The Columbus City Council will begin a series of public hearings on the proposed Zoning Code and Map Update on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at the Douglas Recreation Center, 1250 Windsor Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.

 The Zone In Initiative is a multi-phase effort to comprehensively update the City’s Zoning Code and map for the first time in more than 70 years.

Council President Hardin and Council President Pro Tem Dorans, chair of the Zoning Committee, will hold a series of public hearings regarding the proposed new Zoning Code and map.

“The hearing will be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube,” according to Media assistant Nya Hairston.

Members of the public who wish to provide written or public testimony can email Kevin McCain at kbmccain@columbus.gov by 3:00 pm the day of the hearing.

Members of the public can also sign up to speak in person at the hearing. Each speaker will be limited to remarks lasting no longer than three minutes.

In April Columbus, Ohio Mayor Andrew J. Ginther introduced to Columbus City Council a groundbreaking proposal to modernize Columbus’ 70-year-old zoning code to address the city and region’s housing, mobility and affordability challenges while fostering quality development and sustainable growth.

If adopted, the proposal is expected to support the creation of 88,000 new homes – 44% of the region’s housing demand – in 10 years, offering a significant solution to the region’s mounting housing pressures.

Drawing on adopted neighborhood and area plans, two years of technical analysis and engagement with thousands of residents, the code proposal recommends creating six new mixed use zones on 12,300 parcels of land along Columbus’ busiest streets. Presently, these parcels are projected to support the creation of 6,000 housing units, but through market-driven parking strategies, permissibility for taller construction and through a clearer and more navigable process, capacity analysis suggests the proposed code could unlock the creation of 82,000 additional homes.

On Monday, April 8, Columbus City Council considered a resolution to receive the proposal. Based on the resolution, the city initiated a 60-day public comment period.

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url