Columbus wants to make its zoning code proactive, not reactive, said Columbus City Councilman Pro Tem Rob Dorans on Monday to WOSU.
Residents can share their reactions to proposed zoning changes at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Douglas Recreation Center, located at 120 Windsor Ave. The public hearing will also be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
"I think it's really important for more residents to be engaged and to fundamentally understand what's being proposed for their neighborhoods," Dorans said.
If approved, the new zoning code would affect about 4% of the city, or around 12,000 parcels, mostly along main roads. Dorans said those areas were chosen because of their access to public transit and nearness to job centers.
Six new zoning categories would allow for taller buildings. The urban core designation would allow buildings to be up to 12 stories tall, or 16 stories if developers include guaranteed affordable housing.
The goal, Dorans said, is to address the city’s lack of housing.
“You know, one of the key barriers towards bringing housing online is a 70-year-old year old zoning code that does not prioritize housing,” Dorans said.
Dorans said the city’s current code focuses mostly on restricting uses, keeping commercial and residential separate, and “imaginary lines that are drawn to keep people apart.”
"One of the key barriers towards bringing housing online is a 70-year-old year old zoning code that does not prioritize housing."- Columbus Councilman Rob Durans
Other designations in the zoning plan unveiled in April include the urban center and community activity center categories, both of which allow attached and detached buildings that would be up to five stories tall, or seven stories with an affordability bonus.
Regional activity centers would allow up seven stories, or 10 with an affordability bonus, whereas two urban general designations cap buildings at four stories.
Dorans said the designations are “customized” to the neighborhoods and which markets can support which types of development.
“So it’s not just thinking about skyscrapers next to single family houses, you know, there’s housing of all sizes and types that will be allowed by this update,” Dorans said.
He said denser housing and affordability bonuses will help bring down housing prices all across the city, which will benefit residents who are not directly impacted by the proposed zoning changes.
Another major zoning change would eliminate parking space minimums, which has sparked concern from Columbus residents.
“But keep in mind, other cities have eliminated these kinds of parking minimums, and they've seen, you know, parking be built, but sort of right-sized parking,” Dorans said.
He said parking can cost $10,000 or more per space to build, which contributes to higher housing costs “and ultimately prioritizes that parking spot over people.”
Residents who want to provide written or public comment at Tuesday’s meeting can email Kevin McCain at kbmccain@columbus.gov by 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The city will have two more public hearings this summer.
