A proposed assisted living facility on the city’s west side has received initial approval for rezoning and annexation into the city.
The Columbus City Council voted Tuesday to annex and rezone more than 25 acres along Goeller Boulevard for Indianapolis-based Leo Brown Group’s proposed development, Traditions of Columbus.
About 17.3 acres would be rezoned as multifamily residential property at 4300 Goeller Blvd. Another 8.8 acres of property at 4441 W. County Road 25 South will be annexed if the council approves a final reading of the request later this month.
Traditions of Columbus would include a combination of 126 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom assisted living residences designated for assisted living, independent living and memory care.
When a 288-unit apartment complex was proposed for the same space in 2016, Columbus resident George Gratz, 1225 Black Hawk Drive, strongly opposed the project, citing increased traffic and safety concerns. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, however, Gratz told the council he was in favor of the assisted living facility.
“After having been disenchanted with the apartment complex, I happened to be involved with a couple exploratory things in terms of potential development in this area,” Gratz said. “Having seen that over a three-year period, I think we would be really naive to think that there’s not going to be development along this corridor at some point in the future.”
Gratz said he thinks this plan is as good as it gets when looking at traffic numbers, given the residential population for an assisted living facility is lower than previous proposals for apartments.
The Columbus Plan Commission offered a favorable recommendation for the project in January, but requested that emergency access be developed on County Road 25 South, additional sidewalks added to Goeller and use of the property be limited to retirement and assisted living facilities only.
Council members also recommended adding a buffer between single-family residences surrounding the property and the site.
An amended request to include the buffer will be considered on final reading at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at Columbus City Hall council chambers.
