Near East Area Commission

Letter to Chris Presutti

Urban Commercial Overlay

November 21, 2005


Christopher Presutti
Chief Zoning Official
Building Services
757 Carolyn Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43224-3218


Dear Chris,

As you know, the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) strips in the Near East Side were down zoned in the seventies in an attempt to rein in the erratic often-detrimental development that was taking place. The recent updated Near East Area Plan (the Plan) strongly supports commercial uses in the NCR strips, however we have uncovered a possible loophole that may have a negative effect on what the Plan is trying to achieve.

An applicant can request a commercial rezoning on the NCR strip (which is in agreement with the Plan) and stipulate that no changes will be made to an existing building thus being relieved from requirements of the Urban Commercial Overlay (UCO). The net result is that the applicant can have a use and appearance of his property that may be legal, but not in keeping with the quality of development the neighborhood is trying to achieve. This would negate the usefulness of the down zoning. For example, NEAC recently reviewed an application in which the owner wanted a C4 zoning and had no plans to rehab the existing building. To our point of view granting this application would empower him to do what he wanted with no oversight.

NEAC’s Zoning Committee will be reviewing approaching these situations with the use limitation text, which we understand is currently being utilized by the Northland Civic Associations. I would like to schedule a meeting with you, Commissioner Annie Womack who is NEAC’s new Zoning Chair, and myself to discuss this matter.

She may be reached at 531-2700 and I at 252-3283. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,


Kathleen Bailey
Chair

Cc: The Honorable Michael C. Mentel
Mark Barbash, Director Department of Development
Commissioner A. Womack

NEAC Zoning Committee