This chapter establishes a planning overlay which provides the means to incorporate in the Zoning Code development standards designed to implement council-approved plans for special areas. Overlay standards and standards extracted from such approved plans, may increase, decrease, or add conditions to the minimum development standards of the underlying district or use.

The planning overlay provides a formalized method for implementing acceptable community plans through specialized standards intended to achieve physical development objectives in certain areas of the city. Such objectives transcend single parcel ownership and land use district boundaries and represent a need to establish, maintain, or change the character of development in a planning area.

(Ord. 70-85; Ord. 0854-2008 § 5.)

Any person or organization proposing special development standards for an area shall first complete a planning process which culminates in a council-approved plan by resolution. At minimum, such process shall include the preparation of a plan, coordination with the planning section of the city's department of development and sponsorship by a member of council. The planning document should clearly describe the planning area and explain why the area is special or unique. Recommendations which may affect development standards for the area should be documented.

(Ord. 70-85; Ord. 1102-05 § 1 (part).)

A.

Any person or organization desiring the establishment of a planning overlay may file an application in conformity with all the provisions for amendments to the Zoning Code and the provisions of this chapter with the department on a form provided by it. Said application will be processed and reviewed by the staff, development commission and city council as a rezoning application. A fee may be imposed by ordinance of council.

The intended purpose of a planning overlay shall be clearly evident and relate to the underlying land use pattern in a reasonable way. Proposals should exhibit the following characteristics:

1.

Implement recommendations contained in a council-approved plan passed by resolution;

2.

Specify standards which establish, maintain or change the development character of an area;

3.

Evidence advanced planning which supports and justifies the variations in existing standards or the imposition of additional standards.

B.

The Director may request additional information when needed to properly review the application. In all cases the minimum standards of the underlying zoning classification shall govern unless the planning overlay approved by council specifically stipulates a variation to that standard.

(Ord. 356-87; Ord. 0854-2008 § 6; Ord. No. 0455-2010, § 83, 4-5-2010)

The area to which an overlay applies is any reasonable portion or all of that territory included in the council-approved plan.

(Ord. 70-85.)

Within an area identified by a planning overlay a building or premises may be used for one or more of the uses permitted by the underlying zoning classification.

Single-family, two-family or three-family dwellings may be included in a planning overlay even though the underlying zoning is an apartment-residential district.

(Ord. 356-87.)

Any use of property subject to a planning overlay shall meet or exceed each overlay standard. When overlay standards are not specified, those development standards required by the underlying district apply.

(Ord. 70-85.)

Upon establishment of a Planning Overlay on a lot or premises by ordinance of council, a designation of that overlay will be included with the designation of the underlying zoning as part of the Official Zoning Map. Any property within a planning overlay area regulated by this Chapter that is rezoned into a 2024 Zoning Code district designation will not be included as part of the overlay on the Official Zoning Map, unless otherwise specifically provided for pursuant to this Chapter.

(Ord. 0179-03 § 9; Ord. 70-85.; Ord. No. 2111-2024, § 1(Att.), 7-29-2024)

Overlay standards approved hereunder shall be binding upon each property owner and the beneficiaries, successors and assigns of the property owner and shall limit and control the issuance and validity of any certificate of zoning clearance. The site plan for such certificate shall clearly indicate conformance with the approved overlay standards.

An overlay which implements standards unique to a commission area without architectural review amended February 4, 1985 shall not require commission review of those specific standards prior to the issuance of a certificate of zoning clearance.

(Ord. 70-85; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay

The purpose of this is to protect and enhance the unique scenic and natural features of the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway, as defined in the Columbus City Codes, 1959, 3372.31 through the use of reasonable and practicable development standards.

The Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay is established to meet the following objectives:

1.

Preserve, conserve and maintain the natural, and scenic resources that exist along or adjacent to Noe-Bixby Road.

2.

Maintain the natural beauty of the landscape along Noe-Bixby Road.

3.

Encourage development that enhances the natural beauty and is compatible with the existing structures along Noe-Bixby Road.

4.

Encourage uses that are compatible with Noe-Bixby Road and do not impede scenic views or detract from the aesthetic value of adjacent properties.

5.

Reduce the impact of new development and redevelopment in the area upon the natural and scenic character of the area.

(Ord. 0277-04 § 1 (part).)

The Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay District shall be the length of Noe-Bixby Road, beginning at East Broad Street, extending south, and ending at East Main Street. The Overlay District is comprised of all parcels abutting the Noe-Bixby Road right-of-way but not to exceed 200 feet from the edge of the right-of-way.

(Ord. 0277-04 § 1 (part).)

A.

Standards. The standards of the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Zoning Overlay shall apply to all changes to land or development and/or construction within the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay District.

B.

Extent. The standards contained in the overlay are in addition to the regulations of the underlying zoning districts and the general requirements contained in the Columbus Zoning Code. Where a specific overlay standard is imposed, it is to be followed in lieu of a general provision of the Zoning Code; where the overlay does not address a required standard and it is otherwise contained in the Zoning Code, the Zoning Code standard must be followed.

C.

Variances. The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) may approve a variance to any of the standards contained herein. The request must, as determined by the BZA, meet the intent of the Noe-Bixby Road Scenic Overlay.

(Ord. 0277-04 § 1 (part).)

1.

No building or structure shall exceed two stories or 25 feet above grade except architectural elements not containing residential or commercial floor area.

2.

Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be sufficiently screened so as not to be seen from Noe-Bixby Road. The design of mechanical enclosures shall be architecturally integrated with the rooftop and use materials comparable to the exterior finish of the building.

3.

Structures within the boundaries of the Noe-Bixby Road Urban Scenic Byway Overlay shall be finished in brick, stone, wood, stucco or any combination of these materials.

4.

Lighting shall be designed and located so as not to disturb the scenic nature of the byway. Dusk to dawn lighting shall be limited to illumination of entranceways, driveways and parking areas. In these cases, cut-off lights shall be used to insure that there is no illumination of nearby scenic areas or private property.

5.

Ground mounted mechanical equipment and the garbage collection area for multi-family and commercial dwellings shall be located at the rear of the building and/or completely screened from view of Noe-Bixby Road and adjacent residential properties by a combination of the following methods: native deciduous understory and canopy trees, evergreen shrubbery, or enclosed with a finish exterior veneer of the same types of building material as used on the main structure.

6.

Loading and unloading areas and vehicle staging areas shall be located at the rear of the structure(s) and shall be screened from view of Noe-Bixby Road and adjacent residential properties using a combination of a fence or wall and native vegetation (native deciduous understory and canopy trees), evergreen shrubbery, or enclosed with a finish exterior veneer of the same types of building material as used on the main structure.

7.

Permitted fencing and exterior wall materials shall include stone, brick, wood, wrought iron, vinyl and native vegetation.

8.

Any parking for non-single family structures located completely and entirely behind the main structure shall be screened around its perimeter with native vegetation at a minimum height of 24 inches at installation, three feet on center maximum, and reaching 36 inches in height and 85 percent opacity within three years. Any parking for non-single family structures not located completely and entirely behind the main structure shall be screened around its perimeter with a combination of a fence or wall and native vegetation. Shrubs may be used in combination with permitted fence/wall and native vegetation at a minimum height of 24 inches at installation, three feet on center maximum, and reaching 36 inches in height and 85 percent opacity within three years. These screening requirements shall be in addition to any other screening requirements in the Columbus City Codes, 1959.

9.

Parking lots shall include islands with native trees at a rate of one island per ten parking spaces. The island(s) should be located in a manner that provides optimal screening of the parking areas from Noe-Bixby Road. They can be located in existing or newly constructed parking areas.

(Ord. 0277-04 § 1 (part).)

The regulations of the Columbus Graphics Code as it applies to specific development being proposed shall apply, except where modified as follows:

1.

The entire sign shall be made of or composed of or have a finish veneer, of brick, stone, rock, wood or any combination of these materials.

2.

Only a monument type ground sign shall be permitted.

3.

The setback for a ground sign shall be a minimum of 15 feet from the right-of-way. The height of a ground sign shall not exceed six feet above grade.

4.

When indirectly lighting a ground sign, the light source shall be screened from motorist view.

(Ord. 0277-04 § 1 (part).)

Repealed by Ord. No. 1508-2013, § 8, adopted July 22, 2013.

Repealed by Ord. No. 1508-2013, § 8, adopted July 22, 2013.

Repealed by Ord. No. 1508-2013, § 8, adopted July 22, 2013.