Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Downtown Streetscape Standards document was initiated to provide the Department of Public Service with a comprehensive set of standards that will address improvements within the right-of-way including sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks, street lighting, traffic signals, storm-water, street furniture, landscaping, green infrastructure, public art, medians, outdoor dining, and parking lot screening. The plan updates the Columbus Downtown Streetscape Plan adopted by City Council in 2000, Ordinance 1399-2000, and is the result of work involving coordination of team members from the Departments of Development, Public Service, Public Utilities, and Recreation and Parks. The project also included a working group comprised of downtown stakeholders and two public meetings. A multi-department project management team provided direction throughout the effort and the document was placed on the city’s website as an additional means of community outreach.
This project builds upon the Columbus Downtown Circulation Study, Ordinance 0821-2006, Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, Resolution 0098X-2010, and is coordinated under the Connect Columbus Multimodal Thoroughfare Plan, Ordinance 1159-2014. The limits of the study area follow the same boundaries of the Downtown District. The area is generally bounded by I-670 to the north, I-71 to the east, I-70/71 to the south and a combination of railroad tracks and SR-315 to the west. On September 22, 2015, the Downtown Commission endorsed the plan and voted to recommend its adoption to City Council. A scanned copy of the Downtown Standards Update document is attached to this legislation.
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
Title
To adopt the Downtown Streetscape Standards document as an update for the Columbus Downtown Streetscape Plan adopted by City Council in 2000, thereby providing guidelines for development, re-development, and the planning of future public improvements in the Downtown District.
Body
WHEREAS, the Downtown Streetscape Standards document is intended to serve as an update for the Columbus Downtown Streetscape Plan adopted by City Council in 2000, providing guidelines for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements; and
WHEREAS, a working group representing stakeholders worked with a consultant team led by The EDGE Group of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, committee meetings, presentations, open houses, and community outreach via the City website were conducted as part of the public planning process; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Commission has endorsed the Plan and recommended adoption by City Council; and
WHEREAS, after public notice a public hearing was held on September 22, 2015, at which the Development Commission approved the Downtown Streetscape Standards document and recommended its adoption to City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Downtown Streetscape Standards document is hereby adopted as an update to the Columbus Downtown Streetscape Plan, providing guidelines for development, redevelopment, and the planning of future public improvements in the Downtown District.
Section 2. That all city of Columbus departments and divisions are hereby authorized and directed to use the Downtown Streetscape Standards document in initiating or reviewing projects within the planning area or adjacent areas and require that such projects generally conform to the plan.
Section 3. That the Department of Public Service is directed to monitor the use of the Downtown Streetscape Standards document, and to present to City Council any amendments necessary to keep the plan up-to-date.
Section 4. That a copy of the Downtown Streetscape Standards document shall be kept on file in the Department of Public Service, Design and Construction Division and on the City of Columbus’ website.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or thirty days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.