Comprehensive Plan - Worthington, Ohio

The Municipal Planning Commission voted to recommend the Worthington Together comprehensive plan for approval, sending it to City Council, which begins its own hearings October 19.

Residents pressed the Municipal Planning Commission on building heights near Wilson Bridge Road and the meaning of "historic," while the vice-chair warned that the plan's land-use maps say more than the city intends. Linworth is getting its own section.

The draft comprehensive plan drew concerns about ten-story buildings near Wilson Bridge Road, a warning that the plan's own maps overreach into residential blocks, and a decision to give Linworth its own section.

Planners laid out height ranges up to 10 stories for the Wilson Bridge corridor, prompting council to ask whether design oversight should expand there — and a longer debate over what 'historic character' should mean outside Old Worthington.

The draft comprehensive plan had no section for West Worthington or Linworth. Colleagues largely agreed, city staff explained why it was left out, and a plan emerged to add it before adoption.

The Worthington Together draft plan reached council with guidance on building heights, housing options, five opportunity areas, and a newly promised section on West Worthington and Linworth. Public comment opens July 23.

Council gets its first full look at the Worthington Together comprehensive plan draft — building heights, new housing options, and a promised West Worthington section — plus four charter measures headed toward the November ballot.

The 190-page draft that will guide Worthington's next 10-15 years, from a 1971 zoning code rewrite to five redevelopment areas with heights up to 10 stories and a 1,300-unit housing target. Public comment opens July 23 before the Municipal Planning Commission.

The comprehensive planning process enters its third and final engagement round, with an in-person open house May 13, a virtual meeting May 20, and an online survey open through June 3.