Council Hears Rezoning Request from Hodges Landscaping; Nearby Resident Objects to Conflict with Future Land Use Map

Nathan Belger presented a staff summary to the Columbia City Common Council on Jan. 13, 2026, of a rezoning petition to change the remainder of an approximately 11‑acre parcel at 875 North State Road 109 from R‑1 to General Business (GB). Belger said the planning commission held a public hearing and issued a unanimous favorable recommendation (8–0 with one absence).

The applicant (identified in the transcript as the property operator) described plans to consolidate split‑zoned parcels, construct operations buildings and greenhouses, and add retail access to the greenhouse area. The applicant told council members the rezoning would allow a second driveway onto State Road 109 to improve sight lines and traffic safety and said prior conversations with ODOT indicated a curb‑cut review process with an estimated 45‑day window for approval. The applicant also described neighbor buffering measures, including a 10–12 foot earthen privacy/security mound and evergreen plantings.

Nearby resident Isaac Reinegar, who lives at 1001 N. State Road 109, told the council he had submitted written objections and urged the council to evaluate the petition against the city’s currently adopted comprehensive plan and future land use map, saying commercial expansion beyond what the future land use map allows would be inappropriate until the map is formally amended. The applicant and staff referenced the planning commission recommendation and the portion of the property already zoned GB; the transcript does not record a final council vote on the rezoning in the provided segments, though a motion to approve Order 2026‑1 on first reading (mover: Ryan; second: Brent) is recorded.