Columbus Council Committee Approves 216-Unit Sycamore Landing Rezoning on Demorest Road
The City Council Zoning Committee approved the 216-unit Demorest Road apartment rezoning for Kittle Property Group with required road improvements.
The Columbus City Council Zoning Committee approved Ordinance 1607-2026 on Oct. 26, 2026, rezoning 11.49 acres at 2345 Demorest Road from Rural to Limited Apartment Residential. The measure allows Kittle Property Group to construct up to 216 residential units for the planned Sycamore Landing apartment community. The Zoning Committee had previously postponed Ordinance 1607-2026 on Oct. 19 on a 9-0 affirmative vote to postpone the ordinance to Oct. 26, 2026.
For the 2345 Demorest Road site, the Westland Area Commission on Dec. 17, 2025, recommended disapproval by a 0-8 vote. Area commissioners cited traffic congestion and density concerns, pointing out that the proposed 18.96 units per acre exceeds neighboring subdivisions developed at 3 to 5 units per acre. Commissioners also highlighted traffic constraints on Demorest Road, noting that vehicle access toward Interstate 270 must pass through a single-lane roundabout at Alkire Road and an unexpandable two-lane highway underpass.
As part of traffic-related commitments, the applicant must install road improvements on Demorest Road at the site access point, including a 175-foot northbound left-turn lane with a 50-foot diverging taper. The applicant must also extend a pedestrian facility from the southern edge of the site frontage on Demorest Road and provide a signaled pedestrian crossing zone with high-visibility crosswalk markings and a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon. In lieu of building a warranted southbound right-turn lane, the developer must provide a financial contribution based on turn-lane costs toward a future Franklin County Engineer regional path project along Demorest Road.
City staff recommended approval, noting that while multi-unit residential use is inconsistent with the Westland Area Plan recommendation of institutional use, the proposal is consistent with Columbus Growth Strategy guiding principles recommending conversion of faith-based sites for housing and creating mixed-income communities. The 11.49-acre site, owned by Vida Nueva Wesleyan Church, was annexed into Columbus from Jackson Township. Earlier, the application was tabled by the Development Commission on March 12, 2026, before receiving a 3-2 approval recommendation on May 14, 2026.
Previously, Pique reported that the council committee was scheduled to consider the Demorest Road rezoning on Oct. 26, 2026.
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Supporting evidence (2)
The Columbus City Council Zoning Committee approved Ordinance 1607-2026 on Oct. 26, 2026, rezoning 11.49 acres at 2345 Demorest Road from Rural to Limited Apartment Residential.
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REGULAR MEETING NO. 48 OF CITY COUNCIL (ZONING), OCTOBER 26, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
The Columbus City Council Zoning Committee approved Ordinance 1607-2026 on Oct. 26, 2026, rezoning 11.49 acres at 2345 Demorest Road from Rural to Limited Apartment Residential.
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1607-2026 · To rezone 2345 DEMOREST RD. (43123), being 11.49± acres located on the west side of Demorest Road; 460± feet north of White Spruce Lane, From: R, Rural District, To: L-AR-1, Limited Apartment Residential District (Rezoning #Z25-055). Approved
Supporting evidence (8)
The measure allows Kittle Property Group to construct up to 216 residential units for the planned Sycamore Landing apartment community.
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APPLICANT: Kittle Property Group Inc.; c/o Jackson B. Reynolds, III, Atty.; 172 East State Street, Suite 550; Columbus, OH 43215.
The measure allows Kittle Property Group to construct up to 216 residential units for the planned Sycamore Landing apartment community.
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The requested L-AR-1 district will allow a multi-unit residential development with a maximum of 216 units developed in accordance with the submitted site plan.
As part of traffic-related commitments, the applicant must install road improvements on Demorest Road at the site access point, including a 175-foot northbound left-turn lane with a 50-foot diverging taper.
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B. Access, Loading, Parking, and/or Other Traffic Related Commitments. The applicant shall install the following road improvements on Demorest Road at the site’s access point. 1. A northbound left turn lane with a length of 175 feet which includes 50 foot diverging taper.
The applicant must also extend a pedestrian facility from the southern edge of the site frontage on Demorest Road and provide a signaled pedestrian crossing zone with high-visibility crosswalk markings and a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon.
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2. The applicant shall extend a pedestrian facility from the southern edge of the site frontage on Demorest Road and provide a signaled pedestrian crossing zone with high visibility crosswalk markings and a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon.
In lieu of building a warranted southbound right-turn lane, the developer must provide a financial contribution based on turn-lane costs toward a future Franklin County Engineer regional path project along Demorest Road.
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3. A 175’ (including a 50’ diverging taper) southbound right turn lane is warranted at the site access. In lieu of construction, the Developer shall be responsible to provide a contribution based on the cost of the turn lane to go toward a future regional path project along Demorest Road. This shall be based on an estimate and schematic reviewed and approved by the FCEO.
