Columbus Planning Staff Reviews Renner West on Roberts Road and Outlines Revisions
City planning staff expressed general support for the proposed mixed-use rezoning while traffic and zoning officials outlined required roadway, trail and site modifications.
City staff reviewed the rezoning application for Renner West at 6751 Roberts Road, issuing considerations on the 279.5-acre development proposal. Dated Oct. 28, 2026, the application lists rural zoning and requests planned commercial and residential districts for mixed-unit residential and commercial development. City records document the upload of staff review results on Oct. 29, 2026.
Previously, Pique reported that an initial application was filed for Renner West on Oct. 9, 2026, that municipal records detailed the 279.5-acre scope on Oct. 16, 2026, and that the proposal advanced to active review across eight parcels on Oct. 21, 2026.
Developer and Ownership Disclosures
The review documents formally identified the applicant as Harmony Development Group, LLC, represented by Columbus attorney Molly Gwin. The review records also disclosed the property owner for the 6751 Roberts Road site as Jutta Zwayer et al, located in Richwood, Ohio.
In site plan comments, zoning staff noted that site data lists 275.9 acres while the text lists 279.5 acres and instructed the applicant to rectify the numbers. Staff also instructed the developer to remove subarea nine from the southeast corner of the site plan, provide legal descriptions for each proposed subarea, and verify all unit counts and acreages.
Big Darby Accord Alignment
Staff with the Columbus Planning Division indicated that the division generally supported the rezoning concept, while requesting elevations and landscaping details for review. According to the planning review, proposed residential uses are consistent with watershed accord recommendations for Neighborhood 1 across portions of subareas three and five, as well as Neighborhood 2 densities ranging from 4 to 8 dwelling units per acre.
Although the accord does not formally recommend commercial uses in Neighborhood 2, staff cited compatibility with adjacent properties, Columbus Growth Strategy guidelines encouraging mixed uses along primary corridors, and planned civic space as mitigating factors supporting the commercial request. Planning staff noted that the most homes near park areas are single-loaded and oriented toward open space rather than backing up to parks, consistent with Columbus Growth Strategy design guidelines.
Staff noted that the application will be reviewed by the watershed panel for a recommendation of approval or disapproval. The Department of Recreation and Parks commented that the Parkland Dedication Ordinance helps provide 5.5 acres of appropriate public parkland or open space for every 1,000 residents.
Roadway, Trail and Site Revisions
The Division of Traffic Management commented that a traffic impact study will be required in conjunction with the application, noting that the necessary traffic impact study has not yet been submitted. The review specifies that a right-of-way dedication of 50 feet from the centerline of Alton & Darby Creek Road and 50 feet from the centerline of Roberts Road will be required.
In the southeast corner of subarea eight, the location of a proposed public street intersection less than 100 feet north of Walker Road is unlikely to be supported. In the southeast corner of subarea nine, a proposed access to Alton & Darby Creek Road opposite Frutta Drive is not supported. In the northwest corner of subarea four, traffic staff noted that a proposed access point immediately south of Roberts Road is not supported and must be shifted or removed to the south.
Along the site's frontages, the developer will be required to build sidewalks along both road frontages on Alton & Darby Creek and Roberts roads. The city also determined that the project requires offsite sidewalk links connecting the property to the intersections of Alton & Darby Creek Road with Roberts and Walker roads.
Traffic officials stated it will be unacceptable for a proposed leisure trail adjacent to a street to have a width of only 8 feet, requiring wider right-of-way paths of at least 10 feet in width, with 11 feet preferred, so pedestrians and cyclists can pass side by side. Regarding accessory dwelling units, traffic reviewers stated that curbside parking spaces cannot satisfy a zoning requirement for a parking space, requiring any additional parking space to be located on private property or along a private street.
The alley exhibit shows 12 feet of alley pavement within a 20-foot right-of-way, which will not be permitted for public alleys that must follow standard drawings.
Timeline and Next Steps
City planner Brandon Carpenter stated that final materials for the rezoning application must be submitted by November 18, 2026, to be placed on the December 10, 2026 Development Commission meeting agenda. Staff comments instruct the applicant to provide standardized recommendation forms from the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel and the Greater Hilltop Area Commission when finalized.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Z26-040 · Rezoning — 6751 ROBERTS RD COLUMBUS OH
Supporting evidence (2)
City staff reviewed the rezoning application for Renner West at 6751 Roberts Road, issuing considerations on the 279.5-acre development proposal.
