Suburb proposes home rules
Pickerington may require new housing to follow code that addresses landscaping, color, garages and more
By Kirk D . Richards THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
At least three trees in the front yard. Mulched flower beds. And plenty of shrubs.
Those are just some of the requirements that could be enforced for new homes in Pickerington.
The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the proposed design standards late into the evening last night and adjourned without making a recommendation to City Council, which would have to approve the plan.
The commission will discuss the issue at a future meeting.
City Manager Judy Gilleland and Planning and Zoning Director Lance Schultz drafted the standards and said they are consistent with the character of the community.
''One thing we hear from the building industry is ?‘give us the rules so we know what the game is,?’ ?’?’ Gilleland said. ''We do not want to change the rules in the middle of the game . . . . We want to be consistent. We want to be fair.?’?’
If approved, the requirements wouldn?’t be a first in central Ohio.
The cities of Delaware and Dublin have adopted similar standards for designing homes.
But Jim Hilz, executive director of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio, is not satisfied with the Pickerington recommendations. He expressed concern that it would dramatically add to developers?’ expenses and cause the price of homes to rise.
''We?’re trying to work with the city to hopefully make some changes,?’?’ Hilz said.
Commission Chairman Doug Blake said some standards would help maintain the city?’s architectural character, but he questioned others.
''We are not trying to make up some guidelines that are so off-the-wall that they drive up costs tenfold.?’?’
Administration officials say that quality construction that is consistent across neighborhoods and residential developments will help maintain property values.
The standards would cover the exterior of single, two-family and multifamily homes. Garages would be required to look similar to homes; window shutters to be built when space allows; and trees to be planted and flower beds mulched.
Brick and stone veneer, including brand-name synthetic stone, are preferred as materials.
Commission members considered amendments that would strengthen language in the proposal. Law Director Phil Hartmann urged caution.
''The more you narrow and make it concrete, you?’re eliminating flexibility,?’?’ Hartmann said, suggesting that the proposal be structured as guidelines.
Dublin and Delaware both require that windows make up at least 40 percent of groundfloor walls that face the public right of way.
In addition, those cities prohibit concrete block, exposed concrete or stucco to be visible unless it appears with bands of accent color or other adornments.
Builders designing homes there must coordinate homes based on proportion, color and materials.
Dispatch reporter Dean Narciso contributed to this story.
krichards@dispatch.com
Pickerington may require new housing to follow code that addresses landscaping, color, garages and more
By Kirk D . Richards THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
At least three trees in the front yard. Mulched flower beds. And plenty of shrubs.
Those are just some of the requirements that could be enforced for new homes in Pickerington.
The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the proposed design standards late into the evening last night and adjourned without making a recommendation to City Council, which would have to approve the plan.
The commission will discuss the issue at a future meeting.
City Manager Judy Gilleland and Planning and Zoning Director Lance Schultz drafted the standards and said they are consistent with the character of the community.
''One thing we hear from the building industry is ?‘give us the rules so we know what the game is,?’ ?’?’ Gilleland said. ''We do not want to change the rules in the middle of the game . . . . We want to be consistent. We want to be fair.?’?’
If approved, the requirements wouldn?’t be a first in central Ohio.
The cities of Delaware and Dublin have adopted similar standards for designing homes.
But Jim Hilz, executive director of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio, is not satisfied with the Pickerington recommendations. He expressed concern that it would dramatically add to developers?’ expenses and cause the price of homes to rise.
''We?’re trying to work with the city to hopefully make some changes,?’?’ Hilz said.
Commission Chairman Doug Blake said some standards would help maintain the city?’s architectural character, but he questioned others.
''We are not trying to make up some guidelines that are so off-the-wall that they drive up costs tenfold.?’?’
Administration officials say that quality construction that is consistent across neighborhoods and residential developments will help maintain property values.
The standards would cover the exterior of single, two-family and multifamily homes. Garages would be required to look similar to homes; window shutters to be built when space allows; and trees to be planted and flower beds mulched.
Brick and stone veneer, including brand-name synthetic stone, are preferred as materials.
Commission members considered amendments that would strengthen language in the proposal. Law Director Phil Hartmann urged caution.
''The more you narrow and make it concrete, you?’re eliminating flexibility,?’?’ Hartmann said, suggesting that the proposal be structured as guidelines.
Dublin and Delaware both require that windows make up at least 40 percent of groundfloor walls that face the public right of way.
In addition, those cities prohibit concrete block, exposed concrete or stucco to be visible unless it appears with bands of accent color or other adornments.
Builders designing homes there must coordinate homes based on proportion, color and materials.
Dispatch reporter Dean Narciso contributed to this story.
krichards@dispatch.com
