City looks to trim zoning jurisdiction

The city of Columbus is making plans to pull back portions of its two-mile zoning authority, giving control back to Bartholomew County.

Under Indiana law, cities can extend their zoning control into areas outside of city limits, up to two miles. Those in that expanded area must seek approval from the city before making changes regulated by zoning ordinances such as land use, despite living in the county. The current zoning limits were put in place in 1999 and refined in 2000.

Next week, the Columbus Plan Commission will be considering two areas to draw back areas under its control, including the area around Otter Creek Golf Course, and to the Colony Parke and Oakcrest subdivisions in the Taylorsville area.

As of last year, Otter Creek is no longer owned by the city of Columbus, leading to the suggested change there, while the northern subdivisions were accidentally split between city and county control when the original boundary lines were drawn, leading to that suggested change.

The Columbus Plan Commission meets at 4 p.m. next Wednesday at Columbus City Hall and the meeting can be attended remotely.

Image courtesy of Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department.

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