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Renner West Z26-040 6751 ROBERTS ROAD (43026) 120000105 AND SEVEN OTHERS; 279.5 ACRES TO REZONE FROM R, RURAL (PENDING ANNEXATION) TO PUD-8, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AND CPD, COMMERCIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS TO ALLOW MIXED-UNIT RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERICAL DEVELOPMENT (H-60)
City records document the upload of staff review results on Oct. 29, 2026.
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Document: Zoning Applications · Z26-040 - Staff Review Results.pdf · attachment 5439052 · 2026-10-29T04:00:00Z · 177.97 KB
Supporting evidence (7)
City staff reviewed the rezoning application for Renner West at 6751 Roberts Road, issuing considerations on the 279.5-acre development proposal.
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Location: 6751 ROBERTS RD. (43026), being 279.5± acres located on the south side of Roberts Road; ±1,755 feet west of Alton & Darby Creek Road (120-000105, and seven others; Far West Side Area Commission and Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel). Existing Zoning: R, Rural District. Request: PUD-8, Planned Unit Development District and CPD, Commercial Planned Development District (H-60). Proposed Use: Mixed-unit residential and commercial development. Applicant(s): Harmony Development Group, LLC c/o Molly Gwin, Atty.; 250 West Street, Suite 700; Columbus, OH 43215. Property Owner(s): Jutta Zwayer et al; 19845 Miller Road; Richwood, OH 43344. Planner: Brandon Carpenter; 614-645-1574; bmcarpenter@columbus.gov Dear Ms. Gwin, City staff reviewed the above referenced rezoning application, and the following considerations are a result of the review:
Dated Oct. 28, 2026, the application lists rural zoning and requests planned commercial and residential districts for mixed-unit residential and commercial development.
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October 28, 2026 APPLICATION: Z26-040 Location: 6751 ROBERTS RD. (43026), being 279.5± acres located on the south side of Roberts Road; ±1,755 feet west of Alton & Darby Creek Road (120-000105, and seven others; Far West Side Area Commission and Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel). Existing Zoning: R, Rural District. Request: PUD-8, Planned Unit Development District and CPD, Commercial Planned Development District (H-60). Proposed Use: Mixed-unit residential and commercial development.
The review documents formally identified the applicant as Harmony Development Group, LLC, represented by Columbus attorney Molly Gwin.
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Applicant(s): Harmony Development Group, LLC c/o Molly Gwin, Atty.; 250 West Street, Suite 700; Columbus, OH 43215.
The review records also disclosed the property owner for the 6751 Roberts Road site as Jutta Zwayer et al, located in Richwood, Ohio.
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Location: 6751 ROBERTS RD. (43026), being 279.5± acres located on the south side of Roberts Road; ±1,755 feet west of Alton & Darby Creek Road (120-000105, and seven others; Far West Side Area Commission and Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel). Existing Zoning: R, Rural District. Request: PUD-8, Planned Unit Development District and CPD, Commercial Planned Development District (H-60). Proposed Use: Mixed-unit residential and commercial development. Applicant(s): Harmony Development Group, LLC c/o Molly Gwin, Atty.; 250 West Street, Suite 700; Columbus, OH 43215. Property Owner(s): Jutta Zwayer et al; 19845 Miller Road; Richwood, OH 43344.
In site plan comments, zoning staff noted that site data lists 275.9 acres while the text lists 279.5 acres and instructed the applicant to rectify the numbers.
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2.) Site plan comments: i. Remove commercial use names from site data table. ii. Remove “Civic use”; replace with Commercial. iii. Site data lists 275.9 acres; the text lists 279.5 acres; please rectify.
Staff also instructed the developer to remove subarea nine from the southeast corner of the site plan, provide legal descriptions for each proposed subarea, and verify all unit counts and acreages.
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iv. Remove subarea 9 from the southeast corner. v. Verify unit counts and acreages. 3.) Label the ADU exhibit as “Exhibit C”. 4.) Provide legal descriptions for each proposed subarea.
Staff comments instruct the applicant to provide standardized recommendation forms from the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel and the Greater Hilltop Area Commission when finalized.
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5.) Provide the standardized recommendation forms from the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel and the Greater Hilltop Area Commission when finalized.
