Explanation
Rezoning Application Z25-051
APPLICANT: Metro Development III LLC, c/o Elizabeth Seedorf, Atty.; 52 East Gay Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
PROPOSED USE: Multi-unit residential development.
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval (6-0) on November 13, 2025.
FAR SOUTH AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The 17.1± acre site consists of part of one parcel developed with a religious facility in the R, Rural District. The applicant requests the L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District to allow for the development of a multi-unit residential development containing up to 216 dwelling units. The limitation text includes use restrictions, a maximum of 216 dwelling units, and includes supplemental development standards addressing perimeter yards, side and rear yards, pedestrian connectivity, and landscaping. Commitments to develop the site in accordance with the submitted site plan and building elevations are also included in the text. The requested L-ARLD district is compatible with the density and development standards of adjacent multi-unit residential developments. Although the proposed density exceeds the South Central Accord (2000) recommendation of “Low-Density Residential”, Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines (2018) states developments at a density higher than the recommended land use may be supported if they include a high level of site and architectural design. A concurrent Council variance (Ordinance #3347-2025; CV25-097) has been filed to allow an increased garage height, a reduced rear yard, and to reduce required setback areas as depicted on the site plan.
Title
To rezone 464 RATHMELL RD. (43137), being 17.1± acres located on the north side of Rathmell Road, 260± feet east of Fosterson Drive, From: R, Residential District, To: L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District (Rezoning #Z25-051).
Body
WHEREAS, application #Z25-051 is on file with the Department of Building and Zoning Services requesting rezoning of 17.1± acres from R, Residential District, to L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District; and
WHEREAS, the Development Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the Far South Area Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval of said zoning change because the requested L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District is compatible with the density and development standards of adjacent multi-unit residential developments. The proposal is also consistent with the City’s priorities for providing more housing units in all areas of the city; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Official Zoning Map of the City of Columbus, as adopted by Ordinance No. 0179 -03, passed February 24, 2003, and as subsequently amended, is hereby revised by changing the zoning of the property as follows:
464 RATHMELL RD. (43137), being 17.1± acres located on the north side of Rathmell Road, 260± feet east of Fosterson Drive, and being more particularly described as follows:
Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, City of Columbus, Section 21. Township 4, Range 22, Congress Lands and containing 17.1± acres of land, more or less, said 17.1± acre tract being part of the remainder piece of the Original 23.496 acre tract of land conveyed to the Churches of Christ in Christian Union of record in Official Record 33878E18, said 17.1± acres more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at the northwesterly corner of said Original 23.496 acre tract, being the southerly corner of Lot 74 and the southwesterly corner of Lot 73, both Lots being numbered and delineated upon the plat “Wyndham Ridge Section 1, Part 2 of record in Plat Book 104, Page 49 and being in the easterly line of a 13.085 acre tract of land conveyed to The Orchard at Scioto Downs, LLC of record in Instrument Number 202209150132011;
Thence S 86° 14’ 44” E, along the northerly line of said Original 23.496 acre tract, along the southerly subdivision line of said Wyndham Ridge Section 1, Part 2 and along the southerly subdivision line of Wyndham Ridge Section 1, Part 1 of record in Plat Book 103, Page 55, 1657.6± feet to the current northeasterly corner of said Original 23.496 acre tract, being the southeasterly corner of a portion of dedicated right-of-way of Parsons Avenue as shown on said Wyndham Ridge Section 1, Part 1, being the southwesterly corner of a 0.080 acre tract of land conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners of record in Instrument Number 200205140121147, being the northwesterly corner of a 0.439 acre tract of land conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners of record in Instrument Number 200205130119441 and being in the westerly right-of-way line of Parsons Avenue (R/W-Varies);
Thence along the current easterly lines of said Original 23.496 acre tract, along the westerly lines of said 0.439 acre tract, and along said westerly right-of-way line, the following five (5) courses:
S 03° 53’ 37” W, 137.4± feet to an angle point;
N 86° 06’ 23” W, 10.0± feet to an angle point;
S 03° 53’ 37” W, 50.00± feet to an angle point;
S 86° 06’ 23” E, 10.0± feet to an angle point;
S 03° 53’ 37” W, 278.5± feet to the current southeasterly corner of said Original 23.496 acre tract, being the southwesterly corner of said 0.439 acre tract, being the northwesterly corner of a 0.902 acre tract of land conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners of record in Intstrument Number 200303240083881 and being the northeasterly corner of an Original 5.001 acre tract of land conveyed to Shawn Jarvis of record in Instrument Number 201802090018324;
Thence along the common lines of said Original 23.496 acre tract and said Original 5.001 acre tract, the following two (2) courses:
N 86° 14’ 45” W, 522.8± feet to an angle point;
S 04° 00’ 15” W, 114.6± feet to a point, said point being the northeasterly corner of an Original 1.7875 acre tract of land conveyed to Gary W. Hughes, III and Brettney Hughes of record in Instrument Number 202405150047391;
Thence N 86° 14’ 45” W, along a southerly line of said Original 23.496 acre tract, along the northerly line of said Original 1.7875 acre tract, along the northerly line of an Original 1.00 acre tract of land conveyed to Derek K. Kindell and Alissa R. Kindell of record in Instrument Number 201708240117621 and along a portion of the northerly line of a 1.00 acre tract of land conveyed to Dayle D. Roof and Alene Roof of record in Instrument Number 201901260020329, 592.7± feet to a point;
Thence across said Original 23.496 acre tract, the following two (2) courses: N 03° 36’ 41” E, 286.5± feet to an angle point;
N 86° 14’ 45” W, 542.3± feet to a point in the westerly line of said Original 23.496 acre tract and the easterly line of said 13.085 acre tract;
Thence N 04° 14’ 45” E, along said common line, 294.0± feet to the True Point of Beginning. Containing 17.1± acres.
