Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting – February 24, 2026

The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals met on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. The board considered six petitions, elected 2026 officers, approved the meeting calendar, acknowledged conflict-of-interest forms, and approved findings of fact and minutes. The most contentious item was a conditional use request for a shared housing facility for individuals in recovery at 803 Pearl Street, which drew extensive public testimony and resulted in denial.

Consent Calendar

• Findings of Fact Approved: CDS-2025-029 (Richard & Mary Fogler), CDS-2025-030 (Kevin King), CDS-2025-032 (Larry Kleinhenz), CDS-2025-033 (Indiana Precast).
• Minutes Approved: October 28, 2025, and November 18, 2025 meetings.
• Board of Zoning Appeals Calendar: Approved.
• Conflict-of-Interest Forms: Acknowledged as received for the 2026 requirement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• BZA-25-4 (803 Pearl Street – Shared Housing Facility): Numerous neighbors and representatives spoke in opposition. Attorney Jeff Rocker (432 Washington Street) argued the use was not contextually appropriate for the RE district, citing intense density (14–17 people on an 8,000 sq ft lot), parking overload, and impacts on property values. Lisa Connor (Jolie Rentals, 4310 N Riverside Drive) described past drug problems in the area and fear of regression. Susan Kell (813 Franklin Street) questioned the location near a preschool and school. Nathaniel Gaudi (724 8th Street) raised concerns about accountability and code compliance. Josh Ochikevich (owner of nearby properties) recounted finding needles and meth after cleaning up former rooming houses. Carrie Sinavaldi (524 10th Street) questioned the transient nature and lack of oversight. Robert Shannon (719 A Street) gave personal testimony, stating he witnessed yelling, police calls, and a possible overdose, and criticized the lack of on-site clinical supervision. Applicant Brandon Neilsen (executive director of Gemini Recovery Services) stated he would reduce occupancy to 14, emphasized that the facility provides housing only (no treatment), and offered transparency.
• Other Items: Tom Hummingbird (1063 Hummingbird Lane) spoke in favor of the Rollins Property Development variances, the Mona Jalal fence variance, and the Carl Miller replat, supporting infill development and practical solutions. No public opposition was voiced for items B through F (besides BZA-25-4).

Discussion Items

• BZA-25-4 (Conditional Use – Shared Housing): Staff reported the three-unit building had been converted from a single-family home. The applicant proposed up to 17 individuals (later reduced to 14). The board debated whether to treat the facility as one shared housing unit or three separate dwelling units. Staff determined it should be considered a single facility because it operated under one management. After public hearing, board member Grant Hale moved to deny, finding that criteria three (practical difficulty) was not met. The motion failed (1–4 or 2–3 vote; only Grant Hale voted aye). No motion to approve was made; the request was therefore denied.
• BZA-25-10 & BZA-26-2 (Rollins Property Development – Variances for Six-Unit Apartment): Staff presented a proposed two-story, six-unit apartment building at the southeast corner of 10th Street and Werner Avenue. Three variances were requested: (1) building front setback reduction from 55 ft to 30.5 ft from centerline of 10th Street; (2) parking encroachment of 7.25 ft into the 20-ft Type B landscape buffer; (3) parking area front setback reduction to 35.5 ft. The board approved all three variances unanimously. Variance 3 carried a condition that parking be no closer to 10th Street than the front wall of the building (excluding balconies).
• BZA-25-13 (Burt’s Pest Control – Side and Rear Setback Variances): Staff described a proposed 28×80 ft building addition at 805 Depot Street. The applicant requested an 11.26-ft side setback (required 20 ft) and a 12.91-ft rear setback (required 20 ft) due to the odd-shaped, less-than-one-acre lot. The board approved both variances unanimously, finding practical difficulty under criteria three.
• BZA-25-14 (Mona Jalal – Fence Height Variance): The applicant requested a 6-ft tall fence in the front yard (max 3.5 ft) at 2068 Abbey Lane. The proposed fence would extend 8 ft forward of the house. Initial motion to deny (by Grant Hale) failed. A subsequent motion to approve (by Grant Hale) passed. The board accepted the applicant’s arguments that an 8-ft offset would improve structural stability and privacy for the dog, and that the practical difficulty was not self-imposed due to the corner lot configuration.
• BZA-26-7 (Carl Miller – Two Dwellings on One Lot): Staff described a proposal to replat three lots at 3114 & 3110 10th Street and 1144 N Marr Road, leaving two existing single-family homes on one lot to enable future commercial redevelopment of the corner. The variance allows two primary structures on one lot. The board approved unanimously, noting it is a temporary step toward comprehensive plan goals.
• BZA-26-9 (Hot Diggity Dog – Expansion of Kennel): The applicant Lisa Korf (owner of Hot Diggity Dog, 6170 W 450 South) requested conditional use approval to expand an existing home-based dog boarding and training business. The expansion includes a 160 sq ft outbuilding for four additional kennels, a 10,000 sq ft fenced yard, and one employee. The previous 2021 approval allowed eight dogs; the new request allows up to 16 dogs. The board approved unanimously after noting two letters of support.
• Election of 2026 Officers: The board elected Zach Ellison as President, Michael Kinder as Vice President, and Chuck Doup as Secretary.

Key Outcomes

• BZA-25-4 (803 Pearl Street): Denied. The board did not approve the conditional use for a shared housing facility. (Motion to deny failed, but no motion to approve was made.)
• BZA-25-10 & BZA-26-2 (Rollins): All three variances approved.
• BZA-25-13 (Burt’s Pest Control): Both variances approved.
• BZA-25-14 (Mona Jalal fence): Variance approved.
• BZA-26-7 (Carl Miller): Variance approved.
• BZA-26-9 (Hot Diggity Dog): Conditional use approved.
• Officers: Ellison (President), Kinder (Vice President), Doup (Secretary).
• Consent Items: Calendar, findings of fact, and minutes all approved.