COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Council voted in favor of changing the city's zoning code Monday night. The code hadn't been significantly changed in 70 years.
City leaders said the new code will allow for more housing and mixed-use development. The city has been talking about the new zoning code for nearly two years. The new zoning will allow for tens of thousands of new housing units along city corridors.
The changes will affect several neighborhoods throughout Columbus. One of those neighborhoods being Franklinton.
One Line Coffee on Rich Street in Franklinton is a part of new development in the neighborhood.
Trent Smith, the executive director of the Franklinton Board of Trade, said the change with zoning needs to happen so more developments can continue to pop up.
“We are excited about the idea that it will update our zoning code to allow for the type of growth we are experiencing and make it more inclusive. Taking into account the legacy folks who need transportation, need affordable housing,” said Smith.
Franklinton has several areas, that aren’t used. But that could now change.
“For Franklinton we have a lot of unused space along Broad Street that really needs to be in productive use,” said Smith.
Smith feels the new zoning isn’t perfect. But he said it’s a start towards change in the right direction.
“Bring more people, more people mean we can have more businesses. The businesses can feel assured they have the pedestrian population that can walk to them,” said Smith. “More people means a grocery store eventually, more people means a pharmacy eventually. All the things Franklinton wants and needs,” he added.
President Pro Tem Rob Dorans said the new potential new zoning code will be more flexible, which he thinks will help the city prepare for the current and future population.
“(The new zoning code is) very focused on making sure we are producing more housing at a time in Columbus when we desperately need it,” said Dorans. “We are looking at what happens over the next 2-4 years in these areas, rather than 2-4 months for example."
Mayor Andrew Ginther previously said the zoning changes will help meet the rising population demands in the city.
“We are no longer able to build new housing fast enough to keep pace with this recent rapid rise in our local population,” said Ginther.