The above description is based on information obtained from the Franklin County Auditor's and Recorder's Office and information obtained from an actual field survey conducted in August of 2021.
The basis of bearings used for this exhibit are based on the NAD83 Ohio State Plane Coordinate System, South Zone (NSRS 2007) which determines the bearing for a portion of the centerline of Rathmell to be N86°23'19"W between Franklin County Geodetic Survey Monument No. 5554 and Franklin County Geodetic Survey Monument No. 5557 Reset.
All references used in this description can be found at the Recorder’s Office, Franklin County, Ohio.
This exhibit is to be used for zoning purposes only and not for the transfer of land.
To Rezone From: R, Residential District,
To: L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District.
SECTION 2. That a Height District of thirty-five (35) feet is hereby established on the L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District on this property.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services be, and is hereby authorized and directed to make the said change on the said original zoning map and shall register a copy of the approved L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District and Application among the records of the Department of Building and Zoning Services as required by Section 3370.03 of the Columbus City Codes; said plans being titled, “SITE PLAN,” said building elevations titled, “3-STORY BUILDING ELEVATIONS,” and “ARCHITECTURAL ELEATIONS - ANCILARY STRUCTURES,” signed by Elizabeth Seedorf, Attorney for the applicant and dated November 24, 2025, and text titled, “LIMITATION TEXT,” signed by Elizabeth Seedorf, Attorney for the applicant, dated December 2, 2025, and the text reading as follows:
LIMITATION TEXT
Property Location: 464 Rathmell Road
Parcel No.: Parcel No. 010258025
Owner: Churches of Christ In Christian Union
Applicant: Metro Development III LLC
Proposed District: L-ARLD
Date of Text: November 24, 2025
Application No.: Z25-051
I. INTRODUCTION
The subject property consists of 17.1+/- acres (the “Site”) which is part of Franklin County Parcel No. 010258025 located at the corner of Rathmell Road and Parsons Avenue. The remainder of Franklin County Parcel No. 010258025 will remain in the Rural zoning district with an existing church remaining (the “Church Parcel”). The Site is contiguous to a single-unit housing development in the R-2 zoning district to the north; a multi-unit development in the AR-12 zoning district to the west; Parsons Avenue to the east; and a single-unit housing development in the PUD6 zoning district to the south.
The applicant proposes to rezone the Site to L-ARLD to allow for the construction of a multi-unit apartment community.
So long as the Site is developed as a multi-unit apartment community, the Site will be developed in accordance with the Site Plan attached as Appendix 1 (the “Site Plan”).
II. PERMITTED USES
Uses in Sections 3333.02, AR-12, ARLD and AR-1 apartment residential district uses of the City of Columbus Code.
III. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Unless otherwise indicated in this text or drawings, the applicable development standards are contained in Chapter 3333 of the Columbus City Code.
A. Density, Height, Lot, and/or Setback Commitments:
1. The maximum number of dwelling units shall be 216.
2. The height of the garages is increased from 15 to 16 feet (see CV25-097).
3. The perimeter yard setback along the southern property lines is decreased from 25 feet to 5 feet (see CV25-097) as shown on the Site Plan.
4. The perimeter yard setback along the western property lines is decreased from 25 feet to 0 feet at its closest point (see CV25-097) as shown on the Site Plan.
B. Access, Loading, Parking, and/or Other Traffic Related Commitments:
The right-of-way dedication of fifty (50) feet from the centerline of Parsons Avenue must be completed prior approval of a final site compliance plan.
2. Sidewalks and multi-use paths provided as shown on the Site Plan.
a. With respect to the pedestrian infrastructure along the west side Parsons Avenue on the Site, the Department of Public Service will determine whether a sidewalk or a multi-use path, thus the pedestrian infrastructure shown on the Site Plan on the Site along Parsons Avenue is subject to change.
3. Off-site pedestrian infrastructure shall be provided along the west side of Parsons Avenue to connect the Site and Wyndham Ridge Drive unless otherwise determined by the Department of Public Service pursuant to CCC 4309.08(D).
4. The applicant shall implement the right-of-way improvements that are determined to be necessary by the traffic impact study for the Site, as approved by the Department of Public Service.
C. Buffering, Landscaping, Open Space, and/or Screening Commitments:
The perimeter yard will be landscaped in accordance with the submitted Site Plan.
D. Building Design and/or Interior-Exterior Treatment Commitments:
The buildings will be constructed in accordance with the submitted building elevations. The building elevations may be slightly adjusted to reflect engineering, topographical, or other site data developed at the time of the development plan and when engineering and architectural drawings are completed. Any slight adjustments to the building elevations shall be subject to review and approval by the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services, or a designee, upon submission of the appropriate data regarding proposed adjustment.
E. Dumpsters, Lighting, Outdoor Display Areas, and/or other Environmental Commitments:
N/A
F. Graphics and/or Signage Commitments:
N/A
G. Miscellaneous Commitments:
1. The developer shall comply with the park land dedication ordinance by contributing money to the City’s Recreation and Parks Department.
2. The Site shall be developed in accordance with the Site Plan; however, the Site Plan may be slightly adjusted to reflect engineering, topographical or other site data developed at the time that development and engineering plans are completed. Any slight adjustment to the plans shall be reviewed and may be approved by the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services, or a designee, upon submission of the appropriate data regarding the proposed adjustment.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.