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STANDARDS FOR AREAS OF SPECIAL GRAPHICS CONTROL*

Columbus City Codes tit. 33, ch. 3380
in effect

Columbus City Codes § 3380.01 Areas of special graphics control.

3380.01 - Areas of special graphics control. Graphic standards and design specifications for each area of special graphics control, as provided for in C.C. 3375.03(D), shall be included within this chapter as they are established and adopted by city council. A. Procedure. Creation of an area of special graphics control shall result only from a planning process for such area which culminates in a plan adopted by city council, and may include any planning overlay, historic, scenic or cultural area so designated. B. Plan. The plan shall clearly describe the planning area and explain its special or unique characteristics. The plan shall delineate the goals and objectives for the area and the necessity for special graphic standards and design specifications to address the area's uniqueness. Development guidelines shall be designed to meet its objectives and shall be used to codify its standards. The graphics commission and the development commission shall each hold a public hearing on the plan prior to its submission to council. C. Creation by Council. Prior to being filed with the city clerk, legislation to create an area of special graphics control shall be considered by the graphics commission and the development commission at regularly scheduled public hearings. The plan and the ordinance for adoption of the plan and creation of an area of special graphics control may be considered at the same public hearing. Notice shall be published in the city bulletin at least ten days before any hearing and shall be sent in accordance with C.C. 3310.05(c). Additionally, representatives of the sign industry and of area businesses shall be notified. The department shall forward both development and graphics commission's recommendations with the legislation to council. When approved by council at the conclusion of this procedure, the creation of the individual special graphics control area and establishment of standards and design specifications for graphics therein, shall be enacted into this chapter. (Ord. 2837-96 § 8 (part); Ord. No. 0455-2010, § 91, 4-5-2010)

Columbus City Codes § 3380.102 I-670 area of special graphics control.

3380.102 - I-670 area of special graphics control. A. Purpose. The I-670 area of special control is established and the regulations therefore are enacted to conform to and implement I-670 corridor development plan guidelines, adopted by Ordinance 40-89, in achieving two of the plan's objectives: 1. Development opportunities that enhance the I-670 corridor community, both physically and through the creation of jobs and business-ownership opportunities for the residents; and 2. An attractive greenbelt/entryway to the downtown from the airport. B. Establishment. Portions of the I-670 corridor as hereinafter set forth are hereby established as an area of special graphics control. The I-670 area of special graphics control shall include the John Glenn Columbus International Airport property and extend 2,000 feet perpendicularly from the outermost edges of the public right-of-way and in all directions at the termini of each of the following sections of the area: 1. Interstate-670: Being the Interstate-670 portion of the Interstate System lying between Interstate-270 (I-270) in the northeast quadrant of Columbus and High Street in the downtown including the northern and southern loops at Interstate-71 (I-71) and being altogether referred to herein as I-670. 2. I-670 Entrance and Exit Ramps: Being all limited access ramps entering and exiting I-670 as described in (1) above. 3. Airport Connector Boulevard: Being all limited access street and ramps connecting Stelzer Road and Cassady Avenue and providing a north and south entrance and exit to and from I-670 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. 4. Stelzer Road: Being that portion of the Stelzer Road lying between I-670 on the north and Eleventh Avenue on the south. The I-670 area of special graphics control shall be composed of Parts 1 and 2 each with different levels of regulation. The John Glenn Columbus International Airport property and 1,000 feet abutting the public rights-of-way as set forth in subsection (B)(1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section shall constitute Part 1. One thousand feet abutting that portion of Part 1 that applies to I-670, the I-670 entrance and exit ramps, the Airport Connector Boulevard and Stelzer Road as set forth in subsection (B)(1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section shall constitute Part 2. C. Intent. The establishment of the I-670 area of special graphics control and the prohibition of billboards therein is intended to: 1. Create and maintain an attractive greenbelt/entryway from John Glenn Columbus International Airport to the downtown; 2. Provide for appropriate accessory signs for the identification and encouragement of economic development in the I-670 corridor; 3. Discourage excessive visual competition and clutter that result from a proliferation of billboards; 4. Promote the public convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare; 5. Increase the attractiveness of the I-670 corridor to businesses, residents, visitors and tourists thereby promoting the area's economy; 6. Protect the public investment in the highway; and 7. Promote traffic safety by reducing distractions to drivers. D. Controls. No person shall erect a billboard or supporting structure therefore within Part 1 of the I-670 area of special graphics control, as set forth in subsection (B) above. No person shall erect a billboard or supporting structure therefore within Part 2 of the I-670 area of special graphics control, facing forward or designed or situated so as to be perceived at any time by the operator of a motor vehicle proceeding in any lawful direction within the rights-of-way of I-670, I-670 entrance and exit ramps, Airport Connector Boulevard or Stelzer Road as defined in subsection (B) above. E. Applicability. No provision of this section shall be construed to permit a billboard in any zoning district of location contrary to another provision of the Zoning Code or this Graphics Code. This section is not intended to repeal any other Zoning Code or Graphics Code billboard regulation with is not in conflict herewith. (Ord. 2837-96 § 8 (part); Ord. No. 1871-2023, § 1, 7-31-2023)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT33ZOCO_CH3380STARSPGRCOFetched: 10/27/2026

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