Council passes first reading to annex single residential lot for sewer connection

The Columbus City Council approved first reading of an annexation ordinance on Jan. 7 for a single residential lot owned by Nichols Properties, a parcel the city staff described as less than half an acre and fully surrounded by the city’s limits.

City planning staff told the council the request is for annexation only; there is no concurrent zoning change. The property’s current zoning was described in staff remarks as "agriculture preferred," and the applicant, identified in staff materials as Ed Nickel, has requested annexation to allow connection to city sewer service. Staff said the property sits within an area the comprehensive plan shows as future residential use.

Planning Commission considered the request and forwarded a unanimous recommendation for annexation to the council, staff said. Staff also told the council that while the owner could seek to connect to city water, retaining an existing well on the property is possible; the record did not indicate an immediate mandatory water hook-up.

Council Member Tom asked whether the property would be required to hook to city water; staff replied that the owner could keep a well and that specific hookup requirements were not certain from staff’s quick response.

Following questions and no public comment on the item, a council member moved to pass the ordinance on first reading. The motion carried by voice vote recorded as 9-0.

The ordinance will return on a subsequent meeting for second reading and any required legislative steps under city code.