Photo provided A plat map of the proposed Windstar Woods major subdivision.
The city of Columbus has cleared a developer to start work on a new residential subdivision that drew some criticism from neighbors during a previous rezoning request.
The Columbus Board of Works has approved a subdivision improvement agreement with JOLI Development, LLC for the Windstar Woods major subdivision.
According to a memo from senior planner Ashley Beckort, the subdivision will be located on the west side of Taylor Road, between Greenbriar Addition and Skyview Estates. The approved preliminary plat for the development includes 89 lots and three common areas — one for the stormwater detention area and preserved woods, two for buffering along Taylor Road.
JOLI Development is proposing to construct the project in one phase.
“The developer is seeking approval to begin construction of the streets, sidewalks, storm sewers, and other public improvements,” Beckort wrote. “They are not, at this time, also seeking approval for the final subdivision plat. That plat approval, which is necessary prior to the construction of homes on the lots, will be requested in the future.”
At that time, all of the developer’s public improvements will be complete, or substantially complete with a financial guarantee for outstanding items.
The Windstar Woods development attracted many comments and concerns from members of the public when a rezoning request was initially brought before the city’s plan commission in May of 2022.
These concerns included density, lot size, how much green space would be provided, increased traffic and potential strain on schools.
Columbus City Council voted in July to rezone the 19-acre property at 3272 Taylor Road from Residential: Single Family 2 (RS2) to Residential: Single Family 4 (RS4) with the following commitments:
- A minimum of 13,000 square feet of open space composed mainly of preserved woods.
- Limiting development to a maximum of 90 single-family lots.
- A 15-foot-wide tree preservation easement where woods or a “vegetated fence line” are present along the south and west property lines (except for where street and utility connections must be made).
- A public street connection to Taylor Road.
- Lots located along the north, west and south perimeter of the development must have a width of at least 60 feet (which matches the minimum set by RS3)
