The City of Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department is inviting residents to learn more about and comment on an update to the city’s zoning ordinance at a public open house Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Cal Brand Meeting Hall at City Hall.

The draft revisions stem from a multi-year review of local housing needs and zoning regulations. Both the Planning Department and a consultant involved in the 2024 City of Columbus Housing Study reached similar conclusions: Columbus’ zoning rules are not preventing new housing construction, but they could do more to allow a wider range of housing types, especially the “missing middle” homes that often fill the affordability gap between single-family houses and large apartment complexes.

That includes duplexes, triplexes and small multi-unit buildings, which can offer attainable, market-based options for both renters and homebuyers. The Housing Study also found that the city will need to accommodate increased density in order to meet projected housing demand.

To help achieve those goals, the Planning Department has drafted updates that broaden where various housing types can be built, reduce minimum lot sizes and living area requirements, and introduce select design standards intended to help new development remain in context with existing neighborhoods and avoid subjective approval processes.

Additional materials provide proposed updates to parking standards, permitting processes, definitions and subdivision rules. All draft documents, along with the online comment form, are available at https://www.columbus.in.gov/planning/columbus-current-projects/.

Residents are encouraged to attend the open house to ask questions and share feedback. Comments may also be sent directly to Planning staff at jboshell@columbus.in.gov or jbergman@columbus.in.gov.