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Downtown commission approves two affordable housing proposals with staff condition on dumpster orientation
Summary
The Downtown Commission approved demolition and replacement proposals at 164 North Grant Avenue (82 units) and 149 Cleveland Avenue (104 units including 84 affordable units) and conditioned final approval of dumpster orientation and related landscaping to staff sign‑off after applicant revisions and neighbor outreach.
Staff presented two tabled applications to replace existing low‑rise structures and surface parking with new five‑story housing developments near Columbus State Community College: 164 North Grant Avenue (five stories, 82 affordable units) and 149 Cleveland Avenue (five stories, 104 units with 20 student units and 84 affordable units).
The applicant team (Jonathan McKay of Woda Cooper and the design team) described changes made since the conceptual review: expanded brick sections up the façade, improved alley paving details, revised refuse and transformer enclosures with brick and cast‑concrete caps, and added buffering and planting. Staff confirmed submitted materials include site plans, HABS‑lite documentation for the circa‑1900 structure and a State Historic Preservation Office letter.
A nearby property owner, Debbie Richards, testified during public comment that her historic garage and single‑story portion of her house sit three inches from the building proposed for demolition and expressed safety concerns after earlier core sampling on 08/18/2025 caused shaking. She asked the commission to defer demolition approval until Columbus State and she could meet and agree on protections. The applicant team said they had met with her and would provide a formal response and continue discussions.
Commissioners discussed truck access and dumpster orientation; Tony (commissioner) and others said the current orientation required revision to accommodate front‑load or other trash collection movements. The applicant’s civil engineer said they would adjust dumpster orientation and the applicant agreed to revise graphics and provide clearer plans. Commissioners modified a motion to approve by carving out the final dumpster orientation, allowing staff to administratively approve the final dumpster orientation and any associated minor landscaping adjustments.
The commission then voted to approve the applications with that staff‑approval condition. Commissioners requested the applicant provide follow‑up materials (including the HABs/HABS documentation and a written response to the neighbor’s safety concerns) and to coordinate final details with staff prior to building permits.
Action recorded: approvals granted with a condition that staff have authority to approve the final dumpster orientation and related landscaping adjustments; applicants to submit follow‑up materials and formal neighbor response.
