Explanation
Rezoning Application: Z25-004
APPLICANT: South Central Power Company; c/o Curtis H. Knapp, Atty; 1160 Dublin Road; Columbus, OH 43215.
PROPOSED USE: Electrical sub-station.
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval (4-0) on May 8, 2025.
FAR SOUTH COLUMBUS AREA COMMISSION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site consists of one undeveloped parcel in the L-M, Limited Manufacturing District. The requested L-M, Limited Manufacturing District will allow the site to be developed with an electrical sub-station at this location. A rezoning is required because the site is subject to Ordinance #0492-2022 (Z21-081), which does not allow the proposed use, and designated this location as a “restricted area” which included more stringent development standards. The site is within the boundaries of the South Central Accord (1997), which recommends “Light-Industrial” and “Agricultural/Open Space” at this location, and includes adoption of the Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines (2018). The limitation text commits to a site plan, and includes supplemental development standards addressing building setbacks, traffic access, and landscaping and screening. Staff supports the requested rezoning as the proposed use is generally consistent with the Plan’s land use recommendation, and the landscaping and screening provided in the text is consistent with C2P2 design guidelines when industrial development is adjacent to residential uses.
Title
To rezone 6680 LOCKBOURNE RD. (43137), being 1.93± acres located on the east side of Lockbourne Road, 1,300± feet south of London-Groveport Road, From: L-M, Limited Manufacturing District, To: L-M, Limited Manufacturing District (Rezoning #Z25-004).
Body
WHEREAS, application #Z25-004 is on file with the Department of Building and Zoning Services requesting rezoning of 1.93± acres from L-M, Limited Manufacturing District, to L-M, Limited Manufacturing District; and
WHEREAS, the Development Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the Far South Columbus Area Commission recommends approval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval of said zoning change as the proposed use is generally consistent with the Plan’s land use recommendation, and the landscaping and screening provided in the text is consistent with C2P2 design guidelines when industrial development is adjacent to residential uses, 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 #0179 -03, passed February 24, 2003, and as subsequently amended, is hereby revised by changing the zoning of the property as follows:
6680 LOCKBOURNE RD. (43137), being 1.93± acres located on the east side of Lockbourne Road, 1,300± feet south of London-Groveport Road, and being more particularly described as follows:
Situated in the State of Ohio, Franklin County, Hamilton Township, City of Columbus, part of the Congress Lands East of the Scioto, Section 2, Township 3N, Range 22W and being part of an original 179.411 acre tract conveyed to Prushing Farms Partners, LLC., in Instrument 202205310081077, in the Franklin County Recorder’s Office, and being more particularly described as follows:
Commencing at Franklin County Monument FCGS 5437 marking the centerline of Lockbourne Road (width varies) at the original northwest corner of said Prushing Farms Partners LLC parcel, and the current northwest corner of a 3.162 acre tract conveyed to the City of Columbus in instrument 202303210026855 and being the southwest corner of a 49.00 acre tract conveyed to David H. Herron Trustee of the David H. Herron Trust dated September 26, 2011 recorded in instrument 201110060127458 and being on the common line of Section 2 and Section 3; Thence along the north line of said City of Columbus tract and the south line of said 49.00 acre tract, South 85 degrees 50 minutes 32 seconds East, 40.00 feet to an iron pin set at the northeast corner of said city of Columbus tract and being the grantor’s current northwest corner, passing 58/ inch rebar with a “MEYERS” found ID cap at 30.00 feet, said pin being the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING for the property herein described:
Thence, along the grantor’s north line and the south line of said 49.00 acre tract, South 85 degrees 50 minutes 32 seconds East, 293.30 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar set;
Thence, across the grantor’s tract, South 25 degrees 41 minutes 32 seconds West, 423.40 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar set;
Thence, across the grantor’s tract, North 88 degrees 29 minutes 18 seconds West, 132.40 feet to a 5/8 inch rebar set on the grantor’s west line and the east line of said City of Columbus tract and the easterly right of way line of Lockbourne Road;
Thence, along the grantor’s west line and the east line of said City of Columbus tract and said Lockbourne Road, North 03 degrees 21 minutes 05 seconds East, 400.00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 1.934 ACRES, FROM AUDITOR PARCEL No. 495-263119-00 more or less;
All iron pins set are 5/8 inch x 30 inch rebar with an orange plastic cap stamped “2LMN”.
Description prepared from an actual field survey by 2LMN, Inc. under the supervision of Richard F. Mathias, P.S. #7798, in March, 2024.
