Explanation
Rezoning Application: Z25-019
APPLICANT: Preferred Living, c/o David Hodge, Atty.; 8000 Walton Parkway, Suite 120, New Albany, OH 43054.
PROPOSED USE: Multi-unit residential development.
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval (3-2) on February 12, 2026.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The 10.1± acre site consists of one parcel developed with a single-unit dwelling in the R, Rural District. The requested L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District will allow for the development of an apartment complex with a maximum of 152 dwelling units, a gross density of 15.05 dwelling units per acre. The limitation text includes use restrictions, maximum number of dwellings units, supplemental development standards addressing building setbacks and height, landscaping, mounding, and screening, and commitments to development the site in accordance with the submitted site plan and building elevations. Although the proposal is higher than the recommended density of the Northland Plan Volume II, which recommends single-unit residential development at three units per acre, the proposal is adjacent to multi-unit residential developments to the west and townhome developments to the southeast. The submitted limitation text and site plan demonstrate two-story buildings with high levels of landscaping, mounding, and screening along the western and southern property lines, activation of a central open space, and a new shared use path along Central College Road, all of which contribute to a site design and use that is compatible to the surrounding neighborhood, and allows for staff support on a higher density proposal at this location. The request is also consistent with City objective to add more housing units in all areas of the city.
Title
To rezone 4691 CENTRAL COLLEGE RD. (43081), being 10.1± acres located on the south side of Central College Road 1,050± feet east of Lee Road, From: R, Rural District, To: L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District (Rezoning #Z25-019).
Body
WHEREAS, application #Z25-019 is on file with the Department of Building and Zoning Services requesting rezoning of 10.1± acres from R, Rural District, to the L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District; and
WHEREAS, the Development Commission recommends disapproval of said zoning change; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval of the requested L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District because while the proposed density is greater than the recommendation of the Northland Plan Volume II, the submitted limitation text and site plan include commitments that will mitigate this development’s impacts on the surrounding land uses. The request is also consistent with City objetive to add more housing units in all areas of the city; 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:
4691 CENTRAL COLLEGE RD. (43081), being 10.1± acres located on the south side of Central College Road 1,050± feet east of Lee Road, and being more particularly described as follows:
Zoning Description
10.1+/- Acres
South of Central College Road
East of Ulry Road
Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, City of Columbus, being in Quarter Township 1, Township 2, Range 17, United States Military Lands and containing 10.1+/- acres, more or less, said 10.1+/- acres being all of the remainder of that Original 10-1/2 tract of land as conveyed to Nancy M. Kemp of record in Deed Book 2988, Page 544 and Deed Book 3444, Page 806, said 10.1+/- more particularly described as follows;
Beginning, at the northwesterly corner of the remainder of said Original 10-1/2 acre tract of land, said corner also being the southwesterly corner of that 0.422 acre tract of land as conveyed to the City of Columbus of record in Instrument No. 202401250008402, in the easterly line of that 0.639 acre tract of land as conveyed to the City of Columbus of record in Instrument No. 201007090086143 and in the southerly right-of-way line of Central College Road (R/W varies);
Thence along the northerly lines of said remainder tract, the southerly lines of said 0.422 acre tract and along said southerly right-of-way line, the following three (3) courses and distances:
S 88° 39' 32" E, 59.8+/- feet to an angle point;
N 87° 45' 11" E, 24.0+/- feet to an angle point;
S 88° 39' 32" E, 336.5+/- feet to a common corner thereof, said corner also being the southwesterly corner of that 0.434 acre tract of land as conveyed to the City of Columbus of record in Instrument No. 202309220099384 and the northwesterly corner of that 15.75 acre tract of land as conveyed to the City of Columbus, Ohio of record in Instrument No. 201312170206116;
Thence S 03° 40' 54" W, with the easterly line of said remainder tract and the westerly line of said 15.75 acre tract, 1054.5+/- feet to a common corner thereof, said corner also being in the northerly line of Reserve “H” of Parkside Section 2 of record in Plat Book 130, Page 72;
Thence N 86° 41' 26" W, with the southerly line of said remainder and the northerly line of said Parkside Section 2, 421.5+/- feet to the southwesterly corner of said remainder tract and the southeasterly corner of Asherton Grove Condominium 11th Amendment of record in Condominium Plat Book 242, Page 95;
Thence N 03° 46' 21" E, with the westerly line of said remainder tract, the easterly line of said 11th Amendment, the easterly line of Asherton Grove Condominium 13th Amendment of record in Condominium Plat Book 245, Page 92, the easterly line of Asherton Grove Condominium 10th Amendment of record in Condominium Plat Book 242, Page 55, the easterly line of Asherton Grove Condominium 6th Amendment of record in Condominium Plat Book 234, Page 36, the easterly line of Asherton Grove Condominium 8th Amendment of record in Condominium Plat Book 239, Page 46, the easterly line of Asherton Grove Condominium 2nd Amendment of record in Condominium Plat Book 222, Page 96 and partially with the easterly line of said 0.639 acre tract, 1038.6+/- feet to the True Point of Beginning. Containing 10.1+/- acres, more or less.
