Part of the Worthington Together Speaker Series on Economic Development held on October 27, 2025 | Worthington City Hall
When asked what makes comprehensive plans successful, Matt McCollister of One Columbus was direct: "You have to have a strategic plan, you have to have community buy-in, and you have to have the guts to stick to the plan."
This advice—emphasizing implementation courage as much as planning quality—emerged as a central theme of Monday's Economic Development Speaker Series.
The Vicious Cycle Warning
McCollister warned against communities that create plans but never implement them:
"We've had some communities that did a plan and then put it on the shelf, they got dusty, and they decided they were just gonna do another plan. And that's a vicious cycle that doesn't really serve anybody, I don't think, honestly."
Why do plans fail to implement? Politics change. Opposition emerges. Implementation requires hard decisions that planning avoids.
Communities that overcome these obstacles see results. Those that don't waste resources on repeated planning exercises while losing credibility with residents and developers alike.
What Makes Plans Successful
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Clear Vision with Community Buy-In
"It's a very interactive process with the community," Ashley Solether of ULI Columbus said. "I think the most successful ones have a really clear vision and clear key points that are important to the community."
The planning process must genuinely engage residents—not just check boxes.
Transparent Processes with Clear Standards
"If the planning process is difficult... investors or developers are just less likely to develop in that community," Solether observed.
When design standards are clear upfront, quality developers know whether projects will succeed. Trust builds between all parties. Approval processes move efficiently.
"Having a good set of design standards in zoning really helps new development or redevelopment kind of fit into the character of the community," she explained.
Consensus, Not Unanimity
"Get some consensus," McCollister advised. "I say consensus, not 100% agreement... but as long as you have consensus, you can move forward."
Perfect agreement is impossible. Broad consensus—reached through genuine engagement—creates foundation for implementation.
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The Transportation Challenge
Perhaps no topic generated more audience questions than transportation. With 500,000+ additional residents projected for Central Ohio, concerns about infrastructure are urgent.
Columbus is the largest U.S. metro area without commuter rail. Areas significantly smaller have established rail systems.
LinkUS—The Next Step: Panelists identified this Bus Rapid Transit system as critical. It would feature raised platforms, larger buses, and dedicated lanes for reliability.
"I think that's gonna hopefully get us on track to where we can support rail at some point," McCollister said. "Maybe if we have the dedicated lanes for LinkUS, that's gonna get people into the mode of using that transportation."
Amtrak Possibility: A proposed connection linking Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Chicago could expand the regional workforce significantly—though McCollister noted it's "quite a ways away."
Local Solutions Matter: Joe Hayek noted the bike trail leading to Worthington Enterprises' office as an amenity employees value. Walkable environments, bike infrastructure, and pedestrian-oriented development complement regional systems while providing immediate benefits.
Worthington's Current Advantage—And Its Limits
Hayek highlighted Worthington's location strength: "Fifteen minutes from the airport, 15-20 minutes from downtown, convenient to suburbs."
But as regional growth continues and traffic increases, that advantage could erode without strategic investments.
Density and Scale
When asked about appropriate density, Solether's response: "Density must be done within scale."
There's no single "right" density. Context matters:
- Higher density may fit near commercial corridors
- Transitional density buffers between high and low intensity areas
- Established neighborhoods maintain lower density
Planners avoid placing high-rises immediately adjacent to single-family homes. Thoughtful transitions create appropriate relationships.
The Zone-In Example
Columbus's recent zoning code update offers a model. Collinsworth explained: "If you hit this target in terms of the nature and the type of development that we want to see, you'll get a faster yes."
Projects matching community vision get streamlined approval. Off-target projects face longer timelines. Clear expectations benefit everyone.
Thinking Differently
Joe Hayek offered perspective on balancing heritage with evolution:
"It's okay to be proud of who you are and where you came from... but don't be afraid to think differently. Thinking differently, and if you do it well, often lets you become thought of differently and thought of in a different light."
This doesn't mean abandoning Worthington's character. It means being intentional about the future while honoring the past.
Final Advice from Panelists
Joe Hayek: "Lean in, understand what the comprehensive plan is and what it isn't. Don't be afraid to think differently and to understand that the next 25 years will not just be a function of the last 25 years."
Ashley Solether: "Be engaged. Change is scary, but you're working on this comp plan that is going to have a plan for this potential change. And when you have a plan for it, that hopefully makes it not so scary."
Matt McCollister: "Think about the diversity you want in the community as it relates to the mix of employers. This is where you can be aspirational... listen as well as engage."
The Choice
Change will come to Worthington whether planned or unplanned. Regional growth creates both pressure and opportunity.
The comprehensive plan process offers structure to make intentional choices—creating clear pathways for development that serves community goals while preserving the character residents value.
But only if the community has the guts to stick to the plan.
Give your input and feedback on the Worthington Together Community Choices page! Please provide your input by December 19, 2025.