Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV24-132
APPLICANT: Theresa Barron; c/o Kelton Waller, Agent; 32 North 17th Street; Columbus, OH 43203.
PROPOSED USE: A single-unit dwelling and a two-unit dwelling on one lot.
COLUMBUS SOUTH SIDE AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site is developed with a single-unit dwelling in the R-2F, Residential District. The requested Council variance will allow for the addition of a two-unit dwelling at the rear of the property. A Council variance is required because the R-2F district allows a single-unit dwelling or a two-unit dwelling, but does not allow both single- and two-unit dwellings on the same lot. The request includes variances to required parking, lot width, lot area, fronting, minimum side yard, and rear yard. The proposed two-unit dwelling is consistent with the Near Southside Plan’s (2011) recommendation of “Medium Density Mixed Residential” land uses at this location, and Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) residential design guidelines which recommend new housing be compatible with nearby design and character, and consistent with nearby home designs. Staff is supportive of the parking reduction variance due to the presence of on-street parking, and the walkable development pattern of the area.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3332.037, R-2F residential district; 3312.49(C), Required parking; 3332.05(A)(4), Area district lot width requirements; 3332.14, R-2F area district requirements; 3332.19, Fronting; 3332.26, Minimum side yard permitted; and 3332.27, Rear yard, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 769 S. 17TH ST. (43206), to allow a single-unit dwelling and a two-unit dwelling on one lot with reduced development standards in the R-2F, Residential District (Council Variance #CV24-132).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV24-132, the owner of the property at 769 S. 17TH ST. (43206), is requesting a Variance to allow a single-unit and a two-unit dwelling on one lot with reduced development standards in the R-2F, Residential District; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.037, R-2F, residential district, allows a single-unit dwelling or a two-unit dwelling, while the applicant proposes to maintain an existing single-unit dwelling and construct a new two-unit dwelling at the rear of the lot; and
WHEREAS, Section 3312.49(C), Required parking, requires two parking spaces per dwelling unit for a total of six parking spaces for three dwelling units, while the applicant proposes a total of four parking spaces; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.05(A)(4), Area district lot width requirements, requires a minimum lot width of 50 feet in the R-2F, Residential District, while the applicant proposes to maintain a reduced lot width of 45± feet; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.14, R-2F area district requirements, requires that a single-unit dwelling shall be situated on a lot with an area that equals or exceeds 6,000 square feet per dwelling unit, while the applicant proposes a single-unit dwelling and a two-unit dwelling on a lot that contains 6,075 square feet, or 2,025 square feet per dwelling unit, pursuant to the lot area calculation in Section 3332.18(C); and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.19, Fronting, requires a dwelling unit to front on a public street, while the applicant proposes that the new two-unit dwelling front upon a public alley; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.26, Minimum side yard permitted, requires a minimum side yard of five feet, while the applicant proposes to maintain no side yard along the northern property line for the existing single-unit dwelling; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.27, Rear yard, requires that each dwelling, residence, or principal building shall be erected so as to provide a rear yard totaling no less than 25 percent of the total lot area, while the applicant proposes no rear yard for the new two-unit dwelling; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus South Side Area Commission recommends approval; and
WHEREAS, City Departments recommend approval of the requested variances because the proposal is consistent with the Near Southside Plan’s land use recommendation and with C2P2 Design Guidelines.
WHEREAS, said ordinance requires separate submission for all applicable permits, and a Certificate of Occupancy for the proposed two-unit dwelling; and
WHEREAS, said variance will not adversely affect the surrounding property or surrounding neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the granting of said variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent properties or unreasonably increase the congestion of public streets, or unreasonably diminish or impair established property values within the surrounding area, or otherwise impair the public health, safety, comfort, morals, or welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the granting of said variance will alleviate the difficulties encountered by the owners of the property located at 769 S. 17TH ST. (43206), in using said property as desired; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That a variance is hereby granted from the provisions of Sections 3332.037, R-2F residential district; 3312.49(C), Required parking; 3332.05(A)(4), Area district lot width requirements; 3332.14, R-2F area district requirements; 3332.19, Fronting; 3332.26, Minimum side yard permitted; and 3332.27, Rear yard, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 769 S. 17TH ST. (43206), insofar as said sections prohibit a single-unit dwelling and a two-unit dwelling on one lot in the R-2F, Residential District; with a parking reduction from six spaces to four spaces; a reduced minimum lot width from 50 feet to 45± feet; a reduced lot area from 6,000 square feet to 2,025 square feet per dwelling unit; no frontage on a public street for the proposed two-unit dwelling; a reduced minimum side yard from five feet to zero feet along the northern property line for the existing single-unit dwelling; and no rear yard for the proposed two-unit dwelling; said property being more particularly described as follows:
769 S. 17TH ST. (43206), being 0.15± acres located on the west side of South 17th Street, 45± feet south of East Sycamore Street; said property being more particularly described as follows:
Situated in The State of Ohio, County of Franklin, City of Columbus:
Being Lot Number 211 of Swayne’s addition to the City of Columbus, Ohio as the same is numbered and delineated upon the recorded plat thereof, of record in Plat Book 2, page 35, Recorder’s Office, Franklin County, Ohio and commonly known as 769 South Seventeenth Street, Columbus, Ohio.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance is conditioned on and shall remain in effect only for so long as said property is used for a single-unit dwelling and a two-unit dwelling on one lot, in accordance with the submitted site plan, or those uses allowed in the R-2F, Residential District.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is further conditioned on the subject site being developed in general conformance with the site plan titled, “SITE PLAN,” and building elevations titled “WEST ELEVATION,” “EAST ELEVATION,” “NORTH ELEVATION,” and “SOUTH ELEVATION,” all dated July 2, 2025, and signed by Kelton Waller, Agent for the Applicant. The plans may be slightly adjusted to reflect engineering, topographical, or other site data developed at the time of the development and when engineering and architectural drawings are completed. Any slight adjustments to the plans shall be subject to review and approval by the Director of the Department Building and Zoning Services, or a designee, upon submission of the appropriate data regarding the proposed adjustment.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining all applicable permits and a Certificate of Occupancy for the proposed two-unit dwelling.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.