Cincinnati Council Greenlights Development Zoning Change for Hyde Park Square

The proposals for a contentious development in Hyde Park Square have been approved by the Cincinnati city council.

After four hours allocated for public commentary on Tuesday , the council finally gave approval to the zoning amendments on Wednesday, allowing developers to proceed with their plans.

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The present layout of the project encompasses a chic hotel, residential units, and subterranean car parks.

On Wednesday, the council members voted 7 to 2 to move the project ahead.

Prior to casting their votes, the council members listened for an additional hour to comments from residents of Hyde Park. These individuals reiterated their appeals to the council regarding their worries.

Molly Henning, who resides in Hyde Park, mentioned that during various meetings with some of you, people expressed concerns about how developers can be problematic.

On Wednesday, critics of the proposal raised concerns about the hotel part of the plan, arguing that it was an excessively big structure which would not address the demand for housing.

The seven council members backing the proposal stated that the numerous individuals residing in both the apartments and the hotel would contribute daily revenue to local enterprises. They also contended that this initiative bolsters the municipality’s tax foundation.

Councilmember Mark Jeffreys stated, 'However, we require various types of housing. It is essential to have individuals earning $150,000 residing in our city so that we can fund gap financing for affordable housing.'

Councilmember Scotty Johnson stated, 'It’s unaffordable at $3,600 per month. If your rent is that high, you should consider buying a home instead. Essentially, we’re discussing modifications for what amounts to a hotel stay, all under the pretense of needing additional housing.'

With the official approval of the zoning regulations by the city council, work on the project can finally start, though it is anticipated to span multiple years.

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READ THE FULL STORY: The Cincinnati city council approves a rezoning initiative for development in Hyde Park Square.

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