COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus City Council on Monday adopted a sweeping new land-use policy known as the Columbus Growth Strategy, approved a resolution opposing a proposed AEP Ohio rate increase, and authorized more than $30 million for water treatment chemicals, all during a virtual meeting held under a Level 2 snow emergency.
Council members voted 9-0 to adopt the Growth Strategy, a citywide zoning and development guide that officials said will modernize a decades-old code, increase housing supply and promote mixed-use development. The plan, part of the broader Zone-In initiative, incorporates more than 19,000 parcel changes and resulted from extensive public engagement, according to Council Pro Tempore Rob Dorans.
“This is about being proactive and not reactive,” Dorans said. “We need to build more housing across Columbus to help stabilize housing costs. It’s not more complicated than supply and demand.”
But the vote drew opposition from some residents who argued the plan could accelerate displacement. Debra Link, a northwest Columbus resident, told council the strategy disregards 70 years of zoning protections and lacks a community mandate.
“This is not a mandate,” Link said. “Please vote no and submit any zoning overhaul to a vote of the people.”
Dorans acknowledged the disagreement but said the current zoning system is “broken” and that the Growth Strategy is a necessary step to address housing affordability and commercial blight.
In other business, council voted 9-0 to adopt Resolution 0018X-2026, urging the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to reject AEP Ohio’s proposed rate increase, which would raise the average residential bill by an estimated $30.51 per month. Speakers from the Ohio Environmental Council and Columbus Stand Up supported the measure, calling for no rate increases in 2026 and stronger disconnection protections.
Council also approved two enterprise zone tax abatements for industrial development at 5192 Alkire Road. C5 Columbus SW Building 1 LLC will receive a 75% abatement over 10 years for a $31.26 million investment expected to create 48 jobs. C5 Columbus SW Building 2 LLC received the same incentive for a $15.72 million project with 25 jobs.
A $30.4 million purchase of water treatment chemicals was authorized under an emergency designation to ensure safe drinking water. Council also approved a $350,000 roof replacement program for low-income homeowners, funded through Affordable Housing Taxable Bond Funds, and a $357,038 quick-build toolkit for pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements at high-injury intersections using federal grant money.
Council approved a $30,000 settlement in a civil rights lawsuit, Ryan Pitts v. Emily Geier et al., stemming from a traffic stop. The City Attorney’s office recommended the settlement due to a high likelihood of liability and accumulating attorney fees.
The meeting opened with a snow response update. Deputy Director James Young reported 98% of Priority 1 streets and 92% of collector streets cleared, with 100 trucks in service. Refuse collection resumed with 36,000 stops; residents with missed pickups were advised to call 3-1-1.
Council also approved a pilot program shifting its summer recess from August to July in 2026 to better accommodate staff and families with school-age children. The meeting concluded with the council moving into zoning matters.