PC disapproves of Columbia Parkway condos

The City Planning Commission disapproved of a new four-story condo building proposed for East Walnut Hills.

Property owner Theodore Gleason wants to build the 12-unit building on four parcels (1.8 acres) that he owns at 2106-2110 Columbia Parkway. A lower-level, 27-space parking garage would also be included, with the total footprint being slightly less than 10,000 square feet.

The subject of the discussion was the rezoning of the parcels from SF-20 Single-Family to RM-2.0 Residential Multi-Family. SF-20 districts require a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet, while RM-2.0 districts require a minimum lot size of 2,000 square feet for every dwelling unit*.

The land currently contains two two-family houses, both listed as by the county auditor as being built in the 1940s. The upper of the two houses, 2106 Columbia Parkway, features a mural by Leo Murphy and may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Neither of the homes are conforming uses under the current zoning code.

The new building would take the place of 2110 Columbia Parkway, while the (possibly) historic home would be preserved.

Staff at the Department of Community Development and Planning recommended disapproval due to the prevailing surrounding land uses along the parkway, which have been single-family and two-family buildings.

The City's Department of Transportation and Engineering had also sided against the rezoning due to the safety concerns of more vehicles trying to enter the busy roadway via a steep driveway.

This issue will likely appear in front of the Economic Development Committee at their next meeting on Spetember 11, though their agenda has not yet been released.

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* Lot size: 78,797 square feet. A maximum of 39 units would be allowed.