Council rezones parts of OTR's Race St to aid mixed-use development

The rezoning of portions of Race Street in Over-the-Rhine not only will clear the way for two proposed developments, but will solidify its return to a walkable, mixed-use district.

Cincinnati City Council last Wednesday approved rezoning the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Race Street, the eastern side of the 1500 block of Race Street, 26 W Fifteenth Street and 1501 Republic Street from RM-1.2 Residential Multi-Family District to CC-P Commercial Community-Pedestrian District, allowing for more intensive uses such as animal services, banks, restaurants, funeral homes, and medical clinics.

Emanuel Community Center has proposed the construction of a four-story mixed-use building on a parking lot it owns at the corner of W Thirteenth and Race streets, and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing plans to renovate the ground floor space at 1501 Republic Street for retail or office use.

Neither use would have been permitted under the former zoning without variances or conditional uses.

In May 2010, City Council rezoned the 1400 blocks of Race and Republic streets from RM-1.2 to CC-P to aid the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation's (3CDC) Gateway Quarter development.

Previous reading on BC:
North Rhine Heights open for business in OTR (6/14/12)
Council supports state tax credits for redevelopment of 7 buildings (3/26/12)
Cincinnati leaders to visit Columbus, learn about supportive housing (8/23/10)
Race Street rezoning to restore mixed uses, walkability (5/24/10)
Dorff showcases City Home, OTR 'Star Award' winner (4/28/10)