in a neighborhood. 

New Survey Shows Broad Support for Denser Housing in All Types of Neighborhoods

 

 

Results from a survey of Central Ohio residents conducted last fall suggest broad support for building new housing in existing neighborhoods. A new report from the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO) lays out the results of the survey, and the organization is working to get the word out about its findings.

 

“This survey documented overwhelming support for pro-housing policies throughout the region,” said Carlie J. Boos, Executive Director of AHACO. “This wasn’t just Columbus, it was everywhere. People are tired of having their housing choices dictated by zoning codes that reflect what their great grandparents thought was cool.”

 

The survey asked a series of questions about “missing middle” housing, which it defines as “duplexes, triplexes, or townhomes that are stylistically compatible with the existing homes in that area.”

 

Large majorities said they support the development of that type of housing in existing single family neighborhoods, and that they support changing zoning rules to allow it to be built on any residential lot.

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/new-survey-shows-broad-support-for-denser-housing-in-all-types-of-neighborhoods-bw1/

 

 

On the docket for Monday's Columbus City Council meeting...

(March 10, 2025)

 

 

Expanding Zone In in Northeast Columbus

 

Council President Shannon G. Hardin and Council Pro Tem Rob Dorans are co-sponsoring Resolution 0030X-2025 to propose the rezoning of identified sections of S.R. 161 under Title 34. After careful examination and strong community support, the City determined this section meets the criteria for new mixed-use zoning to allow for walkable, transit-friendly development.

 

The 165 parcels included in this proposal run along sections of S.R. 161 between Worthington City limits to the west and Ponderosa Drive to the east. Following the initial passage of the Zone In code, it was determined that these parcels meet the specific criteria to be rezoned under Title 34, such as capacity to support new housing and mixed-use development, proximity to COTA routes and other pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and a need for uniform design standards, among other considerations.

 

If this Resolution is approved, a 60-day public comment period will begin, giving residents and businesses a chance to provide feedback before City Council takes further action. 

 

Residents are encouraged to visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate to review the proposed changes and submit feedback before the comment period ends on Saturday, May 10. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 8Mar 8 by Luvcbus
Added map

16 minutes ago, Luvcbus said:

 

On the docket for Monday's Columbus City Council meeting...

(March 10, 2025)

 

Expanding Zone In in Northeast Columbus

 

Council President Shannon G. Hardin and Council Pro Tem Rob Dorans are co-sponsoring Resolution 0030X-2025 to propose the rezoning of identified sections of S.R. 161 under Title 34. After careful examination and strong community support, the City determined this section meets the criteria for new mixed-use zoning to allow for walkable, transit-friendly development.

 

The 165 parcels included in this proposal run along sections of S.R. 161 between Worthington City limits to the west and Ponderosa Drive to the east. Following the initial passage of the Zone In code, it was determined that these parcels meet the specific criteria to be rezoned under Title 34, such as capacity to support new housing and mixed-use development, proximity to COTA routes and other pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and a need for uniform design standards, among other considerations.

 

If this Resolution is approved, a 60-day public comment period will begin, giving residents and businesses a chance to provide feedback before City Council takes further action. 

 

Residents are encouraged to visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate to review the proposed changes and submit feedback before the comment period ends on Saturday, May 10. 

 

This would be amazing and hopefully it passes and new projects start quickly. That road is so damn wide you could have two BRT lines, 2 bike lanes and have enough room for street parking and lanes. 

The 161 Zone-In changes are now open for public comment.

 

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/92ef9a87f0de45c6985df391e7965a79/

 

Timeline, Strategy Laid Out for Next Phases of Zoning Reform

 

The City of Columbus will be continuing its overhaul of the zoning code this year, but don’t expect the rules for development in single family neighborhoods to be changing any time soon. After passing new zoning legislation last summer for many of the city’s high-traffic corridors (and adding in parts of 161/East Dublin Granville Road earlier this year), the city is now moving on to the second phase of the initiative.

 

Phase Two will focus on areas that are currently zoned for commercial, industrial or manufacturing uses.

 

“Those are the three broad categories we’re going to be looking at,” said Luis Teba, the city’s Zone In Columbus Project Manager. “There will also be a housing component of it as well, because we still have a housing affordability issue within the city…it’s about trying to create kind of a synergy between where people work and where people live, and creating updated zoning districts.”

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/timeline-strategy-laid-out-for-next-phases-of-zoning-reform-bw1/