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Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus' proposed Zone In update may allow mixed-use development in Northland. See where.
A stretch of State Route 161 in Columbus' Northland neighborhood exemplifies car-centric urban planning around the city. There are no sidewalks along this part of S.R. 161, also known as East Dublin-Granville Road, and people stand at bus stops in the grass. Many businesses are set far back from the road with big parking lots. Northland community leaders want the area rezoned to enable walkable, mixed-use development and set design standards, said Pat Hammel, vice president of the Northland Community Council. "Northland is the most populous area of the city with a large percentage of families without cars, and 161 is one of the least walkable areas of the city," said Alice Foeller, president of the Northland Business Association in a prepared release. Columbus could soon rezone this East Dublin-Granville corridor, continuing the city's zoning overhaul, "Zone In," that began last year. City Council passed an ordinance Monday declaring their intent to update the zoning for 165 parcels along Route 161, east of Worthington. If rezoned as proposed, requirements for setbacks and parking would be reduced. Also, mixed-use development and taller buildings would be allowed, up to seven stories on most of the parcels. The ordinance opens a 60-day public comment period. Residents can visit to review the proposed changes and submit feedback. There will also be opportunities to speak at public hearings on April 2 and May 28. "Someday, there will be a wholesale reimagining of the corridor with trees, transit hubs, public art and twinkle lights beckoning visitors to our ethnic shops and restaurants," Foeller said, but rezoning is the first step. Multiple Northland area organizations have advocated for the zoning update, including the Northland Community Council, Elevate Northland, Northland Area Business Association and the association's 161 Task Force. 'The Northland community has been consistent in their enthusiasm and support for this endeavor, and we are excited to include them as part of this historic effort,' Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said in a prepared release. 'This application of the new zoning code along State Route 161 reflects our commitment to embrace new opportunities as they arise, ensuring that our new code is both flexible and inclusive, and addresses the diverse needs of residents and businesses.' The first phase of Zone In passed the City Council last summer. Phase one rezoned more than 12,300 parcels along major urban corridors served by Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) bus lines. City leaders have said the intention is to address the city's housing crisis by making it easier to build housing without having to apply for variances (exceptions to city rules). This part of Northland did not initially meet the guidelines for phase one due to its lack of sidewalks. This is not a phase two, but an update to phase one of Zone In, said City Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, chair of Council's Zoning Committee. 'Columbus is facing a housing crisis, and this zoning update is another step forward in our commitment to bringing more homes that people can actually afford to Columbus,' Dorans said. He said council intends to take "smaller bites of the apple" like this along the way, but phase two of Zone In could rezone another large batch of parcels in late 2025 or 2026. More local news: Survey says Columbus NIMBY concerns overblown, most want more affordable housing jlaird@ @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus' Northland lobbies for zoning to allow mixed-use development
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zoning change would boost housing, business in Northland
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — More housing could be coming to a northeast Columbus community due to a zoning update in the Northland area. Columbus City Council members approved this potential update. Now the public will have a chance to voice their opinions. Ollie's acquires 40 more Big Lots stores; other locations face restructuring hurdles The zoning change would allow for mixed-use building construction in the Northland neighborhood, meaning space for both businesses and apartments. The corridor in question is the east 161 corridor from Worthington city limits to Ponderosa Avenue. 'We are becoming, in essence, the international hub of Columbus with new Americans and immigrants and this will provide us the opportunity to capitalize on all of those aspirations that people might have,' Northland Community Council Vice President Pat Hammel said. Last summer Columbus passed the first zoning code change in the city in decades. The first phase focused on main Columbus corridors. Now some zoning updates will focus on smaller areas in the city. 'One of the lessons that we learned in order to make sure that we are being very transparent with residents about what this does and doesn't do in their communities, we realize it's probably best to have some smaller bites at the apple,' Columbus City Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans said. This area wasn't in the original phase one in part because of the lack of sidewalks, but Dorans said advocacy from the community, improved COTA services and planned infrastructure improvements were driving forces behind the update. Inside look at Ohio State's new hospital tower 'The more that we evaluated from a planning standpoint, what planned infrastructure the city can make investments in over the next five, ten years, that really stood out as a place for us to really bring this update here sooner and later,' Dorans said. If the change moves forward, the Northland community will become a space for more housing and businesses. 'Folks may love what we're doing, they may not love what we're doing, but I want to make sure folks understand what we're doing,' Dorans said. 'I often say to people, retiring doesn't mean I want to go to sleep and it means we won't be sleepy anymore,' Hammel said. Now the public has a say. Public comment has begun and continues for the next 60 days. To review the proposed changes and submit feedback, visit the city's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
