Development Commission approves two rezoning requests, tables two others

Columbus Development Commission members on April 10, 2025 approved two rezoning requests intended to allow small multiunit residential development and voted to table two other cases for later review.

The approvals covered: a request to rezone an undeveloped parcel in the LC-2/Linden Hurst area to AR-1 (apartment residential) to allow a two‑unit dwelling along East Whittier Street, and a request to change an R-3 lot on Atchison Street to R-4 to permit a three‑unit dwelling as described in the concurrent council variance filing. Commissioners heard a staff report that the proposals fit the near South Side plan’s guidance and that the Columbus Southside Area Commission recommended approval for the East Whittier site.

Staff framed the first approval as a rezoning that would align the parcel with adjacent AR-1 zoning on the block and the near South Side plan’s mixed‑use recommendations. The staff presentation noted the property is within the near South Side plan boundary and that variances tied to the projects (lot width, side yards, parking) would be handled through separate council variance files and not before the Development Commission.

Brenda Parker, the project architect for one applicant, identified herself during the meeting: “No. My name is Brenda Parker. I’m the architect.” A single public commenter, David Shatten, registered his presence and said, “No comment.”

Before taking the two approvals, commissioners moved to table cases 3 and 4 — both of which were read into the record at the start of the meeting. The chair read case numbers and parcel descriptions for cases 3 and 4 and a motion to table both was offered and seconded; the commission then announced the cases were tabled and will be scheduled at a later commission meeting with new notices to affected parties.

Votes at a glance

- Case 1 (East Whittier area rezoning to AR-1): Approved. Recorded roll‑call in the transcript shows Commissioners Maria Conroy, Johnny Wilson, Taylor Quinn and Margaret Patrick voting yes. (Staff presentation and applicant statements are in the record.)

- Case 2 (Atchison Street rezoning R-3 to R-4 / concurrent variance CD24-166 referenced): Approved. Recorded roll‑call in the transcript shows Commissioners Amanda Goldman, Tom Henderson, Anne O’Brien and Maria Connor voting yes.

- Cases 3 and 4 (read at the start of the meeting; addresses read into the record): Motion to table carried; both items were tabled for a future Development Commission meeting and will be re‑noticed.

What the commission said and asked

Staff emphasized that variances tied to the approved rezonings (lot width, side yard, parking) will be adjudicated by city council and are not before the commission. Commissioners asked routine clarifying questions about compatibility with surrounding single‑unit dwellings and the applicable near South Side plan guidance; staff answered that the AR‑1 rezoning would match adjacent zoning and be consistent with the plan’s recommended mixed‑use neighborhood land use. No additional study requests or conditions were recorded in the transcript.

Procedural notes and next steps

The meeting record shows the tabling motion for cases 3 and 4 was made at the meeting’s start; applicants and interested parties will receive notice when those items are rescheduled. For the two approved rezonings, staff noted the council variance filings (referenced in the record) remain pending at city council and would be needed for the projects to proceed to development approvals.