Development commission backs 216-unit apartment project on Central College Road over neighborhood objections

The Columbus City Development Commission on July 10 voted to send a recommendation of approval to City Council for a 216-unit apartment complex proposed at 4691 Central College Road, despite sustained opposition from the Northland Community Council and dozens of nearby residents.

The project, proposed by Preferred Living, would rezone the site to a limited apartment residential district and build 216 units with amenities including a pool, clubhouse, pickleball courts and on-site parking. Developer representatives described multiple revisions to the site plan that increased setbacks and added screening after meetings with the community.

Attorney David Hodge, representing Preferred Living, told the commission the project responds to city and regional housing goals, and summarized planners’ review of local policy. “But now in 2025, our community has a housing problem. We do,” Hodge said, arguing that the proposal aligns with city priorities to add housing near jobs and transit.

Opponents — including neighborhood leaders and dozens of residents — urged denial. David Paul, co-chair of the Northland Community Council development committee, said the committee met with more than 75 neighbors and voted unanimously to recommend disapproval. “The density of the project, the 22 dwelling units per acre, was far too high for this location,” Paul said.

Neighbor David Slobey told commissioners the proposal would “encroach into the middle of an established neighborhood community of single family homes” and that petitions and signatories opposed the rezoning. Other residents raised traffic, height and setback concerns and argued the site is inconsistent with Northland plan recommendations that call for lower-density housing in much of the area.

Developers said they revised building orientation, increased the southern setback and expanded landscaping along the east property line after meetings with the Northland Community Council and city recreation staff; they pointed to nearby areas that already have multiunit zoning and said the site is compatible with the broader corridor. The applicant also showed exhibits emphasizing tree preservation and design changes intended to reduce visual impacts on neighboring yards.

Commissioners debated compatibility and traffic, with several noting the project’s substantial buffering and tree preservation commitments while others said the change in scale from single-family homes to three-story apartment buildings was abrupt. The commission ultimately approved forwarding the rezoning with a recommendation of approval.

Outcome and next steps: The commission voted to send the rezoning request to Columbus City Council with a recommendation of approval. City Council will consider the ordinance and any required variances or final development commitments before a decision.

Votes at the commission: motion carried; roll-call details were recorded in the hearing record. (Names and individual votes are recorded in the meeting minutes.)