Columbus City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Columbus City Council met on March 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included second readings of ordinances for sewer bond adjustments and an airport PUD amendment, first readings for annexation and rezoning of a 40-acre residential development, salary ordinance revisions, an additional appropriation, and a presentation on upcoming transit route changes. The council also approved appointments to the Human Rights Commission.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from March 3, 2026 meeting – Approved unanimously (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2B (Airport PUD): Brad Davis (National Road) asked about future PUD changes in light of the airport's aerotropolis plan. Staff responded that further revisions are possible.
• Item 3A/3B (Annexation and Rezoning): Karen Sakari (4674 corner of 150 and 300) expressed concerns about traffic congestion on 150 West, noting the bridge repair and additional congestion from the new development. She questioned whether a traffic study had been completed before the decision.
• Item 3C/3D (Salary and Appropriation): No public comments.

Discussion Items

• Item 2A – Sewer Bond Adjustment (Second Reading): Staff presented a $9.6 million increase in project costs, offset by $7.2 million in additional grants, resulting in no net impact. Council approved the second reading unanimously (8-0).
• Item 2B – Columbus Air Park PUD Modification (Second Reading): Staff outlined seven proposed changes: adding an animal shelter, expanding Picolar Green for events, increasing commercial flexibility, exchanging property between sub-areas, expanding the community garden, and omitting a bicycle/pedestrian path. The Planning Commission had recommended approval unanimously. Council approved the second reading 8-0.
• Item 3A – Annexation of Kimberland Springs (First Reading): Arbor Homes requested annexation of ~40 acres (40% contiguous with city limits) and rezoning of ~108 acres from AP (agriculture) to RT (residential two-family). Staff confirmed all city departments could provide services, though public works raised capacity concerns. The property is within the future land use plan for residential use. Arbor Homes representatives stated the development would include 282 single-family homes (150 on smaller lots, 132 on standard lots) with a price range of $200,000–$300,000. Council discussed traffic, buffering, and potential impacts on schools and utilities. A letter from Colin Rough raised drainage and access concerns; the applicant committed to a 50-foot buffer berm. The first reading was approved 8-0.
• Item 3B – Rezoning (First Reading): Following the annexation, the council moved to the rezoning. Councilmember Elaine Hilbert proposed an amendment to formalize the 50-foot buffer along the north property line adjacent to Mr. Rough. The amendment passed 8-0, and the amended rezoning ordinance passed on first reading 8-0.
• Item 3C – Salary Ordinance (First Reading): Community Development and Redevelopment departments proposed creating a full-time Community Development Specialist (replacing a part-time administrative assistant) and transitioning the shared office administrator position to be fully funded by the Redevelopment Commission. The net impact on the city's general fund is neutral. Discussion focused on salary ranges and job titles: the office administrator role (held by Casey Buchanan) has expanded duties, and the proposed salary range matched that of a specialist. Councilmember Grace Kessler raised concerns about fairness and consistency with other office administrators. An amendment was offered to change the title from “Office Administrator” to “Redevelopment Specialist” to reflect the higher-level duties. The amendment passed 7-1 (Kessler opposed). The amended salary ordinance passed on first reading 7-1 (Kessler opposed).
• Item 3D – Additional Appropriation from Redevelopment General Fund (First Reading): The redevelopment department requested $52,000 to fully absorb the office administrator position for the remainder of 2026. The fund balance is projected to exceed $3.4 million. The first reading was approved 8-0.
• Transit Department Update: Director Matt presented a comprehensive redesign of fixed routes, transitioning from five routes to four efficient loops, adding dedicated stops, and expanding service to Taylorsville and Walesboro. A microtransit pilot is planned for late summer. New routes begin March 23, 2026. The council received the report with gratitude and noted strong community support.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Sewer bond adjustment: passed 8-0 (second reading).
  • Airport PUD amendment: passed 8-0 (second reading).
  • Annexation of Kimberland Springs: passed 8-0 (first reading).
  • Rezoning (with 50-foot buffer amendment): passed 8-0 (first reading).
  • Salary ordinance amendment (title change): passed 7-1 (Grace Kessler opposed).
  • Amended salary ordinance: passed 7-1 (Kessler opposed).
  • Additional appropriation: passed 8-0 (first reading).
• Appointments: The council confirmed the reappointment of Janae Garner Kelly and new appointments of Blake Fields, Felicia Gar, and Ethan Crack to the Human Rights Commission (three-year terms through March 31, 2029). The vote was 8-0. Swearing-in will take place at the April 7, 2026 meeting.
• Next Steps: The salary and appropriation ordinances will return for second reading in three weeks (April 7, 2026). The transit route changes launch March 23, 2026, with Walesboro and Taylorsville service starting April 6, 2026.