The Development Commission on Oct. 9 voted to table an application from developer LDG for a rezoning and concurrent variances to build a 198‑unit apartment complex on an 8.34‑acre site on North Hague Avenue.

The project drew sustained public opposition during the hearing. Speakers from the West Scioto area commission and dozens of neighborhood residents told commissioners the proposal is incompatible with surrounding low‑density residential areas, would overload already strained roads and emergency services, and would require clear‑cutting an existing tree canopy that residents said supports wildlife and stormwater control.

Why it matters: The proposal would change the site’s holding category zoning (annexation holding) to AR‑1 apartment residential and allow up to 198 units on 8.34 acres. Opponents said the scale — roughly 24 units per acre in testimony — far exceeds the area’s current pattern and the Treview Roberts area plan recommendation for very low density residential in parts of the planning area.

Applicant presentation: Mike Shannon, attorney for the applicant, said LDG is a national developer of “full spectrum attainable housing” and described design changes the team made after meetings with neighbors, including moving a clubhouse to the frontage, adding perimeter screening, removing requests for parking and height variances and redesigning the vehicular access. Shannon said the developer had agreed to a southbound left‑turn lane after multi‑jurisdictional traffic review and that the project includes on‑site management and resident services. He described the project as a roughly $15,000,000 development and said LDG manages more than 28,000 units nationwide.

Community concerns: Rita Cabral, serving as a West Scioto area commission representative, said the area commission voted unanimously against the proposal and urged that density be reduced or the project relocated to a more suitable site, such as brownfield properties. Anita Mitchell, a property owner on Hague Avenue, said public safety services are already stretched and that traffic and gridlock have blocked emergency access at times. Environmental concerns were raised by Alex Nichols, who said the plan would clear about eight acres of forest and risk the health of 50‑year‑old trees that provide habitat and stormwater benefits.

Planning context and staff position: Staff noted the site sits within the Treyview Roberts area plan boundary and is subject to Columbus citywide planning policies and design guidelines. The staff report recommended approval, citing adjacent multiunit developments with similar densities to the north and northeast and the city’s objective to increase housing in all neighborhoods. The West Scioto area commission had recommended disapproval.

Commission action: After extensive public testimony and discussion, a motion to table the application passed by roll call (Adam Clay — yes; Dan Fertelman — no; Maria Conroy — yes; chair — yes). Commissioners voting to table said they wanted more time for review given the extent of neighborhood concern and suggested further work between applicant, area commission and staff.

Next steps: Tabling preserves the application on the commission docket while the applicant may choose to revise the proposal and return to the commission. Commissioners told residents and the applicant that future changes and any accompanying traffic or infrastructure commitments should be clearly documented before a return hearing.