Columbus City Council approved a council variance (CV24-156) for 1243 Manor Dr., permitting construction of a two-unit dwelling on a 0.20-acre parcel in the R-1 Residential District. The R-1 district allows only single-family homes, necessitating the variance to enable this higher-density use. The property is currently undeveloped and is owned by the City of Columbus Land Bank. Although the proposal exceeds the Far East Land Use Plan’s recommended density of under 4 dwelling units per acre, city planning staff supported the project due to its alignment with the Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines and the aesthetic consistency with neighboring housing. The Far East Area Commission also recommended approval. The ordinance requires the project to adhere to the submitted site plan dated March 10, 2025.
This variance expands affordable housing options on publicly owned infill land and introduces gentle density in a neighborhood with increasing demand for diverse residential formats, while maintaining design compatibility with its surroundings.