Downzoning in the hands of Hyde Park, Mount Lookout residents

Downzoning of single-family lots in Hyde Park and Mount Lookout to prevent further subdivision is now in the hands of the respective communities, according to an update from city manager Milton Dohoney Jr.

Dohoney's update is the result of a May 2008 report submitted to Cincinnati City Council's Economic Development Committee requesting zoning changes in the two neighborhoods, text amendments to the front yard modifications section of the zoning code, and changes to the subdivision regulations.

Residents in the two neighborhoods have become concerned over a perceived lack of zoning control when it comes to new construction, feeling that some recent projects are damaging the the integrity of their communities.

The issue first came to light when two new houses were built by John Hueber Homes at 2573 Observatory Avenue in Hyde Park, with the front house having a much smaller setback than other structures on the street.

And just recently, residents of Tannehill Lane in Mount Lookout fought a plan by Metropolitan Design & Development to build two new single-family homes that would be built not only closer to the street, but closer to neighboring lot lines than they thought the zoning code allowed.

In order to disallow the future subdivision of existing single-family lots, parcels would have to be downzoned to SF-20 Single-Family Residential, requiring a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet and a minimum lot width of 70 feet.

There are a total of 4,869 SF-6 and SF-10 parcels, or approximately 1,174 acres, in the two neighborhoods.

Because the downzoning would create an abundance of nonconforming SF-20 lots, the issue was referred back to the Department of Planning for further study.

That study was completed over the summer.

City staff has since met with the Mount Lookout Community Council (MLCC), which held public meetings on the matter in November.

Residents at the meeting overwhelmingly supported the downzoning, and the MLCC is likely to vote on the proposal at their next meeting.

A "yes" vote could jumpstart the zoning change process.

The City has not received a response from the Hyde Park Community Council.

Mount Lookout zoning maps are available on the MLCC website.