Council approves several housing funding measures and rezones North Hamilton site despite neighborhood objections

Columbus City Council passed a package of housing-related measures and approved a rezoning and concurrent variance for a 60-unit, income‑restricted housing project at 5432 North Hamilton Road despite objections from nearby residents and a disapproval from the Northland Community Council.

What the council approved: The council adopted multiple ordinances on second reading that fund affordable housing production and supports for people experiencing homelessness, including: - up to $2,000,000 in HOME Investment Partnership Program funds for Commons at Grant (ordinance 0964-2025) to renovate and maintain 100 deeply affordable studio apartments and supportive services, with 20 units reserved for residents at or below 30% AMI; the project also uses project-based vouchers from CMHA as permanent supportive housing; - $2,502,000 from the hotel/motel short-term rental excise tax to the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County (ordinance 1063-2025) for affordable housing production and homeownership programs; - a $10,399,650 allocation to the Community Shelter Board (ordinance 1101-2025) to sustain emergency shelter, outreach, permanent supportive housing and other homelessness interventions.

Zoning and variance: The council rezoned 5432 North Hamilton Road from CPD (Commercial Planned Development) to AR2 (Apartment Residential) and granted a council variance that reduced parking, permitted greater building height and adjusted yard and landscaping standards so Homeport can build a 60‑unit affordable building (25 one‑bedroom, 28 two‑bedroom and 7 three‑bedroom units). The developer said the 60‑unit scale was required to secure state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing and that the project’s units will be income‑restricted between 30% and 70% of area median income.

Neighbors’ concerns: Two neighbors who spoke at public comment — Emily Toms and Daniel Stubner — said they support affordable housing in principle but opposed the site plan’s height, density and reduced parking. Toms said the property previously had a mature tree buffer that was cleared and that the proximity and height of a four‑story building would reduce privacy and could depress nearby property values. Stubner raised emergency‑access and firefighting concerns, asking whether the site can be served safely by ladder trucks and whether parking constraints would impede rescue operations. City staff and the applicant responded that the Division of Fire reviewed the final site compliance package, that the developer adjusted circulation to accommodate emergency access, and that windows facing the rear would not include balconies; the applicant also said a six‑foot board‑on‑board fence and remaining vegetation will provide screening.

City housing staff: Erin Prosser, deputy director for housing strategies, told council the project fits the city’s housing strategy by adding income‑restricted housing in an area where rents and home prices have risen faster than the city average; she cited Census-tract data showing rent and home-price increases and argued additional supply would reduce displacement pressure on lower‑income households.

Vote and authority: Council approved both the rezoning and the council variance after staff presentations from Planning, Traffic Management and Building/Zoning Services. The council record shows the Northland Community Council opposed the project; city staff recommended approval. The applicant (Homeport) said the site plan and elevations were revised during the review process and that the project includes supporting services and a modest on‑site playspace for families.

What to watch: The applicant said the project depends on state housing tax-credit financing; that financing and construction timing will determine when the units come online. Council members and staff said they will monitor final site compliance and construction plans to ensure building and fire‑safety requirements are met.