LAND REVIEW COMMISSION; SALE AND LEASE OF CITY-OWNED REALTY

Columbus City Codes tit. 3, ch. 328

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 328.01 Land review commission.

328.01 - Land review commission. (a) There is hereby created a commission to be known and designated as the "land review commission." (b) Unless otherwise specifically authorized by ordinance, no department, office, board or commission shall offer for sale any city right-of-way without seeking the approval for such action from the land review commission. The recommendation from the land review commission to approve the sale must accompany the proposed ordinance to authorize the sale of right-of-way submitted to council, together with a statement describing the specific action desired by council, the location and description and proposed use of the particular city right-of-way and the specific reasons for the request. (c) The land review commission, upon receipt of a written proposal from the director of the department of development or designee for the sale of real property owned by the city, other than city right-of-way, may offer recommendations to the city council pertaining to the offer for sale. (d) Any real property sold as a part of a specific program authorized by city council is exempt from review by the land review commission. (Ord. No. 1687-2025, §§ 15, 16, 6-30-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 328.03 Duties.

328.03 - Duties. The duties of the "land review commission" shall be as follows: (a) To receive written proposals for the sale of city right-of-way in accordance with Section 328.01. (b) To review proposals for the sale of city right-of-way in accordance with Section 328.01, giving due consideration to relevant factors, including, but not limited to: (1) Appropriateness of the transaction affecting the particular property in light of current or future city objectives or needs; (2) The proposed development and use of the particular real property; (3) Fair market value estimate for the subject property; and (4) Mitigating circumstances identified by the city which provide a public benefit and that could result in the reduction or elimination of the purchase price for the property to be sold. (c) To recommend the means by which the subject property would be sold, whether bid or otherwise, where appropriate. (d) To recommend actions to be taken by the department, officer, board or commission prior to seeking authority from council to offer for sale real property. (e) To advise the administration and city council in matters relating to the offer for sale of real property and any development associated therewith. (f) To make recommendations from time to time to the city council on desirable legislation concerning the sale of interest in real property. (g) To provide for regular and special meetings at which written proposals and other matters relating to the duties of the land review commission may be discussed and considered by members of the commission, officers and personnel of the city, and other persons invited by the commission to attend a regular or special meeting because of their interest in a specific matter under consideration. (h) To receive assignments from the mayor or city council for study, consideration and recommendation regarding any problems confronting the city concerning transactions affecting real property or interests therein. (i) To exercise such other powers, authority and duties granted to it by ordinances or resolutions of council. (j) To make, modify, change and promulgate such rules, policies and procedures as in its discretion are deemed necessary for the orderly and efficient operation of the duties set forth above. (Ord. No. 1687-2025, §§ 15, 16, 6-30-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 328.04 Sale of city-owned realty.

328.04 - Sale of city-owned realty. (a) Unless specifically authorized by ordinance and in accordance with Section 215.09, no city department shall offer for sale any city owned real property. Sale of city owned real property, except right-of-way, which has been declared surplus property or designated for use for development purposes by the director of the department of development or designee shall be advertised for sale by the director of the department of development or designee by a competitive process, except as otherwise provided herein, under such terms and conditions established by the director of the department of development and advertised publicly for a period of no less than fourteen (14) days. (b) Property may be sold, without a competitive process, to the United States of America; the State of Ohio; any subdivision or agency of the United States or the State of Ohio; a new community authority organized under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 349; a port authority organized under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4582; a community improvement corporation organized under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1724; or to a nonprofit corporation as defined under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1702, organized for a public or charitable purpose; provided, however, that property may be sold to a nonprofit corporation as defined under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1702 organized for a public or charitable purpose only if the director of the department of development determines that the following criteria are satisfied: (1) The corporation or its parent corporation has been in active corporate existence for a consecutive period of not less than five (5) years; (2) The corporation is organized as a nonprofit corporation as defined under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1702; (3) The corporation or its parent corporation has sufficient capitalization and financial resources, as demonstrated by the corporation's previous three (3) years of IRS Form 990s or similar regulatory filing, to achieve the goal of timely creating more affordable housing in the City of Columbus; and (4) Other similar criteria as established by rules promulgated by the director of the department of development. (c) No property shall be conveyed until city council has approved the conveyance and terms of the sale by ordinance. (d) This section shall not apply to sales of real property acquired as part of a land reutilization program as defined under Chapter 5722 of the Ohio Revised Code or accepted into the land reutilization program by ordinance. (e) For purposes of this Section, "parent corporation" shall mean a nonprofit corporation organized under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1702 that fully and directly owns and controls the nonprofit corporation described in Section 328.04(b). (f) The requirements of this Section may be waived by majority vote of city council. (Ord. No. 1687-2025, §§ 15, 16, 6-30-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 328.05 Easements and lease of city-owned realty.

