Convenience store, mini storage units among businesses looking to open in Columbus

Several rezoning requests have gone before the city’s Planning Advisory Committee this summer to allow for businesses to move, renovate old space or create new commercial ventures out of vacant land.

First, a veterinary office will be moving across Veterans Parkway to a new location if a zoning change is approved by Columbus Council this month.

Property owners have asked to rezone vacant property at 5377 Veterans Parkway from Neighborhood Commercial to General Commercial in order to move Northside Animal Clinic.

The planning department received one email in opposition of the rezoning due to the potential noise of dogs barking.

The Columbus Planning Advisory Committee voted July 15 to approve the rezoning, sending it to Columbus Council.

There were no comments on the rezoning during the first council reading on August 12. The rezoning is scheduled for a second council reading August 25, after which council will likely vote to approve the rezoning.

Potential developments

Two applications were denied by the Planning Advisory Committee.

The requests will go back to the planning department for their recommendation. If the planning department makes a recommendation for denial, the applicant will have 10 days to notify the Clerk of Council they would like to be placed on an upcoming council agenda.

The application must be approved by the planning department to automatically be sent to council.

Council will hold two public readings and vote to approve or deny the applications.

Storage units, office space on Veterans Parkway denied for now

The development group behind the Midland Commons project has proposed a 10-acre development along Veterans Parkway and Hancock Road for 100 mini storage units, office space and a potential convenience store.

JMC Flatrock Partners LLC appeared before the Columbus Planning Advisory Committee August 5 and asked for a rezoning of 21 parcels of land located together on Dekalb Drive, Hancock Road and Veterans Parkway. The rezoning would change the land from Single Family Residential 1 and Neighborhood Commercial zonings to a General Commercial zoning.

Marty Flournoy, on behalf of JMC Flatrock Partners LLC, told the committee that there is a demand for storage in the area and that the office space would be ideal for small businesses that are just starting up.

Will Johnson, planning division chief with the Columbus Planning Department, said his office had received close to 20 calls and emails in opposition of the development, which is on vacant land near residential areas.

Several residents of nearby neighborhoods such as Maple Ridge cited concerns of increased traffic, noise and light pollution.

The planning committee voted to recommend denial of the rezoning because the desired new zoning would be inconsistent with the general land use plan. The request could still be seen before council at a date to be determined.

Convenience store and gas station possible on 10th Avenue

Developers asked to have a parcel at the northeast corner of 10th Avenue and 17th Street to be rezoned to allow for a convenience store and gas station to be built.

The rezoning would take the parcel, which contains a former Synovus Bank branch, from Residential Office to a General Commercial zoning.

Rob McKenna, representing Amazing Development Partners LLC out of Atlanta, told the Columbus Planning Advisory Committee August 5 that Synovus no longer uses the branch.

Opponents of the rezoning, mostly nearby residents, cited potential increases in crime and traffic as reasons the convenience store should not be built. Nearby Piedmont Columbus Regional also wrote a letter to the planning department opposing the rezoning that would place a convenience store or liquor store so close to the emergency room and to a residential area.

The planning committee voted to recommend denial of the rezoning. The request could still be seen before council at a date to be determined.