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A U.S. District Court jurist has ruled against Lifestyle Communities in its attempt to establish residences and commercial spaces on 38 acres along Worthington’s north-south corridor, which is the city’s most significant undeveloped property.
This ruling could bring an end to a lengthy legal dispute between the Columbus developer and the municipality; however, it leaves unresolved any aspirations by LC, which possesses the land, to transform the former United Methodist Children’s Home site into a development that will yield tax income for the city and profits for themselves.
“We are gratified that Judge Sarah D. Morrison approved the city’s motion for summary judgment, resolving all outstanding claims in the city’s favor. We are still analyzing the decision,” stated city spokeswoman Anne Brown.
Morrison’s legal reasoning questioned whether Worthington had gone “‘too far’ in limiting LC’s use of the UMCH property,” concluding that “legally speaking, the answer is no.”
LC asserted, among other points, that city officials imposed unreasonable conditions and limitations on the developer, rendering any profitable development unfeasible, if not impossible.
Morrison countered that LC was “fully aware of the existing limitations, zoning process, and general discontent surrounding this development when it acquired the property.” LC purchased the parcel in January 2021 for $5.2 million, remarking that its value would escalate to around $35 million if completely developed.
However, LC’s proposals demanded housing density that many community members opposed.
In 2015, before acquiring the property, LC submitted plans proposing 571 residences, including many apartments, along with commercial development facing High Street. Five years later, a revised plan called for 725 residential units and additional commercial buildings. Both proposals were declined by the city council.
A third LC proposal specified 600 housing units, which culminated in the lawsuit.
Worthington Councilman David Robinson indicated that he has consistently pursued transparency and resident feedback on other initiatives. At one stage, he advocated for a housing moratorium to “reset” LC’s proposals. However, in its lawsuit, LC referenced a “confidential” memorandum shared among council members in 2018, alongside public declarations from some council members promising to prevent Lifestyle from developing the site, as evidence of a “plot” to halt development. Additionally, Robinson led a successful initiative to rapidly amend the city’s comprehensive plan in 2022 to impose further restrictions on LC’s proposals.
Robinson commended the court’s ruling, criticizing LC’s litigation “not as a matter of fairness or justice, but as an element of a business approach in which a corporation endeavors to influence communities to acquiesce, achieving through legal and financial pressure what could not be secured through typical public channels.”
Attempts to contact LC and its legal representative went unanswered.
Long-standing history as a refuge for at-risk youth
For over a century, the site served as the United Methodist Children’s Home, which ceased operations in 2010, leaving behind cottages for orphaned and at-risk adolescents, along with offices and meeting/dining facilities.
During its operation, there were instances of fights, escapes, and frequent police interventions concerning the home. The property’s western boundary abuts the backyards of several residences in the Worthington Estates subdivision.
Since then, numerous proposals have been advanced to develop the site.
In 2012, Continental Real Estate attempted to establish a Giant Eagle supermarket and gas station on the land. During a congregational meeting, over 100 residents vociferously opposed the proposal. One individual exclaimed: “We want something to enhance our community, not take away from it,” during the gathering. Consequently, those plans were abandoned. In 2013, the city engaged a consultant to devise a comprehensive plan for the property, encompassing landscaping, urban and graphic design principles, and development possibilities.
Five years ago, OhioHealth revealed plans to establish a standalone emergency department on the site. However, those plans were scrapped after the health organization could not reach an agreement with the property owner, given that it was noted that Worthington residents are within a 10-15 minute travel time from two major trauma centers.
The latest litigation was partially triggered when Worthington modified its comprehensive plan without prior notification, particularly mandating resident participation and careful consideration.
planning of the estate. A previous extensive plan, which directed LC’s original proposal, was accepted in 2014 following community feedback.
Morrison remarked in her verdict that “As the documentation indicates, this location is a distinctive property within Worthington; its development is delicate and contentious, and residents needed confirmation that no ‘back-room deals’ were occurring.
Uncertain future plans for site
The Worthington Alliance for Responsible Development (WARD) has been instrumental in opposing LC’s initiative for the Methodist site, partly because it feels the proposal could endanger the city’s character.
In reaction to LC’s latest proposal, it stated: “Six hundred housing units with two individuals per unit would result in 1,200 new inhabitants, or about 8.5% of Worthington’s total populace of 13,700 crammed into the 25 acres designated for residential use.”
The city’s overarching plan anticipates some housing on the site, and Pamela Fair, WARD representative, mentioned that the group is not against residences.
“We wish to see that land developed,” she expressed. “It’s disgraceful that it has remained vacant for this long.”
However, she argued that the most suitable usage would be for empty nesters. Additionally, there should be more recreational space nearby for sports, entertainment, and outdoor pursuits.
Surveys have indicated that residents cherish ample green areas and parks and would resist development that threatens the environment, traffic conditions, and overcrowding in schools, among other concerns.
The city’s legal efforts have been managed by Law Director Tom Lindsey and two external firms. Worthington has incurred $142,439 since April 2022 related to legal expenses linked to the property, according to city records. The majority of costs have been covered by insurance.
“Considering what’s at risk — the future identity of the city — legal expenses are primarily insignificant,” Robinson stated.
Meanwhile, as LC contemplates the option to appeal, the property remains dormant, a refuge for deer to rest undisturbed and consume foliage.
Lindsey mentioned that he hasn’t received any information regarding what will happen next. The court ruling does not prevent LC from proposing new plans for the location.
Or, as Lindsey stated, “There’s no obligation for them to ever develop the land.”
Robinson expressed that he will continue to advocate for responsible utilization of the site, similar to three years ago when he promoted a significant green space coupled with commercial development along High Street and housing if “creatively executed” and “in harmony” with adjacent areas.
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