Columbus City Council Regular Meeting – March 4, 2026

The Columbus City Council met on March 4, 2026, to conduct its regular business, including recognitions, public hearings, and votes on a variety of legislative items. The meeting featured multiple resolutions honoring community members and organizations, as well as significant debate over a rezoning request in the Northland area. Several ordinances were passed to fund city services, housing initiatives, and public safety equipment.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions of Expression: Adopted en bloc: 0058X-2026 through 0065X-2026, 0068X-2026, and 0060X-2026, recognizing individuals and events.
• Ordinances (Finance, Economic Development, Public Service, etc.): Approved without discussion, including contracts for facility management, lockbox banking services, plumbing maintenance, and multiple capital improvement fund transfers.
• Appointments: A39-2026 through A66-2026 were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zoning Case (4691 Central College Road): Three residents spoke against the rezoning, citing concerns about density, compatibility with the surrounding single-family neighborhood, and inconsistency with the Northland II plan. Matthew Ward (Asherton Grove Condo Association) stated that the 152-unit apartment proposal is too dense and called for development consistent with the 2002 Northland plan. David Slobe (Asherton Grove representative to NCC) argued that the project changes the character of the neighborhood and that the city should prioritize homeownership opportunities. Suzanne Harnisher (Northland Community Council) emphasized that the community had not been consulted on the final revision and that the density remains too high.
• Habitat for Humanity Grant (Ordinance 0552-2026): Nathaniel Wilkins spoke against the grant, criticizing Habitat for Humanity for demolishing historic homes in the Linden neighborhood rather than rehabilitating them. Brandi Alisa (President/CEO, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio) responded, noting that the 14-unit townhome project is in the Devon Triangle neighborhood (not Linden) and that building affordable homes requires cost-effective construction. She also provided statistics showing that 65% of Habitat homeowners report improved financial stability.

Discussion Items

• Recognitions:
  • Resolution 0069X-2026 honored the Centennial High School girls’ basketball team for winning back-to-back City League championships. Coach Ernest Bell and players were present.
  • Resolution 0067X-2026 recognized Local Matters during National Nutrition Month. Yolanda Owens (Executive Director) highlighted the organization’s 18 years of work, reaching over 200,000 lives in Central Ohio.
  • Resolution 0066X-2026 (introduced by Councilmember Weish) urged the Ohio legislature to pass House Bill 303, a community energy pilot program. Mariah Williams (Solar United Neighbors) noted that Columbus is the fourth city to pass such a resolution.
  • Resolution 0059X-2026 designated April as Jazz Appreciation Month and April 30 as International Jazz Day. Stephanie Matthews (A Tribe for Jazz) outlined a series of events and introduced students from Fort Hayes and Ohio State University.
  • Resolution 0070X-2026 honored Charles Coleman, a city water and power employee, for rescuing a young girl from a bridge. Coleman and his director spoke about the incident.
• Zoning – 4691 Central College Road (Ordinance 3223-2025): The applicant (Preferred Living) proposed rezoning 10.1 acres from Rural to LARLD (Limited Apartment Residential District) to build 152 apartment units in two-story buildings. The project had been reduced from an initial 216 units after three appearances before the Development Commission, which ultimately recommended approval. Staff from the Department of Building and Zoning Services, Planning, Traffic Management, and Housing Strategy all supported the rezoning, citing the need for housing diversity and the adequacy of existing infrastructure. The Northland Community Council opposed the project, submitting a petition with 2,500 signatures. Councilmembers debated the issues of density, affordability, and community character. Council President Harden and several members expressed support, noting the need for rental housing and the project’s design improvements. Councilmember Remy opposed. The final vote was 6-1 in favor.
• Habitat for Humanity Grant (Ordinance 0552-2026): Authorized $1 million (with a total commitment of $2 million) for a 14-unit affordable townhome development in the Devon Triangle neighborhood. Units will be sold to families earning 30-60% of area median income.
• Recycling Contract (Ordinance 822-2026): Renewed the contract with Rumpke of Ohio for yard waste and recycling collection services for the 10th year at a total of $19.6 million, funded partly from the income tax set‑aside fund. The Department of Public Service noted that a new RFP will split the city into three zones to allow multiple vendors.
• Other Ordinances:
  • Public safety: Approved funding for Verizon wireless services ($1.25M), firefighter uniforms and equipment ($1.53M), EMS pharmaceuticals ($1.2M), and crime lab equipment ($24,929).
  • Housing: Approved $1 million for the Tony R. Wells Foundation to manage the American Dream Down Payment Initiative, and $2.5 million (total $5 million) for 24 single-family zero‑energy ready homes in the American Edition neighborhood.
  • Public Utilities: Approved $3.2M for water distribution maintenance, $55,000 for methane detection systems on refuse trucks, and $3.2M for light‑duty vehicles for the Department of Public Utilities.
  • Code change: Reestablished the Information Service Division within the Department of Technology (Ordinance 0583-2026).

Key Outcomes

• Zoning 4691 Central College Road: Passed 6-1 (Councilmember Remy dissenting). The rezoning and development plan were approved with a commitment to the site plan and two-story height limit.
• Habitat for Humanity Grant (Ordinance 0552-2026): Passed unanimously.
• Other ordinances: All consent and second‑reading items were passed, including the recycling contract, public safety equipment, and housing grants.
• Next Steps: The recycling contract renewal is effective until March 31, 2026, with a new RFP to be issued. The community energy resolution will be sent to the Ohio Senate. The housing projects will proceed with design and construction.