The City of Columbus Planning Division is working with neighborhood residents to update the South Plan to include Schumacher Place and northern Merion Village, north of Nursery Lane. (The section of Merion Village south of Nursery Lane is already covered in the existing South Plan.)

The South Plan Addendum planning activities began on October 24, 2006, and will continue through 2007. This is a joint effort by the community, the Columbus Public Schools and the City of Columbus to recommend potential reuse/redevelopment options for these school buildings.

For more information about the South Plan Addendum, please contact Columbus Senior Planner Devayani Puranik, by email at DDPuranik@columbus.gov or phone 614-645-0663.

A complete DRAFT of the South Side Plan Amendment is now available for public review and input. This draft is a product of City of Columbus Planning Division staff working with a Working Committee consisting of members of the Schumacher Place Civic Association, Merion Village Association and other stakeholders. The draft consists of materials that have been reviewed and recommended by the Working Committee as a part of the plan development process over the last 12 months. More illustrations and pictures will be added as part of further development of the document. Highlights of the plan are provided at the end of this mail for your convenience.

Please note the following:
  • Draft Plan: A complete draft of the plan is available on the Columbus Planning Division’s website: http://td.ci.columbus.oh.us/Bizdevelopment/PlanList/index.asp
  • Public Presentation: A Public Presentation is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2007 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Parson Avenue Library at 845 Parsons Avenue.
  • Public Comment Form: Comments on this draft should be provided to Devayani Puranik by Friday, October 26, using the public input form provided on the city website referenced above. Anyone interested in having a pdf version of the draft plan or the pubic input form sent via email may contact Devayani Puranik at ddpuranik@columbus.gov.
  • Schumacher Place Civic Association and Merion Village Association: Input received during the open house or from the public input form will be presented, along with the draft plan, to the civic associations.

Next Steps: Provided the draft plan is recommended by the Schumacher Place Civic Association and Merion Village Association, it will be considered by the City of Columbus Development Commission at its November meeting, and then scheduled for consideration by City Council thereafter.

Please feel free to contact Devayani Puranik at 614-645-0663 or ddpuranik@columbus.gov with any questions regarding the draft plan or the public review process.  

Highlights from the Draft South Side Plan Amendment:

  • Commercial and Mixed Use Development
    Commercial and mixed use design standards in addition to existing Urban Commercial Overlay standards are recommended for new developments and potential redevelopments. The potential locations are identified to incorporate the mixed use projects with compatible development standards.

    Continued development of the commercial corridor- The plan recognizes the unique mix of residential and commercial land uses on the commercial corridors and recommends preserving these resources. Plan recommends preserving other historic resources as well.

    Urban Commercial Overlay is recommended for the portion of Livingston. The application of the overlays will enhance the level of development and strengthen the commercial corridor.
  • Residential Development
    The plan focuses on infill development standards with compatible development guidelines to ensure cohesive development incorporating existing historic structures.
  • Key Opportunity Sites
    Different concepts for adaptive reuse are presented for these sites in collaboration of Columbus Public Schools and the community.

    Barrett Middle School - The first concept for Barrett Middle School is Artists Live/Work center accommodating studio and performance spaces for artists. Another concept includes residential spaces for active seniors. In both cases the current open space is recommended to be preserved for community purposes

    Beck Urban Academy - The first concept for Beck Urban Academy recommends reuse of the existing school building as an upscale Bed and Breakfast supporting major employment centers around the planning area. This will also create a destination within the community. The second concept includes a mixed-use project with small scale commercial uses with office and residential components. The current open space is recommended to be preserved for community purposes.
  • Implementation
    Plan implementation is recommended through the use of a development review checklist for zoning and variance applications to ensure consistency with the plan and a chart of action oriented recommendations to assist with the prioritization of plan recommendations.