Explanation
BACKGROUND:
On November 24, 2003, Columbus City Council adopted the Olentangy River Road Urban Design Plan. This plan provides recommendations pertaining to streetscape improvements, site redevelopment and community involvement for the portion of Olentangy River Road from Lane Avenue to West North Broadway.
Specifically, the Olentangy River Road Urban Design Plan recommends that the Regional Commercial Overlay (RCO) be applied to Olentangy River Road from Lane Avenue to West North Broadway. The purpose of the RCO is to establish additional and specific zoning standards. These standards are designed to: 1) establish consistent and appropriate setbacks to improve the traffic safety and aesthetics of the corridor, 2) reduce the amount and improve the visual quality of surface parking adjacent to the public right-of-way, 3) create safe pedestrian access on and between lots and to the public right-of-way, 4) establish safe access to lots and encourage adequate internal circulation, through shared access and appropriate spacing between entrances, and 5) create a defined "edge" along the public right-of-way through consistent screening of adjacent surface parking lots and to provide landscaping in the interior of parking lots.
The Planning Division worked cooperatively with a steering committee consisting of area businesses and property owners to develop the Olentangy River Road Urban Design Plan. Additionally, a public open house was held on February 24, 2004 to present the idea of applying the Regional Commercial Overlay to Olentangy River Road. All impacted property owners were invited to the meeting.
This overlay is intended to work in conjunction with The Olentangy River Road Special Graphics Control Area. The special graphics control area standards are proposed in a companion piece of legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To supplement the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by the modif...
Click here for full text