Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Summary - July 28, 2026

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) met on July 28, 2026, at 11:30 AM to consider several petitions for conditional use permits and variances. The meeting included six agenda items, with two continuances, two approvals, one denial, and one approval of conditions. Public testimony was heard on multiple items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• BZA 26-48 (Worthy Investments): Brad Grayson (investment property owner in area) and Tom Dell (address given) spoke in favor, citing the need for additional housing and the quality of the proposed duplex.
• BZA 26-50 (Four Roots Farm): Kenny Wipker (911 Franklin Street) spoke in favor, noting the unique agritourism benefit. Janine Blomenberg (1451 North Hillside Drive) raised concerns about fencing, child safety, driveway width, emergency access, and parking. Tom Dell (1063 Coming Bridlain) expressed concern about traffic safety near the intersection of 46 and 500 West.
• BZA 26-52 (Grindstone Properties): Multiple neighbors opposed the conversion of the basement into a third dwelling unit. Cheryl Knolf (1027 Franklin Street, 26-year resident) stated the owner had previously misrepresented the existence of a basement apartment and violated a stop work order. Additional speakers (names not fully captured) echoed concerns about rewarding duplicitous behavior, parking, historic preservation, and precedent-setting. Two letters of opposition were entered into the record from Dr. Michael G. Cartwright and Sheffield Junior.
• BZA 26-55 (Iglesia Tista Vita Nuevo): Don Schriedemeyer (9390E400N, farmer) expressed concern about night lighting affecting soybean crops, but noted the church has been a good neighbor. No other public comments.

Discussion Items

• BZA 26-46 (Tim Sprozig Development Standard Variance) & BZA 26-53 (Cedar Hearst Senior Living Development Standard Variance): Both petitions were continued to the August 2026 meeting because additional material had been added after the public notice. No objections were raised, and the continuances were approved unanimously.

• BZA 26-48 (Worthy Investments): Conditional use request to construct a new two-story duplex at 702 Reed Street (empty lot, zoned residential established). The applicant, Trent Worthy, amended the original request from three dwelling units to two. Staff presented the concept plan showing two 1,144 sq. ft. units, four parking spaces accessible from the alley. The board voted unanimously to approve the conditional use, finding all criteria met.

• BZA 26-50 (Four Roots Farm): Conditional use request for agritourism (U-pick flowers, pumpkin patch, petting farm) on 4.53 acres zoned AP (agriculture preferred) at 303 N 500 West. The applicant, Sean and Kylie Riley, provided hours of operation after the staff report. The board discussed potential conditions including right-of-way dedication, site visibility improvements, fire inspector recommendations, and operating hours. A motion to approve with specific conditions was made and seconded; the motion passed unanimously (all aye). Conditions included: 1) dedication of right-of-way along 500 West; 2) addressing county highway visibility concerns; 3) addressing fire inspector driveway/parking concerns; 4) operating hours: Thursday–Friday 4–8 PM, Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–10 PM; November–May events not to exceed 10 PM.

• BZA 26-52 (Grindstone Properties): Conditional use request to convert the basement of an existing two-unit dwelling at 1023 Franklin Street into a third dwelling unit (total three units, multifamily) in a residential established zone. The applicant, Michael Arbuckle, stated he had not pulled permits for the third unit and was unaware of the requirement. Public opposition was strong. After deliberation, a motion to deny was made by Grant, seconded by Chuck, citing that the proposed use was not consistent with the character of the zoning district, based on public input and policy A29 of the comprehensive plan. The motion carried 3-2 (Hillary, Grant, Chuck in favor of denial; Michael and Zach opposed). The request was denied.

• BZA 26-55 (Iglesia Tista Vita Nuevo): Conditional use request to expand an existing worship facility at 195 S 300 East (Clay Township) by adding a 10,900 sq. ft. building addition and gravel parking expansion. The church previously received approval in 2005. The applicant, Leon Boyton and Greg Colko, committed to conditions from the staff report: removing an unapproved sign, replacing missing shrubs along 300 E, setting back parking 15 feet from property lines, screening the dumpster, and ensuring zero foot-candles of light spill onto adjacent agricultural properties. The condition was added due to a farmer's concern about lighting affecting soybean growth. The motion to approve with those conditions passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• BZA 26-46 & BZA 26-53: Continued to August 2026 meeting.
• BZA 26-48: Approved unanimously (all aye) for a duplex at 702 Reed Street.
• BZA 26-50: Approved unanimously with four conditions (right-of-way, visibility, fire inspector, operating hours).
• BZA 26-52: Denied 3-2 (Hillary, Grant, Chuck for denial; Michael, Zach opposed).
• BZA 26-55: Approved unanimously with five conditions (sign removal, shrubs, 15-foot setback, dumpster enclosure, zero light spill).
• Approval of Findings of Fact for BZA 26-41 (Tyler Short Wolf Creek Landscape Services) – approved unanimously.
• Approval of Minutes from the June 23, 2026 meeting – approved unanimously.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after the discussion of the August agenda.