The Columbus Zoning Committee approved a variance for an 8.51-acre property at 175 Hutchinson Ave., currently developed with a hotel in a Commercial Planned Development (CPD) District. The variance allows for the adaptive reuse of the hotel into a multi-unit residential development with up to 306 dwelling units. It specifically permits ground-floor residential uses, which are normally prohibited in the CPD district. Additionally, the variance reduces the required number of parking spaces from 823 to 558 to accommodate the new use. City staff recommended approval, acknowledging that while the residential use is inconsistent with the Far North Area Plan's 'Employment Center' designation, the project's adaptive reuse of an existing structure and its compatibility with adjacent high-density residential areas were significant mitigating factors. The decision aligns with the city's priority of increasing housing availability.