The Columbus Planning Commission has approved a request to rezone a section of The Island for the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater.
The recommendation will go before the Columbus City Council on Jan. 5 for approval.
The commission voted 5-0 on the matter Monday. City engineer and Neel-Schaffer vice president Kevin Stafford, who serves on the commission, recused himself from the rezoning vote due to his involvement with the project.
The proposed rezoning would change a 4.7 acre parcel of land on the south side of Island Road from an “A-1 agricultural district” to a “C-3 highway commercial” zone. The rezoning includes permitted use for the amphitheater.
“In the chart of permitted uses, an amphitheater is allowed in C-3 highway commercial district with planning approval,” said city building inspector Kenny Wiegel. “It’s not allowed at all in A-1 but it is in C-3 and an industrial district.”
Preliminary work at the site of the amphitheater has already begun. Neel-Schaffer began clearing trees in the fall, with plans to move on to preliminary dirt work before construction begins next year.
A groundbreaking for the amphitheater is scheduled for Wednesday.
Stafford previously told the city council the amphitheater would cost about $3 million. It will take up approximately three acres on The Island and include a grassy seating area for about 1,500 people and permanent seats for another 1,500.
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