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Columbus council adopts rezoning for ten lots near 8th Street and Hutchins Avenue
Summary
On Feb. 3, 2026 the Columbus Common Council passed Ordinance No. 2, 2026 on second reading to rezone ten lots near 8th Street and Hutchins Avenue from CN (Commercial: Neighborhood) to RE (Residential: Established). The vote was recorded as nine (9) in favor and zero (0) opposed; the Planning Department said the change reflects the area’s residential character.
The Columbus Common Council voted Feb. 3 to adopt Ordinance No. 2, 2026, a rezoning that changes ten lots near 8th Street and Hutchins Avenue from CN (Commercial: Neighborhood) to RE (Residential: Established).
Jeff Bergman, the city’s planning director, presented the ordinance at the council’s second reading, telling members the Planning Department’s view that the parcels “do not have a future commercial development potential” and that their current commercial designation “misidentifies” future uses and places burdens on existing homes. Bergman displayed a site location and surrounding zoning map during his presentation; no members of the public spoke on the item.
Councilor Grace Kestler moved to pass the second reading and adopt the ordinance; Councilor Kent Anderson seconded. The roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes shows nine votes in favor and zero opposed, and the motion was recorded as passing. The transcript also notes that Councilor Elaine Hilber connected to the meeting via WebEx at approximately 6:04 p.m. and was “not present during the vote for approval of meeting minutes”; the official roll calls for the minutes and for the ordinance both record nine Aye votes, an inconsistency reflected in the meeting record.
The rezoning applies to ten lots in the neighborhood near 8th Street and Hutchins Avenue and, according to the planning presentation, is intended to align zoning with the area’s prevailing residential use and to reduce regulatory burdens on existing homeowners. The council did not record any public comment on the rezoning during the meeting.
Following the vote, the council proceeded to other business and adjourned at approximately 6:10 p.m. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