Property Parcel: 010-276207
Property Address: 4691 Central College Rd., Columbus, OH 43081
To Rezone From: R, Rural District.
To: L-ARLD, Limited Apartment Residential District.
SECTION 2. That a Height District of thirty-five (35) feet is hereby established on the L-ARLD, 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-ARLD, 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 text titled, “LIMITATION TEXT,” dated February 3, 2026 and signed by David Hodge, Attorney for the Applicant, site plan titled, “SITE PLAN,” and architectural renderings titled, “ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBIT,” both dated February 13, 2026, and signed by Eric Zartman, Attorney for the Applicant, and the text reading as follows:
LIMITATION TEXT
Application: Z25-019
Property Address: 4691 Central College Road
Parcel ID: 010-276207
Current District: Rural
Proposed District: L-ARLD
Height: H-35
Area Commission: Northland Community Council
Owners: The Estate of Nancy M. Kemp
Applicant: Preferred Living c/o Jared Smith
Attorney: David Hodge, Underhill & Hodge LLC
Date of Text: February 3, 2026
I. Introduction:
The Applicant seeks to rezone a +/- 10.1-acre site located at 4691 Central College Road from Rural to L-AR-1. The site is a single parcel of land and currently used for single-family residential use.
The Applicant proposes rezoning the site from Rural to Limited Apartment Residential 1 to allow for the development of an apartment complex with development standards which exceed the minimum requirements of the zoning code. The apartment complex will provide approximately 152 dwelling units along with residential amenities including a pool and clubhouse. The proposed plan also commits to minimum perimeter yards of 50 feet along the west and south perimeters and 37 feet along the east perimeter, which all significantly exceed the minimum code requirement of 25-foot perimeter yard.
The site is within the boundary of the Northland Community Council. The site is also within the boundary of the Little Turtle District of the Northland Plan - Volume II.
II. Permitted Uses:
Those uses permitted by Section 3333.02, AR-1, Apartment Residential District of the Columbus City Code.
III. Development Standards:
Except as otherwise indicated in the written text or the submitted Site Plan, the applicable development standards are those contained in Chapter 3333 of the Columbus City Code.
A. Density, Height, Lot, and/or Setback Commitments:
1. The maximum density shall be 152 dwelling units.
2. The minimum perimeter yards along the west and south perimeter shall be 50 feet. The minimum perimeter yard along the east perimeter shall be 37 feet.
3. The minimum building line shall be 100 feet from Central College Road right-of-way.
4. Buildings shall be limited to a maximum height of two stories.
B. Access, Loading, Parking and/or other Traffic Related Commitments:
N/A
C. Buffering, Landscaping, Open Space, and/or Screening Commitments:
A perimeter landscape buffer consisting of new planting and/or tree preservation shall be provided as depicted on the Site Plan.
D. Building Design and/or Exterior Treatment Commitments:
Building design and exterior treatments shall substantially conform to the attached “Architectural Exhibit.”
E. Lighting and/or other Environmental Commitments:
N/A.
F. Graphics and/or Signage Commitments:
All graphics and signage shall comply with the Graphics Code, Article 15, Title 33 of the Columbus City Code. Any variance to those requirements will be submitted to the Columbus Graphics Commission for consideration.
G. Miscellaneous Commitments:
The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the submitted exhibits titled “Site Plan,” and “Architectural Exhibit.” These plans and exhibits may be 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.