City staff recommended approval, noting that while multi-unit residential use is inconsistent with the Westland Area Plan recommendation of institutional use, the proposal is consistent with Columbus Growth Strategy guiding principles recommending conversion of faith-based sites for housing and creating mixed-income communities.
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CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The 11.49± acre site consists of an undeveloped portion of one parcel in the R, Rural District after recent annexation into the City from Jackson Township. The requested L-AR-1 district will allow a multi-unit residential development with a maximum of 216 units developed in accordance with the submitted site plan. The limitation text establishes use restrictions and supplemental development standards addressing maximum unit count, site access, and landscaping. While the proposed use is inconsistent with the Westland Area Plan’s (1994) recommendation of “Institutional”, staff note the proposed multi-unit residential use is consistent with Columbus Growth Strategy (2026) Guiding Principles which recommends conversion of faith-based sites for housing, and the creation of a variety of housing types to support mixed-income communities, which is a priority for all neighborhoods and is encouraged based on needs identified by the Columbus Housing Strategy and related efforts.
The 11.49-acre site, owned by Vida Nueva Wesleyan Church, was annexed into Columbus from Jackson Township.
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The 11.49± acre site consists of an undeveloped portion of one parcel in the R, Rural District after recent annexation into the City from Jackson Township.
Earlier, the application was tabled by the Development Commission on March 12, 2026, before receiving a 3-2 approval recommendation on May 14, 2026.
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DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval (3-2) on May 14, 2026.
Columbus Council Committee to Consider 216-Unit Demorest Road Rezoning
Supporting evidence (6)
The measure allows Kittle Property Group to construct up to 216 residential units for the planned Sycamore Landing apartment community.
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The Columbus City Council Zoning Committee is scheduled to consider Ordinance 1607-2026 on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, to rezone 11.49 acres at 2345 Demorest Road for Sycamore Landing, a proposed 216-unit apartment community.
The Zoning Committee had previously postponed Ordinance 1607-2026 on Oct. 19 on a 9-0 affirmative vote to postpone the ordinance to Oct. 26, 2026.
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The Zoning Committee postponed Ordinance 1607-2026 on Oct. 19 before scheduling the Demorest Road rezoning for Oct. 26.
The Zoning Committee had previously postponed Ordinance 1607-2026 on Oct. 19 on a 9-0 affirmative vote to postpone the ordinance to Oct. 26, 2026.
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On a motion that the ordinance be postponed to Oct. 26, 2026, the committee recorded a 9-0 affirmative vote.
For the 2345 Demorest Road site, the Westland Area Commission on Dec. 17, 2025, recommended disapproval by a 0-8 vote.
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The Westland Area Commission recommended disapproval by a 0-8 vote
Previously, Pique reported that the council committee was scheduled to consider the Demorest Road rezoning on Oct. 26, 2026.
Read supporting passage
Columbus Council Committee to Consider 216-Unit Demorest Road Rezoning
Previously, Pique reported that the council committee was scheduled to consider the Demorest Road rezoning on Oct. 26, 2026.
Read supporting passage
The Columbus City Council Zoning Committee is scheduled to consider Ordinance 1607-2026 on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, to rezone 11.49 acres at 2345 Demorest Road for Sycamore Landing, a proposed 216-unit apartment community.
Supporting evidence (3)
For the 2345 Demorest Road site, the Westland Area Commission on Dec. 17, 2025, recommended disapproval by a 0-8 vote.
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Address 2345 Demorest Road Group Name Westland Area Commission Meeting Date December 17, 2025
Area commissioners cited traffic congestion and density concerns, pointing out that the proposed 18.96 units per acre exceeds neighboring subdivisions developed at 3 to 5 units per acre.
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The primary basis for the denial was density and traffic. The Westland Area Plan calls for the site to be developed as Institutional, however the neighboring parcels are Residential, 3-5 units per acre. The proposed development is for 216 units on 11.394 acres, at a density of 18.957 units per acre. The Commission feels the proposed plan is too intense for the site. Members also had concerns with traffic on Demorest Road.
Commissioners also highlighted traffic constraints on Demorest Road, noting that vehicle access toward Interstate 270 must pass through a single-lane roundabout at Alkire Road and an unexpandable two-lane highway underpass.
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Demorest is a two-lane road, with the nearest access to I-270 requiring traveling through a single-lane roundabout at Alkire Road, and then passing under I-270, which is also two-lane and has no room for widening. This site is not appropriate for the intensity of this proposed development.
Supporting evidence (2)
The 11.49-acre site, owned by Vida Nueva Wesleyan Church, was annexed into Columbus from Jackson Township.
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Property Owner(s): Vida Nueva Wesleyan Church; 5930 Wilcox Place, Suite J; Dublin, OH 43017.
Earlier, the application was tabled by the Development Commission on March 12, 2026, before receiving a 3-2 approval recommendation on May 14, 2026.
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This application was heard at the March 12, 2026 Development Commission meeting which resulted in tabling the application.