Explanation
Rezoning Application: Z25-050
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 December 11, 2025.
NORTHEAST AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The 18.60± acre site consists of five undeveloped parcels in the L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District, and one undeveloped parcel recently annexed into the City of Columbus, in the R, Rural District. Five of the six parcels were recently rezoned from the R, Rural District to the L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District as part of Ordinance #2516-2025 (Z25-024), passed on September 29, 2025, allowing 264 dwelling units on 14± acres. The applicant recently acquired a sixth parcel, and the requested L-AR-1 district will include all six parcels in one limited district to allow a multi-unit residential development with a maximum of 384 dwelling units on 18.60± acres, developed in accordance with the submitted site plan and building elevations. The proposal represents an expansion of an already approved multi-unit residential development that is consistent with the Columbus Growth Strategy (2026) recommendation of “Mixed Use 2” land uses at this location. Additionally, staff recognize the proposal’s location on a corridor with transit, and compatibility with existing apartment residential to the west, as factors for support. Concurrent Council variance (Ordinance #0538-2026; CV25-096) includes variances to reduce the required building and parking setbacks.
Title
To rezone 1854 STELZER RD. (43219), being 18.60± acres located on the east side of Stelzer Road, at the terminus of Citygate Drive, From: L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential and R, Rural District, To: L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District (Rezoning #Z25-050).
Body
WHEREAS, application #Z25-050 is on file with the Department of Building and Zoning Services requesting rezoning of 18.60± acres from L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential and R, Rural District, to the L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District; and
WHEREAS, the Development Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the Northeast Area Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval of the zoning change because the requested L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District represents an expansion of an already approved multi-unit residential district that is consistent with the Columbus Growth Strategy land use recommendation, and the area’s emerging residential development pattern and transit connectivity. The proposal also aligns with the City’s objective of providing additional housing; 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:
1854 STELZER RD. (43219), being 18.60± acres located on the east side of Stelzer Road, at the terminus of Citygate Drive:
Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, Township of Mifflin, being part of Quarter Township 4, Township 1, Range 17, United States Military Lands and containing 14.0± acres of land, more or less, said 14.0± acre tract being all of the remainder piece of the Original 7.3695 acre tract of land conveyed to the Board of Trustees of Mifflin Township of record in Instrument Number 201609200126734, being all of a remainder piece of a tract of land conveyed to Mifflin Township of record in Instrument Number 201711300169273, being all of the remainder of Parcel I and Parcel II as described and conveyed to Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation of record in Instrument Number 202005220071148 and all of another tract of land conveyed to Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation of record in Instrument Number 202201040001695, said 14.0± acres more particularly described as follows:
Beginning for Reference at a Franklin County Monument found, “FCGS 5509 Reset”, being in the westerly line of a 0.093 acre tract of land described as Parcel 3-WD and conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners of record in Instrument Number 200504250076436 and being in the centerline of Stelzer Road (R/W-Varies);
Thence N 03° 28’ 46” E, along the westerly line of said Parcel 3-WD and along said centerline, 34.3± feet to the northwesterly corner of said Parcel 3-WD and the southwesterly corner of a 0.186 acre tract of land described as Parcel 4-WD and conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners of record in Instrument Number 200408120188058;
Thence S 86° 31’ 14” E, along the northerly line of said Parcel 3-WD, along the southerly line of said Parcel 4-WD and across the right-of-way line of said Stelzer Road (R/W-Varies), 45.0± feet to a northeasterly corner of said Parcel 3-WD, the southeasterly corner of said Parcel 4-WD, at the current southwesterly corner of said Mifflin Township tract, being the northwesterly corner of a 0.958 acre tract of land conveyed to Linda L. Vanhoose, Tr. of record in Instrument Number 202210250148473 and being in the easterly right-of-way line of said Stelzer Road (R/W-Varies), the True Point of Beginning;