Rezoning Application Filed for Renner West Mixed-Use Development
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique reported that an initial application was filed for Renner West on Oct. 9, 2026, that municipal records detailed the 279.5-acre scope on Oct. 16, 2026, and that the proposal advanced to active review across eight parcels on Oct. 21, 2026.
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Rezoning Application Filed for Renner West Mixed-Use Development Initial filing Z26-040 enters pending review without project plans, leaving site boundaries and scope undisclosed ahead of city staff review. A new rezoning application was filed with the City of Columbus on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, proposing a mixed-use development titled Renner West off Alton Darby Creek and Renner roads according to municipal records.
Columbus Records Detail 279.5-Acre Renner West Rezoning on Roberts Road
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique reported that an initial application was filed for Renner West on Oct. 9, 2026, that municipal records detailed the 279.5-acre scope on Oct. 16, 2026, and that the proposal advanced to active review across eight parcels on Oct. 21, 2026.
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Columbus Records Detail 279.5-Acre Renner West Rezoning on Roberts Road An updated city filing outlines mixed-unit residential and commercial plans across seven parcels at 6751 Roberts Road. The City of Columbus updated municipal rezoning records on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, clarifying the scale and scope of the proposed Renner West mixed-use development on the city's Far West Side. Application Z26-040 for Renner West at 6751 Roberts Road specifies 279.5 acres across parcel 120000105 and six other parcels
Renner West Rezoning on Roberts Road Moves to Active Status Across Eight Parcels
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique reported that an initial application was filed for Renner West on Oct. 9, 2026, that municipal records detailed the 279.5-acre scope on Oct. 16, 2026, and that the proposal advanced to active review across eight parcels on Oct. 21, 2026.
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Renner West Rezoning on Roberts Road Moves to Active Status Across Eight Parcels The Renner West filing uploaded elevations and expanded the 279.5-acre proposal to eight parcels. On Oct. 21, 2026, the 279.5-acre Renner West rezoning at 6751 Roberts Road listed Active review status. For Renner West at 6751 Roberts Road, the filing expanded to eight parcels, listing parcel 120000105 and seven others
Supporting evidence (6)
Staff with the Columbus Planning Division indicated that the division generally supported the rezoning concept, while requesting elevations and landscaping details for review.
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Planning is generally supportive of the requested rezoning, but requests elevations and landscaping details to review.
According to the planning review, proposed residential uses are consistent with watershed accord recommendations for Neighborhood 1 across portions of subareas three and five, as well as Neighborhood 2 densities ranging from 4 to 8 dwelling units per acre.
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Staff note the proposed residential uses are consistent with Big Darby Accord Amendment (BDAA) (2026) recommendations of Neighborhood 1 (for portions of subarea 3 and subarea 5) and Neighborhood 2 (4-8 du/ac).
Although the accord does not formally recommend commercial uses in Neighborhood 2, staff cited compatibility with adjacent properties, Columbus Growth Strategy guidelines encouraging mixed uses along primary corridors, and planned civic space as mitigating factors supporting the commercial request.
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Although Neighborhood 2 does not include a recommendation for commercial, staff recognize its compatibility with adjacent uses, CGS Guiding Principles’ recommendation for mixed-use along primary corridors, consistency with CGS design guidelines in terms of building placement, and the provision of area for a future civic use as mitigating factors for support.
Planning staff noted that the most homes near park areas are single-loaded and oriented toward open space rather than backing up to parks, consistent with Columbus Growth Strategy design guidelines.
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CGS design guidelines also recommend development adjacent to parks and open space should be oriented towards the park (houses should not back up to parks and open space). Staff note the majority of units adjacent to open space are single loaded and oriented toward open space, consistent with CGS design guidelines.
Staff noted that the application will be reviewed by the watershed panel for a recommendation of approval or disapproval.
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Staff note this application will be reviewed by the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel (BDAAP) for a recommendation of approval/disproval.
The Department of Recreation and Parks commented that the Parkland Dedication Ordinance helps provide 5.5 acres of appropriate public parkland or open space for every 1,000 residents.
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Department of Recreation and Parks has the following comments: 1.) Are the proposed streets proposed to be public streets? Street trees in public R/W will need to be reviewed by the Plan Review Arborist Jonathan Hillman. Please contact him directly with any questions at JWHillman@columbus.gov 2.) Parkland Dedication Ordinance required and therefore requires coordination with the Department of Recreation & Parks. 3.) The Parkland Dedication Ordinance (City Code §3318) ensures that public parkland and open space is adequate, and that development interests are treated equitably throughout the rezoning process. This goal helps the City meet its goal with providing 5.5 acres of appropriate public parkland/open space for every 1,000 residents.
