On Monday, June 26th 2023 at 6:30 PM the Columbus City Council met to vote on the ordinance #0184-2023. This would have allowed the rezoning of 1555 McNaughten Road to permit a developer to build an apartment complex of 126 units. The area is currently zoned to permit construction of single family homes - not apartment complexes.
I attended the meeting. Three citizens spoke against the ordinance (meaning they didn't want another apartment complex in their neighborhood), and they were all very well informed and well-spoken. Three spoke in favor of the ordinance, their statements generally consisting of the fact that they, personally, had no objection to another apartment complex being built.
Then the city council members got their turn at the microphone.
I'm 70 years old and am generally aware of politics and current events, and I have never in all my years heard so many people speak for such a long time and say absolutely nothing. I'd like to say that Hardin was the worst, which is to say the longest winded and most elusive, but each council member was very accomplished in their own special way. I think two began their speech by stating that this was an especially challenging decision... and it wasn't. So, one at a time, they blathered and bloviated - except for one.
One man spoke plainly and with conviction. Mitchell J. Brown voted against the ordinance and stated his reasons in plain words. He didn't ramble, he didn't prevaricate. He said, 'No!' in plain English.
Now after Mr. Brown ended his short speech, the council voted.
Voting Yes were Nicholas J. Bankston and Shannon G. Hardin, Council President.
Voting No were:
Rob Dorans, President Pro Tem, Chair of the Building and Zoning Policy
The councilman to watch is Mitchell J. Brown. He's lived in the McNaughten Road area for over 30 years, and he's well aware of the way this world really works.
My thanks to the councilmen and women who made a wise decision to vote against rezoning.
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