Thence N 03° 28’ 46” E, along the westerly line of said Mifflin Township tract, along the easterly line of said Parcel 4-WD and along said easterly right-of-way line, 180.0± feet to a northwesterly corner of said Mifflin Township tract, being a northeasterly corner of said Parcel 4-WD, being the southeasterly corner of a 0.186 acre tract of land described as Parcel 5-WD and conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners of record in Instrument Number 200406300152461, being the southwesterly corner of a tract of land conveyed to Rule of 3, LLC of record in Instrument Number 202311210121956;
Thence S 86° 31’ 14” E, along the northerly line of said Mifflin Township tract and along the southerly line of said Rule of 3, LLC tract, 434.1± feet to a common corner thereof and being in westerly line of the current remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract;
Thence N 02° 57’ 20” E, along the westerly line of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract, along the easterly line of said Rule of 3, LLC tract, along the easterly line of a tract of land conveyed to Stanislaus S. Liu, Tr. of record in Instrument Number 201301160008641 and along the easterly line of a tract of land conveyed to Jordan Rentals II, LLC of record in Instrument Number 201112290170141, 540.0± feet to a northeasterly corner of said Jordan Rentals II, LLC tract and the southeasterly corner of said Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation tract;
Thence N 86° 31’ 14” W, along said common line, 429.2± feet to a current common corner thereof, being northeasterly corner of a 0.186 acre tract of land conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners and described as Parcel 8-WD of record in Instrument Number 200408120188056, being the southeasterly corner of a second 0.186 acre tract of land conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners and described as Parcel 9-WD of record in Instrument Number 200501190011680 and being in the easterly right-of-way line of said Stelzer Road (R/W-Varies);
Thence N 03° 28’ 46” E, along the westerly line of said Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation tract, said Parcel I and said Parcel II, along the easterly line of said Parcel 9-WD and along the easterly line of a 0.372 acre tract of land conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners and described as Parcel 10-WD, 539.9± feet to a northwesterly corner of said Parcel II, being the northeasterly corner of said Parcel 10-WD and being in the southerly line of Lot 1 as numbered and delineated upon the plat “Leonard Park of record in Plat Book 18, Page 18;
Thence S 86° 20’ 47” E, along the northerly line of said Parcel II and of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract and along the southerly line of Lot 1 and the 7.5’ alley of said Leonard Park and along the southerly line of the vacated alley by Road Record 23, Page 281, 694.1± feet to a current northeasterly corner of said remainder piece and being a northwesterly corner of a remainder piece of an Original 17.716 acre tract of land conveyed to Wendy King (1/2) and Kristyne Casias (1/2) of record in Instrument Number 199102250060588, Instrument Number 199809250244588 and Instrument Number 202205270080595;
Thence S 02° 57’ 44” W, along the easterly line of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract and along the westerly line of the remainder piece of said Original 17.716 acre tract, 834.9± feet angle point thereof, being a westerly corner of a 2.480 acre tract of land conveyed to the State of Ohio of record in Official Record 8929A07, being a northerly corner of a 0.095 acre tract of land conveyed to the State of Ohio of record in Official Record 12459B10 and being in the northerly right-of-way line of U.S. Route 62 (R/W-Varies) as established on FRA-62-19.06;
Thence S 17° 56’ 20” W, along the southeasterly line of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract, along the westerly line of said 0.095 acre tract and along said northerly right-of-way line, 217.2± feet to a common corner thereof and being in the northerly line of a 0.348 acre tract of land conveyed to the State of Ohio of record in Deed Book 3187, Page 412;
Thence S 44° 26’ 25” W, continuing along the southerly line of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract, along the northerly line of said 0.348 acre tract, along a portion of the northerly line of a 0.036 acre tract of land conveyed to the State of Ohio of record in Deed Book 3116, Page 84 and along said northerly right-of-way line, 322.2± feet to an angle point, being the southwesterly corner of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract and being in the easterly line of said 0.958 acre tract;
Thence N 02° 46’ 47” E, along the westerly line of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract, along the easterly line of said 0.958 acre tract, 30.7± feet to an angle point at the northeasterly corner of said 0.958 acre tract and the southeasterly corner of said Mifflin Township tract;
Thence N 86° 31’ 14” E, along the southerly line of said Mifflin Township tract, along the northerly line of said 0.958 acre tract, 435.8± feet to the True Point of Beginning. Containing 14.0± acres.
