The Columbus City Council this week will consider amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance and official zoning map that would create a new zoning district on the west side at Columbus’ I-65 front door entryway.
City officials have said the goal of the move would be to ensure cohesive development in the area using a uniform set of architectural guidelines.
It will be the first reading of an ordinance that includes three amendments to the zoning ordinance— one to create a new “Columbus Front Door Overlay Zoning District,” another to include properties near the I-65 and Jonathan Moore Pike intersection in the new district and a third to rezone Columbus Crossing from PUD (Planned Unit Development) to CR (Commercial: Regional Center).
Ordinances must be passed on two readings to be approved. The council will meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall.
The Columbus Plan Commission on May 8 unanimously voted to forward a favorable reccomendation to the city council on the matter.
The proposed amendments won’t require any changes to existing buildings, but will apply to property that is vacant or that will develop in the future, according to the planning department.
Topics addressed by the guidelines include building facade materials and features, roof top mechanical equipment, downspouts, building orientation, screening signs, and accessory/incidental structures.
Senior Planner Jessie Boshell said that the guidelines were based off what has been built within the Columbus Crossing PUD and the properties directly north along State Road 46.
The Columbus Crossing Planning Unit Development (PUD) was created in 2003 to provide a framework and basic architectural design guidelines for the development of the Menard’s and surrounding properties. The proposed new overlay district is intended to replace the Columbus Crossing PUD, according to the city.
A PUD is a custom set of zoning regulations that are negotiated on a case-by-case basis between a developer and the city for new, unique development projects.
