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North Oak residents voice concerns over future development
Columbus City Council appointed Renee Long to the Place 4 City Council position after accepting the resignation of Michael Ridlen during its meeting, Monday, Jan. 12.
Long will serve in the position until May 11, 2026. Her seat along with Place 3 Councilmember Paige Sciba and Place 5 Chuck Rankin will be up for reelection or for a new candidate to join the council in the upcoming spring election. Long said she truly cares deeply for the Columbus community and is excited to serve.
“It’s just an honor to be able to serve our community in this capacity, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Long said.
Mayor Lori An Gobert swore Long in after the council approved her appointment. Long also works as the President of the Board of the Directors to the Live Oak Art Center.
Ridlen did not immediately provide a reason for his departure in council discussion. He was first election in 2022 and later reelected in 2024.
Read more in-depth about Long’s plans and Ridlen’s reflections in the next issue of The Citizen.
North Oak development A handful of citizens spoke in a public hearing regarding the possible annexation of a 14-acre tract of land situated in the Elizabeth Tumlinson Survey near the NEIGHBORHOOD. The land is set to be developed into a new subdivision of 27 one-story homes. Project engineer Darren McAffee with Quiddity, the developer’s contracted civil engineering firm, assured residents that the development will include redirecting drainage and stormwater runoff to the Colorado River.
“We have not finalized the development plans yet, but we are looking at the drainage to make sure that there’s no increase in runoff into the existing adjacent properties, including North Oak and North Street,” McAffee said. “The current plan is to take the drainage and reroute it into the Colorado [River].”
Debbie Damon voiced concerns over flooding, recalling many of the existing homes in the area being completely underwater in past instances.
“When I went to the appraisal office, found out, pulled up the information, I said, ‘This floods!’ I’ve got pictures, I’ve got videos of it,” Damon said. “…This is an accident, a serious disaster waiting to happen.”
McAffee said he expects for preliminary plans to be submitted to the city by the end of January.