328.05 - Easements and lease of city-owned realty. Except as provided elsewhere in Columbus City Codes, the division of real estate and land redevelopment of the department of development shall be responsible for granting and administering any lease, license, sublease, right of entry, and authorizing the grant of easement rights for any real property, except right-of-way, owned by the city. Any lease, license, sublease, or easement shall require approval by the City Attorney's Office and authorization by ordinance of council, except that the division may enter into leases, licenses, and subleases for one (1) year or less for properties in the land reutilization program without authorization by council. In carrying out these duties, the division of real estate and land redevelopment shall consult any department(s) impacted by the lease, license, sublease, or easement; provided, however, that the division of real estate and land redevelopment shall have authority to make the decision as between the departments, boards, commissions, offices, or similar city agency, as applicable, regarding granting and administration of said lease, license, sublease, or easement. Nothing in this Chapter shall be interpreted to abrogate the authority of the Recreation and Parks Commission as described in Sections 128 and 129 of the City Charter. (Ord. No. 1687-2025, §§ 15, 16, 6-30-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 328.06 Contracts for leasing of space and installation of automatic commercially owned vending machines.

328.06 - Contracts for leasing of space and installation of automatic commercially owned vending machines. The appointing authorities of the city of Columbus are hereby authorized with concurrence of the director of the department of development to enter into contract, or contracts from time to time for the leasing of space and installation of commercially owned automatic vending machines in public buildings owned or leased by the city. Each such contract shall contain provisions that achieve the following: (1) The contractor shall save the city harmless from any liability resulting from the installation and operation of such vending machine; (2) The city will have no direct financial obligation under the contract; (3) The city, through the appointing authority, may designate the number, type, location and contents of any machine placed on property owned or leased by the city; (4) The city may terminate the contract upon fifteen (15) days written notice mailed to the other contracting party's address; (5) Such other items as the appointing authority deems necessary or desirable to protect the city of Columbus; and (6) Commissions received from commercially owned vending machines shall be promptly and directly paid to the city treasurer and credited to the appropriate operating fund of the various divisions in the contracting departments. (Ord. No. 1687-2025, §§ 15, 16, 6-30-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 328.07 Provisions for granting of space and utilities for the installation and operation of machines or equipment other than automatic commercially owned vending machines.

328.07 - Provisions for granting of space and utilities for the installation and operation of machines or equipment other than automatic commercially owned vending machines. The appointing authorities of the city of Columbus are authorized with concurrence of the director of development to approve or disapprove the location and operation of machines or equipment which are owned and operated by employees of the city of Columbus for the purposes of storing food and/or non-alcoholic beverages or for making coffee, tea, or instant beverages or food. These machines will be limited to a refrigerator or other similar type of hot or cold storage machine, microwave ovens, coffee makers, hot plates, electric teakettle and/or toaster. All of these machines are to be for the exclusive use of employees and are not intended or anticipated to produce a profit. The items referred to above are for the convenience of the employees and are intended for use during breaks and/or lunch periods. There shall be no charge for the space or the utilities used in the operation of such machines or equipment. (Ord. No. 1687-2025, §§ 15, 16, 6-30-2025)

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=TIT3FITACO_CH328LARECOSALECINEREFetched: 10/27/2026