A
historic home in northwest Columbus has been demolished to make way for nearly 200 apartment units, sparking renewed opposition from locals who took to social media to express their discontent over the loss of homes and trees. The "Rock Run" stone colonial, built in 1930 at 4723 Dublin Road, had served as an event venue owned by the same family for 50 years.

    The 6.7-acre property, described as beautifully landscaped and secluded, featured a tennis/pickleball court, heated pool, and a kitchen showcased in Bon Appetit magazine. The Bell Family Trust transferred ownership to a limited liability company in early 2023. Columbus City Council approved rezoning the parcel from rural to apartment residential in June despite significant public pushback.

    Council Zoning Committee Chair Rob Dorans argued that Columbus is underdeveloped for housing, citing a regional housing crisis driven by an imbalance between supply and demand. Opponents had expressed concerns about the higher density of the complex in a neighborhood of ranch-style homes, but the developer revised plans to reduce the scale from 256 units to 192.

    The area has seen limited growth, with only 29 new units added over the past 25 years, despite households having a median income 70% higher than the citywide average. The applicant made further changes, including preserving more trees and increasing parking, which helped alleviate some concerns.