Explanation
Background: The Short North has transitioned over the past several decades from a declining business district into a significant cultural and economic asset. It has benefited from creative developers and business owners, passionate residents, and sound community leadership. This transformation has occurred under the guidance of two separate architectural review commissions with legal authority to review all exterior building changes, new construction, and site plans. The boundary line between the Italian Village and Victorian Village commissions, which use different guidelines, is the centerline of High Street - from I-670 to Fifth Avenue. While the district has not suffered from the current system, the Historic Preservation Working Group (2009) recommended a unified set of updated guidelines to provide for a more coordinated development approval system.
Beginning in spring 2010, a nine-member stakeholder working group began meeting with City staff to undertake the guidelines preparation process. The Working Group's efforts were augmented by stakeholder interviews and the research efforts of an OSU City and Regional Planning class. The public review phase included a property owner mailing, website postings, email notification, a public hearing and a comment period. After reviewing input received during this period, the working group recommended a series of changes to the document. These edits were incorporated into the revised final guidelines, which were approved by the Victorian Village Commission on July 14, 2011 and the Italian Village Commission on July 19, 2011. Preparation of the guidelines and their submission to City Council was done in a manner consistent with requirements outlined in Columbus City Code section 3116.
Fiscal Impact: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To adopt the Short North Design Guidelines as an amendment to the Italian Village Guidelines and Victorian Village Guidelines pursuant to City Code section 3116.03.
Body
WHEREAS, the Short North has transitioned over the past several decades from a declining business district into a significant cultural and economic asset; and
WHEREAS, this transformation has occurred under the guidance of two separate architectural review commissions with authority to review exterior building changes, new construction, and site plans; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Working Group (2009) recommended a unified set of updated guidelines for the Short North to provide a more coordinated development approval system; and
WHEREAS, a working group comprised of stakeholders and City staff met over the course of a year to develop design guidelines; and
WHEREAS, public review of the draft guidelines included a property owner mailing, website postings, email notification, a public hearing and a comment period; and
WHEREAS, after updates resulting from the public review process, the guidelines were approved by the Victorian Village Commission and the Italian Village Commission at their July meetings; and
WHEREAS, preparation of the guidelines and their submission to City Council was done in a manner consistent with requirements outlined in Columbus City Code section 3116; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Short North Design Guidelines are hereby adopted as an amendment to the Italian Village Guidelines and Victorian Village Guideline pursuant to the requirements of City Code section 3116.03.
Section 2. That the Department of Development is directed to monitor the use of the Short North Design Guidelines, and to propose any amendments as necessary to the Italian Village and Victorian Village commissions.
Section 3. That copies of the Short North Design Guidelines shall be kept on file in the Department of Development, Planning Division.
Section 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.