All seven members of Columbus City Council voted in favor this evening to rezone the old Cooper Stadium ballpark for the development of the Cooper Park Complex auto racetrack project. This development is one that has been extensively debated and several amendments were included to the rezoning legislation to address community issues with the project.
A noise-reducing sound wall is required for the racetrack, and regular inspections will be conducted to enforce compliance with sound levels. The Board of Zoning Adjustments will also have the ability to limit the times and dates of all spectator events at the facility.
“We have received hundreds of e-mails, dozens of phone calls, held public hearings and realize that this is still an issue that divides many in the community,” said A. Troy Miller, chair of the Zoning Committee in a press release. “We believe that the amendments offered this evening will strengthen the zoning application, giving the BZA the ability to better to monitor and regulate events at the site, ensuring the development will be a good neighbor, not just in word, but in action.”
The Cooper Park Complex is a $40-million mixed-use entertainment facility that will create an estimated 300 jobs, an automotive research facility and include restaurants and meeting space.
Ongoing discussion and debate on the Cooper Park Complex can be found on the Columbus Underground Messageboard.
More information about the redevelopment proposal can be found online at www.CooperParkComplex.com.