OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Columbus Plan Commission Meeting – July 8, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, July 8, 2026
BodyColumbus, Indiana
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, July 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 6:27:47

Transcript — Verbatim
0:24

We have everybody that we're supposed to be here.

0:28

Councilman.

0:31

It's getting quiet.

0:35

That one records November.

0:42

The July 8th as our presiding officer this afternoon.

0:49

I would like to remind everyone uh use the microphones when speaking, so both everyone in the room.

0:57

Commission members, please be sure your microphones are on, meaning they're not blinking.

1:01

For anyone speak later, we will ask that when I am which is that one right there in the middle.

1:12

I would ask everyone to your phone so they do not disturb our meeting.

1:21

Dave Bush, Columbus Parks Board.

1:24

Evan Klein by the County Commissioners.

1:26

Zach Ellison.

1:31

Dennis Bowdy appointed by the mayor.

1:34

Melissa Begley, Planning Department.

1:35

Michael Kinder appointed by the mayor.

1:37

Laura Garrett, appointed by the mayor.

1:39

Keith the Alaby appointed by the mayor.

1:42

Henderson, uh appointed by Board of Park.

1:50

Thank you.

1:51

Let the mutants reflect that a quorum is present.

1:55

All righty.

2:04

There are a motion.

2:06

So move approval.

2:10

All right, motion's been made and seconded.

2:12

Who is that?

2:12

I think it was Circy.

2:15

She can have that.

2:16

All right.

2:17

Any questions on the motion?

2:18

All in favor say aye.

2:19

Aye.

2:20

Opposed, same second.

2:28

Um we'll just go a little bit out of order just as DP 2626 FC Tucker proposed.

2:41

The properties located at 617 Washington Street.

2:44

This has requested a continuance.

2:50

Do we have a motion to accept the continuance?

2:52

So move.

2:53

All right, Zach has made the motion.

2:54

Second.

3:03

All right.

3:03

Any questions on the motion?

3:05

All in favor.

3:06

Aye.

3:07

Aye.

3:12

Chris is now here.

3:14

Hello, sorry for my target.

3:16

No worries.

3:17

All right.

3:18

Move back on to our new business.

3:26

A resolution regarding the revision of the Columbus and Barthellem ordinance for the jurisdiction of the city of Columbus.

3:36

All right.

3:36

And that is going to be Melissa.

3:39

Yeah.

3:40

Um presentation for this, but I was just going to talk through it to um changing from a use that's currently permitted to a conditional use, and that's specifically service exchange.

3:59

So I wanted to read the definition to help you understand a little bit more about what a communication service exchange houses one or more computer systems and related equipment dedicated to building and or processing data.

4:24

So currently ordinance exists.

4:28

Um then all of our commercial zoning districts, and they're permitted in all of our industrial zoning districts.

4:44

Quite a while, probably 2008.

4:46

Um there are these types of uses that exist in town now.

4:51

Um generally speaking, they're pretty uh non-discrip.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████61%
Signage Regulation██████████14%
Procedural████6%
Transportation Safety██3%
Affordable Housing██3%
Historic Preservation██3%
Code Enforcement█2%
Public Engagement█2%
Water And Wastewater Management█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Columbus Plan Commission Meeting – July 8, 2026

The Columbus Plan Commission met on July 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, a zoning ordinance resolution, a major commercial site development plan (Columbus Gateway) with multiple modifications, and combined annexation and rezoning requests for 80 acres (Abundant Home Solutions). A discussion on housing-related zoning map changes was also held. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the June 10, 2026 meeting (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Columbus Gateway (SDP-26-18): No public comments were offered; the chair closed the public hearing after no audience members came forward.
  • Annexation & Rezoning (PC-26-07 and PC-26-08): Several residents from the Villas of Stonecrest neighborhood spoke. Jane Cooney and others raised concerns about the timeline for development, traffic impacts, flood mitigation, and the need for public hearings at each stage. They appreciated the applicant's clarification that the project would be a market-rate 55+ rental community. Wayne Caston highlighted safety issues along Sawin Drive and the cost of utility improvements. A resident questioned the developer's track record and the planning commission's ability to ensure the project follows through as proposed. Applicant Daryl Hodgson replied to each concern, noting the project is still in early planning and that detailed engineering will address road and utility issues.

