Board recommends Envision Henderson plan to city council, flags infrastructure and access issues

The Upper Arlington Board of Zoning and Planning on Feb. 19 voted to positively recommend the Envision Henderson visioning study to city council, with the plan tentatively scheduled for council review March 3, 2025. Staff said the document is the result of months of community engagement and is intended to guide visioning along West Henderson Road rather than immediately propose zoning changes.

Planning staff and the consultant recommended the board forward the study without UDO changes at this time, noting that implementation would depend on city council priorities, funding in the capital improvements plan and further engineering work. Staff highlighted corridor safety projects under consideration—including a roundabout at Reid Road and a potential second roundabout at Gettysburg or Durker Road—and said project timing depends in part on larger sanitary‑sewer and stormwater infrastructure work being carried out by the City of Columbus.

Bill Hadler, who identified himself as ownership representative for Suburban Centers (owner of Northwest Center and West Bay Coe Office Building), asked the board to consider property‑access and right‑of‑way limits. He said several proposed roundabout locations lack public right‑of‑way to meet ODOT standards without acquisition and cautioned against proposals that could require eminent domain. Board members and staff discussed access management strategies (including medians and reduced left turns) and the idea of tying the vision plan to future Unified Development Ordinance changes so the guidance has more regulatory effect. After discussion and public comment the board voted to forward a positive recommendation to city council.