Explanation
Rezoning Application: Z26-030
APPLICANT: 40 Merritt II LLC, LLC c/o Jack Reynolds, Atty.; 172 East State Street, Suite 550; Columbus, OH 43215.
PROPOSED USE: Non-accessory parking lot and truck repair.
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval (5-0-1) on October 8, 2026.
COLUMBUS SOUTH SIDE AREA COMMISSION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site consists of ten parcels developed with an non-accessory truck parking lot, in association with an adjacent truck repair business. The site is subject to zoning code violation 24470-10332 for a lack of zoning clearance. The requested L-M, Limited Manufacturing District will allow less-objectionable manufacturing uses and specifically, a truck parking lot, as shown in the submitted site plan. The requested L-M, Limited Manufacturing District will legitimize the current use to comply with an active Zoning Code violation. The limitation text includes a commitment to a site plan that demonstrates fencing, landscaping and screening commitments from an adjacent residential use and public rights-of-way. Additionally, the request is consistent with the Columbus Growth Strategy’s (2026) recommendation of “Industrial and Warehouse” uses at this location. A concurrent Council variance is included (Ordinance #3100-2026; CV26-076), and proposes to reduce building and parking setbacks and required parking. Staff note that the proposed site is slated to be rezoned to the IU, Industrial Urban District as part of Zone In, which allows automobile, vehicle, and equipment storage uses.
Title
To rezone 1957 S. 4TH ST. (43206), being 0.46± acres located at the southwest corner of South Fourth Street and Hosack Street, From: R-3, Residential District, To: L-M, Limited Manufacturing District (Rezoning #Z26-030).
Body
WHEREAS, application #Z26-030 is on file with the Department of Building and Zoning Services requesting rezoning of 0.46± from R-3, Residential District, to L-M, Limited Manufacturing District; and
WHEREAS, the Development Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus South Side Area Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval of said zoning change because the requested L-M, Limited Manufacturing District will address an active zoning code violation by allowing less-objectionable manufacturing uses, specifically non-accessory truck parking. Additionally, the proposed uses are consistent with the Columbus Growth Strategy’s future land use recommendation of “Industrial and Warehouse” at this location, 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:
1957 S. 4TH ST. (43206), being 0.46± acres located at the southwest corner of South Fourth Street and Hosack Street, and being more particularly described as follows:
ZONING DESCRIPTION
SUB AREA "A"
1957 S. FOURTH STREET
COLUMBUS, OHIO
Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, City of Columbus, being all of Lots 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 as shown and delineated upon the plat "The Karch and Lyon's Subdivision" a subdivision of record in Plat Book 5, Page 288, and conveyed in a deed to 40 Merritt II LLC, of record in Instrument No. 202310270112815, Recorder's Office, Franklin County, Ohio, and being more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at the point of intersection of the southerly right of way line of Hosack Street (50.00 feet in width) and the westerly right of way line of S. Fourth Street (50.00 feet in width);
Thence South 03°36'08" West, along the westerly right of way line of S. Fourth Street, a distance of 114.00 feet to a point at the southeasterly corner of said Lot 14 and the intersection of said westerly right of way line with the northerly line of a 15-foot-wide alley as shown on said plat "The Karch and Lyon's Subdivision";
Thence North 86°16'52" West, along the northerly line of said 15-foot-wide alley, a distance of 175.00 feet to a point at the southwesterly corner of said Lot 10 and the southeasterly comer of Lot 9 of said plat "The Karch and Lyon's Subdivision";
Thence North 03°36'08" East along the common line to said Lots 9 and 10, a distance of 114.00 feet to a point in the southerly right of way line of Hosack Street, at the common comer to said Lots 9 and 1 O;
Thence South 86°16'52" East, along said southerly right of way line, a distance of 175.00 feet to the place of beginning and containing 0.458 acre of land.
Bearings herein are based of OPS observations utilizing the Ohio State Plane Coordinate System, South Zone, NAD 83 (2011).
To Rezone From: R-3, Residential District,
To: L-M, Limited Manufacturing District.
SECTION 2. That a Height District of thirty-five (35) feet is hereby established on the L-M, Limited Manufacturing 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 official zoning map and shall register a copy of the approved L-M, Limited Manufacturing 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 site plan titled, “1957 S. FOURTH STREET,” dated October 19, 2026, and signed by Jack Reynolds, Attorney for the Applicant, and said text titled, “LIMITATION TEXT,” signed by Jack Reynolds, Attorney for the Applicant, dated October 19, 2026, and, and the text reading as follows:
LIMITATION TEXT
PROPOSED DISTRICTS: L-M, Limited Manufacturing District
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1957 South Fourth Street
OWNER: 40 Merritt II LLC
APPLICANT: 40 Merritt II LLC
DATE OF TEXT: 10/19/2026
APPLICATION: Z26-030
1. INTRODUCTION: The property is at the southwest corner of South Fourth Street and Hosack Street.
2. PERMITTED USES: Those uses permitted in Sections 3363.02 thru 3363.08 M, Manufacturing District.
3. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: Unless otherwise indicated in the submitted text or on the submitted site plan the applicable development standards are contained in Chapter 3363 M, Manufacturing District.
A. Density, Height, Lot and/or Setback Requirements
1. Reduce the building and parking setback along South Fourth Street and Hosack Street from 25 feet to 10 feet. (See CV26-076)
2. Reduce the parking setback along the western side of the lot from 25 feet to 10 feet. (See CV26-076)
B. Access, Loading, Parking and/or Traffic Related Commitments
No access to South Fourth Street.
C. Buffering, Landscaping, Open Space and/or Screening Commitments
The proposed landscaping and screening are shown on the submitted site plan and include the following:
1. Seven foot tall cedar fencing along the entire western property line, 9.5 feet setback from the property line, as shown on the site plan.
2. Parking lot landscaping along S. 4th Street and Hosack Street as required by 3312.21(D)(1), as shown on the site plan.
D. Building Design and/or Interior-Exterior Treatment Commitments
N/A
E. Dumpsters, Lighting, Outdoor Display Areas, and/or other Environmental Commitments
N/A
F. Graphics and Signage Commitments
All graphics and signage shall comply with the Graphics Code Article 15 Title 33 of the Columbus City Code as it applies to the M, Manufacturing District. Any variance to those requirements submitted to the Columbus Graphics Commission for consideration.
G. Miscellaneous Commitments
The site shall be developed, with regards to landscaping and screening only, in accordance with the submitted site plan titled “1957 S. FOURTH STREET,” dated 10/19/2026. The site plan may be slightly adjusted to reflect engineering, topographical or other site data developed at the time of development or when engineering plans are completed. Any slight adjustment to the plan shall be reviewed and may be approved by the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services or his 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.