Supporting evidence (4)
The Division of Traffic Management commented that a traffic impact study will be required in conjunction with the application, noting that the necessary traffic impact study has not yet been submitted.
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Department of Public Service, Division of Traffic Management has the following comments: 1.) A traffic impact study will be required in conjunction with this application. While the traffic study process has been initiated, the necessary traffic impact study has not yet been submitted. Additional commitments or access revisions may be needed based on the results of the approved traffic impact study.
The review specifies that a right-of-way dedication of 50 feet from the centerline of Alton & Darby Creek Road and 50 feet from the centerline of Roberts Road will be required.
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Right-of-way dedication of 50 feet from the centerline of Alton & Darby Creek Road and 50 feet from the centerline of Roberts Road will be required per CCC 4309.17.
Along the site's frontages, the developer will be required to build sidewalks along both road frontages on Alton & Darby Creek and Roberts roads.
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With the proposed building construction, sidewalk will be required to be constructed along the Alton & Darby Creek Road and Roberts Road frontages of the site per the Department of Public Service Sidewalk and Shared Use Path Requirements Rules and Regulations.
The city also determined that the project requires offsite sidewalk links connecting the property to the intersections of Alton & Darby Creek Road with Roberts and Walker roads.
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Per CCC 4309.08, offsite pedestrian improvements will be needed to provide pedestrian connectivity between the site and the intersections of Alton & Darby Creek Road and Roberts Road and Alton & Darby Creek Road and Walker Road.
Supporting evidence (6)
In the southeast corner of subarea eight, the location of a proposed public street intersection less than 100 feet north of Walker Road is unlikely to be supported.
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In the southeast corner of Subarea 8, the location of the proposed public street intersection less than 100 feet north of Walker Road is unlikely to be supported.
In the southeast corner of subarea nine, a proposed access to Alton & Darby Creek Road opposite Frutta Drive is not supported.
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In the southeast corner of Subarea 9, the proposed access point to Alton & Darby Creek Road opposite Frutta Drive is not supported as previously discussed with the traffic impact study.
In the northwest corner of subarea four, traffic staff noted that a proposed access point immediately south of Roberts Road is not supported and must be shifted or removed to the south.
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In the northwest corner of Subarea 4, the proposed access point to the north- south public street immediately south of Roberts Road is not supported. This access point will either need to be removed or relocated to the south to provide sufficient spacing from Roberts Road.
Traffic officials stated it will be unacceptable for a proposed leisure trail adjacent to a street to have a width of only 8 feet, requiring wider right-of-way paths of at least 10 feet in width, with 11 feet preferred, so pedestrians and cyclists can pass side by side.
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Regarding item #4 in Miscellaneous Provisions Applicable To All Subareas, it will be unacceptable for a proposed leisure adjacent to a street in lieu of sidewalk to have a width of only 8 feet as paths less than 11 feet in width do not provide space to allow people to travel side-by-side one direction while being passed by other users approaching from the opposite direction (Design Memo 6.02). A preferred width of 11 feet and a minimum width of 10 feet will need to be maintained for any proposed leisure trail within public right-of-way.
Regarding accessory dwelling units, traffic reviewers stated that curbside parking spaces cannot satisfy a zoning requirement for a parking space, requiring any additional parking space to be located on private property or along a private street.
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Regarding item 1.c.ii of the PUD text, on-street parking along a public street cannot satisfy a zoning requirement for a parking space. If it is intended that an additional parking space be required for accessory dwelling units, that parking space will need to be located on private property or along a private street.
The alley exhibit shows 12 feet of alley pavement within a 20-foot right-of-way, which will not be permitted for public alleys that must follow standard drawings.
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The Alley A.D.U. exhibit shows a 12' alley pavement within a 20' right-of-way, which will not be permitted. The design of public alleys will need to follow standard drawing 2151.
Supporting evidence (1)
City planner Brandon Carpenter stated that final materials for the rezoning application must be submitted by November 18, 2026, to be placed on the December 10, 2026 Development Commission meeting agenda.
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Final materials for your rezoning application must be submitted to Brandon Carpenter by November 18, 2026, to be placed on the December 10, 2026 Development Commission meeting agenda. Modifications received after this date may not be considered.