Discussion Items

  • General Resolution 2026-01: Zoning Ordinance Revisions – Staff (Melissa) presented a change making communication service exchange uses a conditional use rather than permitted in commercial and industrial districts. This requires a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals. The commission voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
  • SDP-26-18: Columbus Gateway – Staff presented the proposal for seven modifications related to driveway separation, sign types, and height. Applicant Aaron Boyle (Midland Atlantic Properties) explained they voluntarily reduced signage by 45% to avoid clutter. After individual votes:
    • Waiver 1 (arterial drive separation): Approved unanimously.
    • Waiver 2 (local drive separation): Approved unanimously.
    • Waiver 3 (off-premise sign): Approved unanimously.
    • Waiver 4 (additional secondary elements on lot 4): Approved unanimously.
    • Waiver 5 (multi-tenant off-premise sign on lot 7): Approved unanimously.
    • Waiver 6 (secondary element size): Approved unanimously.
    • Waiver 7 (additional interstate-oriented sign on lot 7): Recommended for denial by staff but approved 9-2 (Dennis Baute and another opposed).
    • Overall site plan approved with commitments: interstate signs prohibited on lots 1–4, permitted on lots 5&6; freestanding signs limited to 15 feet in height on lots 1–6; and other conditions regarding driveway alignment and trail connections.
  • PC-26-07 & PC-26-08: Annexation and Rezoning (Abundant Home Solutions) – Staff (Jesse) presented the request to annex 80 acres (16% contiguity, exceeding the 12.5% requirement) and rezone from AP (Agriculture Preferred) to RT (Residential Two-Family). The site is in the airport hazard area and is designated residential in the comprehensive plan. Applicant Daryl Hodgson stated the intent is a market-rate 55+ rental community similar to Villas of Stonecrest. Discussion included proximity to goods and services, park space, and the flexibility of RT zoning. The commission voted to send favorable recommendations to City Council: annexation passed 11-0; rezoning passed 10-1 (Dennis Baute dissenting citing concerns about code enforcement and rental property maintenance).
  • Discussion of Housing Related Zoning Map Changes – Staff presented proposed amendments to housing zoning districts, including replacing RT with R5, splitting RE into RE1 (owner-occupied, historic), RE2 (allowing duplexes/triplexes by right), and RE3 (county-only), and adjusting other maps. Commissioners discussed the rationale, line-drawing, and the need for public input. Chris Bartels expressed concerns about specific boundaries in his area. The commission agreed to hold a public open house in September, with a formal vote expected in October.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved unanimously: Consent agenda, General Resolution 2026-01, Columbus Gateway waivers 1–6.
  • Approved (9-2): Columbus Gateway waiver 7 (second interstate sign on lot 7).
  • Approved with conditions: Overall Columbus Gateway site development plan (SDP-26-18).
  • Recommended favorable to City Council (11-0): Annexation (PC-26-07).
  • Recommended favorable to City Council (10-1): Rezoning to RT (PC-26-08).
  • Continued to next meeting: SDP-26-26 (FC Tucker signs).
  • Next steps on housing map changes: Public open house in September; commission vote anticipated in October.

Meeting Transcript

We have everybody that we're supposed to be here. Councilman. It's getting quiet. That one records November. The July 8th as our presiding officer this afternoon. I would like to remind everyone uh use the microphones when speaking, so both everyone in the room. Commission members, please be sure your microphones are on, meaning they're not blinking. For anyone speak later, we will ask that when I am which is that one right there in the middle. I would ask everyone to your phone so they do not disturb our meeting. Dave Bush, Columbus Parks Board. Evan Klein by the County Commissioners. Zach Ellison. Dennis Bowdy appointed by the mayor. Melissa Begley, Planning Department. Michael Kinder appointed by the mayor. Laura Garrett, appointed by the mayor. Keith the Alaby appointed by the mayor. Henderson, uh appointed by Board of Park. Thank you. Let the mutants reflect that a quorum is present. All righty. There are a motion. So move approval. All right, motion's been made and seconded. Who is that? I think it was Circy. She can have that. All right. Any questions on the motion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, same second. Um we'll just go a little bit out of order just as DP 2626 FC Tucker proposed. The properties located at 617 Washington Street. This has requested a continuance. Do we have a motion to accept the continuance? So move. All right, Zach has made the motion. Second. All right. Any questions on the motion? All in favor. Aye. Aye. Chris is now here. Hello, sorry for my target. No worries. All right. Move back on to our new business. A resolution regarding the revision of the Columbus and Barthellem ordinance for the jurisdiction of the city of Columbus.

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