And
Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, Township of Mifflin, being part of Quarter Township 4, Township 1, Range 17, United States Military Lands and containing 4.6± acres of land, more or less, said 4.6± acre tract being all of the remainder piece of the Original 17.716 acre tract of land conveyed to Wendy King (1/2 interest) and Kristyne Casias (1/2 interest) of record in Instrument Number 199102250060588, Instrument Number 199809250244588 and Instrument Number 202205270080595 and part of an Alley (R/W-7.5’) as originally dedicated in the plat “Leonard Park” of record in Plat Book 18, Page 18 and partially vacated in R.R. 22, Pg. 81, said 4.6± acres more particularly described as follows:
Beginning for Reference at a Franklin County Monument found, “FCGS 2265 Reset”, being the northwesterly corner of a 0.372 acre tract of land described as Parcel 10-WD and conveyed to the Franklin County Commissioners of record in Instrument Number 200406300152464 and being in the centerline of Stelzer Road (R/W-Varies);
Thence S 86° 20’ 47” E, along the northerly line of said Parcel 10-WD, along the northerly line of a tract of land described as Parcel II and conveyed to Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation of record in Instrument Number 202005220071148, along the northerly line of an Original 7.73695 acre tract of land conveyed to the Board Of Trustees of Mifflin Township of record in Instrument Number 201609200126734, along a northerly line of an existing City of Columbus Corporation Line (Case No. 16-25, Ord. No. 2307-2025, I.N. 202509240107191), along the southerly line of Lot 1, a southerly terminus of an Alley (R/W-20’) and a portion of an Alley (R/W-7.5’), said Lot 1 being numbered and delineated and Alleys being dedicated by said Leonard Park plat, said Alley (R/W-20’) being vacated by R.R. 23, Pg. 281, and across the right-of-way line of said Stelzer Road (R/W-Varies), 739.1± feet to a northeasterly corner of said Original 7.3695 acre tract and said existing City of Columbus Corporation Line, the northwesterly corner of said Original 17.716 acre tract, the True Point of Beginning;
Thence S 86° 20’ 47” E, along a portion of the northerly line of an Original 17.716 acre tract, along the southerly line of said Alley (R/W-7.5’) and leaving said existing City of Columbus Corporation Line (Case No. 16-25, Ord. No. 2307-2025, I.N. 202509240107191), 34.4± feet to a point, said point being the southwesterly corner of another portion of a vacated Alley (R/W-7.5’), said vacation being of record in R.R. 22, Pg. 81;
Thence N 03° 39’ 13” E, along the current westerly line of said Original 17.716 acre tract, across said vacated Alley (R/W-7.5’) and along the easterly line of an Alley (R/W-20’) as dedicated by said Lenord Park plat 3.8± feet to an angle point;
Thence S 86° 20’ 47” E, across said vacated Alley (R/W-7.5’), along the current southerly line of a tract of land described as Tract 22 and conveyed to John Christopher Moses and Rosemarie Moses, Tr. of record in Instrument Number 202411270124991, along the current southerly line of a tract of land conveyed to Becky Jo Tatum of record in Instrument Number 200705100082148, along the current southerly line of a second tract of land conveyed to Becky Jo Tatum of record in Instrument Number 201403200033938, along the current southerly line of a tract of land conveyed to Tonn Sargent and Steve Sargent of record in Instrument Number 201209200140466 and along a portion of the current southerly line of a second tract of land conveyed to Tonn Sargent and Steve Sargent of record in Instrument Number 201209200140465, 389.3± feet to an angle point at the current northeasterly corner of said Original 17.716 acre tract and being the current northwesterly corner of an Original 1.618 acre tract of land conveyed to David M. and Stella M. Smith of record in Instrument Number 199712260176210, said point being in the southerly line of said Sargent tract;
Thence S 04° 30’ 42” W, along the current easterly line of said Original 17.716 acre tract, across said vacated Alley (R/W-7.5’) and along the westerly line of said Original 1.618 acre tract, 293.6± feet to the current southeasterly corner of the remainder of said Original 17.716 acre tract, being the current southwesterly corner of the remainder of said Original 1.618 acre tract, being a northwesterly corner of a 0.312 acre tract of land conveyed to the State of Ohio of record in Official Record 7438C17, being the northeasterly corner of a 2.480 acre tract of land conveyed to the State of Ohio of record in Official Record 8929A07 and being in the northerly right-of-way line of U.S. Route 62 (R/W-Varies) as shown on the plans for FRA-62-19.06;
Thence along the current southerly lines of the remainder of said Original 17.716 acre tract, along the northerly line of said 2.480 acre tract and along said northerly right-of-way line, the following three (3) courses:
S 62° 01’ 53” E, 166.7± feet to an angle point;
S 43° 41’ 26” W, 336.4± feet to an angle point;
S 17° 56’ 19” W, 206.5± feet to a current southwesterly corner of the remainder of said Original 17.716 acre tract, the northwesterly corner of said 2.480 acre tract, the northerly corner of a 0.095 acre tract of land conveyed to the State of Ohio of record in Official Record 12459B10, being the current southeasterly corner of the remainder of said Original 7.3695 and being a southeasterly corner of said existing City of Columbus Corporation Line (Case No. 16-25, Ord. No. 2307-2025, I.N. 202509240107191);
Thence N 02° 57’ 44” E, along the current westerly line of said Original 17.716 acre tract, along the easterly line of the remainder piece of said Original 7.3695 acre tract and along the easterly line of said existing City of Columbus Corporation Line, 834.9± feet to the True Point of Beginning. Containing 4.6± acres.
