City Planning and Engagement

 

 

Background

In September 2022, Council Member Mark Jeffreys introduced legislation to amend certain zoning code provisions governing development in the DD, “Downtown Development,” zoning district to study the potential impacts of surface parking lots and make recommendations for potential zoning code text amendments. On September 15, 2022, City Manager Sheryl M. M. Long directed the Department of City Planning and Engagement (DCPE) to conduct a zoning study and propose an Interim Development Control (IDC) Overlay District over the Downtown Development zoning district for the duration of the study. As a result of the zoning study, DCPE staff recommended to prohibit new surface parking lots, except to allow temporary parking lots for up to seven years. Additional landscaping requirements would be required for the temporary surface parking lots, including planting one tree for every four parking spaces, adding plant buffers to break up large parking lots, and applying heat reflective surfacing.

On January 5, 2024, The City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve and forward the text amendment recommendations to City Council after considering the findings of the zoning study; the relationship of the proposed text amendments to the comprehensive plans of the city and of the affected community; and the effect of the proposed designation on the surrounding areas and economic development plans of the city. 

• Staff report with Zoning Study and Text Amendments recommended for approval by the City Planning Commission on January, 5, 2024

 

Location

The study area for the zoning study includes all properties zoned Downtown Development (DD). This area encompassing most of Downtown and parts of East End, Mount Adams, Mount Auburn, Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine, and West End neighborhoods. (see map below).

 

Past Public Meetings

• Initial Zoning Study Engagement Meeting
  August 2, 2023 at 5:00pm

• Public Staff Conference
  November 8, 2023 at 4:00pm

• City Planning Commission
  November 17, 2023 at 9:00am 

  • Staff recommendations approved. Ordinance being drafted for January 5, 2024 City Planning Commission meeting.

• City Planning Commission
  January 5, 2024 at 9:00am 

  • Staff recommended text amendments recommended for approval to City Council.

• Equitable Growth & Housing Committee
  January 30, 2024 at 1:00pm

 

Related Materials

• Staff report and ordinance recommended for approval by the City Planning Commission on 1/5/24

• Council Member Mark Jeffreys original Ordinance with Proposed Text Amendments to the Zoning Code related to Surface Parking in the Downtown Development District

• Staff report on Zoning Study and Recommendations at the November 17 Planning Commission Meeting (Item 1)

• Zoning Study Summary - 12/1/2023

• Nine-month extension documentation of IDC No. 88:

  • Ordinance Transmittal to City Council for October 26, 2022 meeting, including staff report and exhibits

  • Signed Ordinance extending IDC No. 88 for additional nine months

  • Staff Report for the City Planning Commission on the Establishment of IDC #88 on September 16, 2022

    • Exhibit A - Location Map

    • Exhibit B - IDC Review Criteria

    • Exhibit C – IDC Directive

• Six-month Extension Documentation:

  • Staff Report for the 6 month extension of IDC 88 on July 21, 2023 City Planning Commission 

    • Exhibit A - Location Map

    • Exhibit B - IDC Review Criteria

    • Exhibit C – Existing Conditions

      • Map of s​urface parking regulations by subdistrict and existing surface parking lots

      • Map of new surface parking and redeveloped parking lots since 1996

• Environmental Impacts of Surface Parking Lots report to City Council (Office of Environment and Sustainability)

• Zoning Study Preliminary Findings Presentation - November 8, 2023

 

Contact

Maria Dienger, City Planner
maria.dienger@cincinnati-oh.gov | 513-352-4840