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Columbus council approves rezoning for assisted‑living project at Middle and Rocky Ford
Summary
The Columbus Common Council approved on second reading a rezoning that would allow a developer to build an assisted‑living and memory care facility at the southeast corner of Middle Road and Rocky Ford Road. The vote was 9–0.
Columbus Common Council on Sept. 16 approved on second reading an ordinance rezoning about 8.12 acres at the southeast corner of Middle Road and Rocky Ford Road from BCN (neighborhood commercial) to RM (residential multifamily) to allow development proposals including an assisted‑living and memory care facility by Dover Development. The ordinance passed 9–0.
The planning department presented the parcel as an infill opportunity within an area currently zoned neighborhood commercial but surrounded by a mix of single‑family homes, apartments and a mobile home community. "This is a location of neighborhood commercial zoning really in the midst of residential neighborhoods of varying densities," planning staff member Jeff Bridal said, noting the site’s proximity to transit, parks and nearby commercial service areas identified in the department’s 2017 Neighborhood Commercial Access and Design Study.
The applicant representatives, who participated by Webex, identified an assisted‑living and memory care facility as their intended use. Bridal cautioned that rezoning to multifamily would allow other uses permitted in the RM district if Dover Development did not proceed, including apartments. He also noted the Planning Commission recommended the rezoning by an 8–2 vote.
Council discussion focused on long‑term uses for the site, planning guidance and past analyses that profiled the property as a candidate for infill development. One council member noted the parcel has been designated for commercial use for decades without commercial activity and said development of a care facility could serve community needs.
With no members of the public speaking on the item during the public comment period, a councilor moved and a second was recorded; the roll call vote recorded nine "aye" votes and no "nays." The council recorded Christopher Johnson, Elaine Hilbert, Jerome Wood, Kent Anderson, Wright Nolan, Jay Ford, Josh Brown, Tom Dell and Grace Kessler as voting in favor. The ordinance passed on second reading.
Background materials presented to the council included the city comprehensive plan’s future‑land‑use map, the 2017 Neighborhood Commercial Access and Design Study and a Planning Department site‑analysis that flagged this parcel among a number of infill opportunities.