To Rezone From: L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District and R, Rural District,
To: L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District.
SECTION 2. That a Height District of thirty-five (35) feet is hereby established on the L-AR-1, 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 official zoning map and shall register a copy of the approved L-AR-1, 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 site plan titled, “SITE PLAN,” and said building elevations titled, “3-STORY BUILDING ELEVATIONS,” and “ARCHITECTUAL ELEVATIONS - ANCILLARY STRUCTURES,” and said text titled, “LIMITATION TEXT,” all dated February 11, 2026, and signed by Elizabeth Seedorf, Attorney for the Applicant, and the text reading as follows:
LIMITATION TEXT
Property Location: 1854 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219
Parcel No.: Parcel Nos. 191-000019, 191-000047, 191-000046, 191-001475, 191-001375 and 191-001407
Owner: Mifflin Township, Board of Trustees of Mifflin Township, Central Ohio Community
Improvement Corporation, Wendy King & Kristyne Casias
Applicant: Metro Development III LLC
Proposed District: L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District
Date of Text: February 11, 2026
Application No.: Z25-050
I. INTRODUCTION:
The subject property consists of 18.6+/- acres (the “Site”) located at the east side Stelzer Road. A 14.0 acre portion of the Site has been annexed to the City of Columbus (Ordinance 2307-2025) and a 4.6 acre portion of the Site is currently being annexed to the City of Columbus. A 14.0 acre portion of the Site was recently rezoned to L-AR-1 (Ordinance 2516-2025) with companion council variance (Ordinance 2517-2025). The site is surrounded by properties in Mifflin Township to the north, east and south and CPD to the west.
The applicant proposes to rezone the Site to L-AR-1 to allow for the construction of a cohesive multi-family apartment community.
So long as the site is developed as a multi-family 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 384.
2. The height of the garages is 16 feet.
3. The front setback along Stelzer Road is decreased from 60 feet to 25 (see CV25-096) as shown on the Site Plan.
4. The parking setback along the southeastern property line is decreased from 25 feet to 5 feet for a 5 foot parking setback (see CV25-096) as shown on the Site Plan.
5. The building setback along the southeastern property line is decreased from 25 feet to 5 feet for a 5 foot building setback (see CV25-096) as shown on the Site Plan.
B. Access, Loading, Parking, and/or Other Traffic Related Commitments
N/A
C. Buffering, Landscaping, Open Space and/or Screening Commitments
1. The perimeter yard will be landscaped in accordance with the submitted Site Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, utilities may be located within the twenty-five (25) foot perimeter yard setback along the western property line west of Buildings 14, 15, and 16 as shown on the Site Plan as may be required by the City of Columbus.
2. The applicant commits to installing a 6-foot tall privacy fence along the northern property line as shown on the Site Plan.
D. Building Design and/or Interior-Exterior Treatment Commitments
1. 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.
2. The applicant commits to using hardi plank instead of vinyl on the west and south sides of Building #1 and the north and west sides of Building #9.
E. Lighting, Outdoor Display Areas, and/or other Environmental Commitments
N/A
F. Graphics and 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.