After two years and over $3 million later, Ginther and City Council once again showed their true colors and genuflected to those who have historically continued to control development policies in Columbus: the developers and the development community. And after all the bragging about how many people sent in comments, attended public meetings, and the creation of the Zone In propaganda gallery, that there were virtually no changes made to the city’s initial Zone In policy. Yes, a two-year dog and pony show that resulted in ignoring public comment.    

The Columbus establishment and major media was of course in line as well. Columbus Metropolitan Club events on the topic included panelists of like-minded self-proclaimed experts selling their usual one-sided biased opinions. You do not become the CEO of a Columbus housing non-profit unless you are a bedfellow of City Hall. It amazes me how the leaders of such organizations have no ideas of their own on how to address our housing crisis and not the least bit critical of any details within the Zone In policy. That has always been the trouble with Columbus and its non-profit CEOs. They are appointed to go with the flow and to be good foot soldiers.

I agree that some of the policy changes of Zone In are necessary. I am not opposed to higher density. But for me, it has always been about where and how much. I also agree with lowering parking requirements but feel that there should be a formula that addresses those requirements based on where a new development occurs. There are maybe a couple of hundred non-designated historical structures throughout Columbus neighborhoods that have no safeguards from demolition. Heaven forbid they exclude at best a couple of hundred parcels out of the 12,300 that have been designated for new development.

Saving existing greenspace and tree canopy are not a priority of Ginther and City Council either. Zone In’s new setback allowances in the UGN 1 & 2 districts are 0 -15’ and 5’-25’ that promise to remove existing tree canopy (some 30’- 60’ in height) and greenspace. Just so a new market rate apartment building can be constructed closer to the sidewalk.  

Columbus has one of the highest eviction rates in the nation, which is actually old news. We have for some time, along with some of the highest rent increases in the US. But hey, we have been saved by Zone In and all the hard work Ginther, Hardin and Doran’s in particular have done to assure us that they have everything under control and they will properly address our affordable housing crisis. And let’s not forget all the cheerleading by their lackeys that are scattered around the city. And don’t forget that according to our tremendous trio of leaders, Zone In will also eliminate redlining, allow anyone to be able to afford to live anywhere in the city, support small businesses, and save historic structures. Not quite sure how Zone In supports small businesses when it incentivizes the demolition of buildings that already support small businesses.    

While we wait for at least 7-10 years for supply to meet demand (if even by then), look for evictions to continue to rise and an increase in homelessness. Sorry people, but you are just going to have to suck it up somehow. Market rate housing will of course continue to be plentiful for the labor pool of corporate Columbus, our four major hospital institutions, OSU, and those who desire to commute to our regional data centers and Intel.