The plan was initiated at the request of the Schumacher Place Civic Association and the Merion Village Association. A Working Committee consisting of stakeholders was formed and met monthly from November 2006 to August 2007 to provide input and guidance. Additional meetings were held with stakeholders, including property owners and other representatives, for a public workshop to develop various potential land use ideas for Barrett Middle School and Beck Elementary School.

 The existing adopted plans including The South Side Plan and the Greater Parsons Avenue Area Vision Plan were referred to various stages to ensure cohesive development recommendations.

A complete draft plan was formed in the summer of 2007. An open house was held in October 2007 to allow for broader public input. The plan was recommended for consideration of City Council by the Merion Village Association and the Schumacher Place Civic Association on November 7, 2007.

KEY COMMENDATIONS

Commercial and Mixed Use Development

• Commercial and mixed use design standards in addition to existing Urban Commercial Overlay (UCO) standards are recommended for new developments and potential redevelopments.
•  The plan recognizes the mix of residential and commercial land uses on the commercial corridors and recommends new mixed use development.
•  The UCO is recommended for the portion of Livingston Avenue in the planning area.
•  Mixed use buildings with strong architectural character and presence are recommended for southwest corner of Parsons and Livingston Avenue intersection.

Residential Development

• The plan recommends infill development standards to ensure compatibility with existing historic structures.

Key Opportunity Sites

• Different concepts for possible adaptive reuse for historic school buildings are presented in collaboration with Columbus Public Schools and the community.

Barrett Middle School
The first concept for Barrett Middle School is an Artist Live/Work center accommodating studio and performance space for artists. Another concept includes residential spaces for active seniors. In both cases the current open space is recommended to be preserved for community purposes.

Beck Urban Academy
The first concept for Beck Urban Academy recommends reuse of the existing school building as an upscale Bed and Breakfast supporting major employment centers around the planning area. The second concept includes a mixed-use project with small scale commercial uses with office and residential components. The current open space is recommended to be preserved for community purposes.

Implmentation

• Plan implemenatation is recommeded through the use of a development review checklist for zoning and variance applications to ensure consistency with the plan and a chart of action oriented recommendations to assist with the prioritization of plan recommendations.

Southside Plan Merion Village and Schumacher Place Amendment