Columbus City Council Unveils 'Zone In Phase Two' Modernizing Commercial Transit Corridors

COLUMBUS, OH — Columbus City Council and the Department of Building and Zoning Services unveiled the draft legislative text for 'Zone In Phase Two,' expanding the city’s landmark zoning modernization across 150 miles of primary arterial transit corridors including Broad Street, Main Street, and Cleveland Avenue.

Cutting Red Tape for Transit-Oriented Density

The Phase Two reforms eliminate mandatory parking minimums for commercial mixed-use developments along COTA rapid bus routes, permit corner multi-family residential buildings by right, and establish streamlined 30-day administrative site plan reviews for projects delivering ground-floor retail. City demographic modeling indicates Columbus is on track to add 300,000 residents by 2040, requiring updated zoning to prevent suburban sprawl.

Council President Shannon Hardin and Mayor Andrew Ginther emphasized that modernizing the city's 70-year-old zoning code is essential to guarantee housing affordability, transit ridership, and sustainable economic growth.

Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Neighborhood Input

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce praised the elimination of parking minimums for lowering per-unit construction carrying costs.

Civic associations participated in 12 neighborhood open-house design review sessions to refine building setback guidelines.

Council Vote Timeline

Columbus City Council will hold formal public committee hearings ahead of a final legislative vote in October 2026.