By Dominic DeGrinney, Staff Writer

Last Tuesday, Cincinnati City Council approved a petition to rezone a 1.78-acre project site, allowing development group HPSRD LLC move forward with their plan to redevelop the area despite neighborhood leader’s concerns.

One of the developers involved with the project, PLK Communities, submitted the petition last year. The now-approved petition redesignates the site of the planned Hyde Park Square project from Community Neighborhood-Pedestrian-Business into Planned Development. This redesignation allows the developers to bypass the former zoning law to begin the planning and construction of their buildings.

The new Hyde Park Square development will consist of mixed-use residential and commercial housing, expanding the current function of the location. The new development will also include a hotel. These proposed buildings would be above the previous 50-foot height restriction imposed by local zones. 

HPSRD LLC states that the 94-foot hotel and 85-foot residential buildings would be larger than most surrounding buildings. PLK Communities states that other buildings are already exceptions to the zoning code, including their existing L’aigle building at 65 feet, which is designated a historic landmark.

Another point of contention between the two camps, stands the potential issue of increased congestion and foot traffic from the new building.

“This oversized project will add to the Square’s existing traffic congestion, increase the already serious pedestrian safety issues and take up (and possibly remove) crucial on-street metered parking vital to the existing small businesses,” Save Hyde Park Square said.

In response to these issues, the city’s Department of Transportation and Engineering reviewed a study organized by third-party firm Bayer Becker, which stated that the development would have a minimal impact on existing traffic conditions. The developers also claim that their public parking garage would increase the amount of available parking spaces for local businesses. 

“We’ve recognized from the beginning that traffic congestion is a significant concern in the area, even without our project. We’ve been transparent with the community about these challenges and are open to being part of broader, long-term solutions,” Chief Development officer of PLK Communities Nick Lingenfelter said.

At the Equitable Growth Committee conference where the zoning change was approved, constituents addressed the council about their concerns. Opponents of the project included a mayoral candidate for the next election, and half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, Cory Bowman. Bowman warned the council to not ‘place special interest above the community,’ or else their only recourse would be to ‘vote you out of office.’

While many residents of Hyde Park did take the time to speak out against the project, there were also those who stated that they believe the opposition is a vocal minority.