Bearings based on the centerline of Lockbourne Road between FCGS 5437 and a 5/8 inch rebar found with a ROLLING-HOCEVAR cap bearing South 03 degrees 21 minutes 05 seconds West NAD83(2011).
Address: 6680 Lockbourne Road, Columbus, OH 43137
Parcel No.: Part of 495-263119
To Rezone From: L-M, Limited Manufacturing 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 CPD, Commercial Planned Development District and Application among the records of the Department of Building and Zoning Services as required by Sections 3311.12 of the Columbus City Codes; said plans being titled, “PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN,” and “OVERALL PLAN,” both dated June 25, 2025, signed by Leonardo A. Sferra, Engineer for the Applicant, and text titled, “LIMITATION TEXT,” dated June 26, 2025, and signed by Curtis Knapp, Attorney for the Applicant, and the text reading as follows:
LIMITATION TEXT
Property Location: A 1.934-acre portion of 6680 Lockbourne Road, Columbus, Ohio 43137
Franklin County Tax Parcel ID No.: A 1.934-acre portion of 495-263119-00
Current Owner: Prushing Farms Partners LLC
Applicant: South Central Power Co. - Proposed Buyer
Proposed District: LM - Limited Manufacturing District
Date of Text: June 26, 2025
Application Number: Z25-004
I. INTRODUCTION: The property consists of a proposed lot split of approximately 1.934 acres located in the northwest corner of the current 180 acres owned by Prushing Farms Partners LLC currently zoned LM - Limited Manufacturing per Z21-081.
The Applicant proposes to rezone 1.934 acres to a new L-M district to modify permitted uses and access configuration to permit access along Lockbourne Road to the property to develop a new utility substation to support area electric needs.
II. PERMITTED USES:
An Electrical Substation under Chapter 3349.03(d) I, Institutional Use District.
III. PROHIBITED USES:
N/A
IV. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS:
Unless otherwise indicated in this text, the applicable development standards in Chapter 3363, M - Manufacturing District, of the Zoning Code shall apply.
A. Density, Height, Lot and/or Setback Commitments:
1. Any and all buildings or structures constructed on the property shall be set back a minimum of fifty feet (50’) from the right-of-way line of Lockbourne Road.
2. A fifty-foot (50’) building setback is required along the southern portion of the property along Lockbourne Road and the property’s southern property line as shown on the Site Plan.
B. Access, Loading, Parking and/or Traffic Related Commitments:
1. Access to and from the property shall be from Lockbourne Road via the northwest portion of the property for the sole purpose of construction, maintenance, and operation of any current or future utility infrastructure and/or substation. Access to and from the property for any other purpose is restricted to access from London-Groveport Road to the East of the property.
2. There shall be no additional separate access to the property to and from Lockbourne Road unless the City of Columbus, Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire requires an emergency access to and from the public right-of-way of Lockbourne Road at a location approved by the Department of Public Service or Franklin County Engineer’s Office, as applicable.
3. Modifications to these access configurations or traffic commitments may be approved at the sole discretion of the Department of Public Service or Franklin County Engineer’s Office, as applicable, without the requirement for modification of this zoning text.
C. Buffering, Landscaping, Open Space, and/or Screening Commitments:
1. Applicant shall provide screening along a portion of the property’s Lockbourne Road frontage as follows:
a. Install a minimum six foot (6’) high mound, running parallel to Lockbourne Road from the north boundary of the property south a distance of approximately 675 linear feet.
b. Plant a minimum of 25 evergreen trees, 5’ to 6’ in height at planting, approximately 675 linear feet along Lockbourne Road at the gravel access drive, generally as depicted on the site plan. The trees shall be placed in two (2) staggered rows, centered at 20’, such that a tree shall be located every 10’ feet along Lockbourne Road.
2. The mound height shall be measured from the surface elevation at the property line of the property.
D. Building Design and/or Exterior Treatment Commitments:
N/A
E. Lighting and/or other Environmental Commitments:
Lighting shall comply with Section 3321.03(B) and (C) of the Zoning Code, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
F. Graphics and/or Signage Commitments:
N/A
G. Miscellaneous Commitments:
1. The property shall be developed in accordance with this Limitation Text and the Site Plan, which may be slightly adjusted to reflect engineering, topographical or other site data available at the time of development. Any slight adjustment to the plans shall be reviewed and may be approved by the Director of Building and Zoning Services, or his/her designee, upon submission of the appropriate data regarding the proposed adjustment. Modification to the Limitation Text and Site Plan may be approved at the sole discretion of the Department of Public Service without the requirement for modification of this zoning text.
2. The access configuration of the Site Plan may be adjusted to reflect determinations regarding access by the appropriate authority.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.