By Hannah Poling
Staff Writer
Rezoning of property for multifamily housing was discussed at the May meeting of the Westland Area Commissioners.
Joe Thomas, director of development at Metro Development LLC, attended the meeting to present the zoning requests for the property at 4300 Alkire Road in Columbus that would allow multifamily residential housing.
The triangular-shaped property is over six acres in size. Metro Development LLC plans to build a housing community made up of one and two-bedroom apartment units ranging from $1,100 to $1,400 plus utilities. The community will also include amenities such as a pool, community center, and a gym for its residents.
Thomas requested four variances to be approved on the project. To reduce the setback for the meter building from 50 feet to 15 feet, to reduce the setback from 270 from 25 feet to five feet, to reduce the perimeter yard on the western side of the property from 25 feet to 15 feet, and to increase the height of the garages from 15 feet to 16 feet.
The commission voted 9-1 in approval of the variances requested by Metro Development LLC and 9-1 in approval of the zoning request.
According to Thomas, the project is currently in the process of being annexed into the city of Columbus for future utility connection. The project in total is expected to cost approximately $18 million dollars to build. They hope to begin construction early next year and to have the first unit available in August 2024.
Maryellen O’Shaughnessy from the Franklin County Clerk of Courts also attended the meeting to introduce herself to the new commissioners.
O’Shaughnessy is serving her fourth four-year term as Franklin County Clerk of Common Pleas and 10th District Court of Appeals Courts. Previous to her election to the post, she served for 11 years on Columbus City Council.
According to O’Shaughnessy, in her position, she oversees 200 deputy clerks who serve in nine different locations throughout Franklin County. The office has five divisions: Administration, Fiscal Services, Information Technology, the Legal Division, and the Auto Title Division, which includes four locations throughout Franklin County.
O’Shaughnessy told the commissioners and attendees that in her position she doesn’t work for the judges, a common misconception, she works for the people.
“I work for you. I make sure that you have access to the documents that you need to settle your affairs,” O’Shaughnessy said.
