Council likely to amend Banks PD

Although it won't affect the development, Cincinnati City Council is likely to amend the planned development district (PD-43) for the Banks.

This action is being taken as the result of a letter from Joseph Trauth Jr. - on behalf of several downtown property owners - to City Planning Commission Chairman Caleb Faux pointing out a discrepancy between the Banks master development agreement and PD-43.

While the master development agreement was amended to impose a height limit of 20 leasable floors and up to 4 floors of parking, PD-43 still allows for a maximum height of 30 floors.

City Council voted to approve both documents at the same meeting in early November.

On December 7, the City Planning Commission took the letter into consideration and directed its staff to initiate a formal zone change process to make the two agreements consistent.

Council's Economic Development Committee has not yet added this item to its agenda. Its next meeting is January 29.

This amendment would be a mere technicality because, upon approval, planned development districts become part of the Cincinnati Zoning Code. Developers in planned development districts are required to have their final development plans approved by both the City Planning Commission and City Council.

Because the City has this final say before granting approval and issuing permits, they would have automatically denied any plans with buildings over 24 floors as a violation of the master development agreement.

Previous reading on BC:
PC to discuss Banks height limits (12/6/07)
Banks: 24 floors, or 30? (11/19/07)
Dumbest opinion piece ever (11/12/07)
Banks agreements online (11/7/07)
OTR Foundation: Why it is the wrong time for the Banks (11/6/07)