Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV25-055
APPLICANT: Christine Wooten; 2866 Oaklawn Street; Columbus, OH 43224
PROPOSED USE: Two single-unit dwellings on one lot.
NORTH LINDEN AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site consists of one parcel developed with a single-unit dwelling in the R-3, Residential District. The requested Council variance will allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the rear of the lot, resulting in two single-unit dwellings on one lot. A Council variance is required because the R-3 district only allows one single-unit dwelling per lot. The site is located within the planning boundaries of the North Linden Neighborhood Plan Amendment (2014), which recommends “Low-Medium Density Residential” land uses at this location, and includes the early adoption of Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines (2018). Variances to lot area, fronting, and rear yard are also included in this request. Staff supports the requested variances as the proposed use is consistent with the residential character of the neighborhood and does not introduce an incompatible use to the area.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3332.035, R-3 residential district; 3332.13, R-3 area district requirements; 3332.19, Fronting; and 3332.27, Rear yard, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 2866 OAKLAWN ST. (43224), to allow two single-unit dwellings on one lot with reduced development standards in the R-3, Residential District (Council Variance #CV25-055).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV25-055, the owner of the property at 2866 OAKLAWN ST. (43224), is requesting a Variance to allow two single-unit dwellings on one lot with reduced development standards in the R-3, Residential District; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.035, R-3 residential district, only allows one single-unit dwelling per lot, while the applicant proposes an accessory dwelling unit at the rear of the subject site, resulting in two single-unit dwellings on one lot; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.13, R-3 area district requirements, requires that a single-unit dwelling or other principal building shall be situated on a lot of no less than 5,000 square feet in area, while the applicant proposes two single-unit dwellings on a reduced lot area of 4,813± square feet per dwelling (pursuant to lot area calculation in 3332.18(C)); and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.19, Fronting, requires a dwelling unit to have frontage on a public street, while the applicant proposes that the accessory dwelling unit fronts upon a public alley; 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 provided for the rear accessory dwelling unit; and
WHEREAS, the North Linden Area Commission recommends approval; and
WHEREAS, City Departments recommend approval because the requested Council variance will allow a rear accessory dwelling unit on a lot developed with a single-unit dwelling consistent with the residential character of the neighborhood, and will not introduce an incompatible use to the area.
WHEREAS, said ordinance requires separate submission for all applicable permits and a Certificate of Occupancy for the proposed accessory dwelling unit; and
WHEREAS, said variance will not adversely affect the surrounding property or surrounding neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the granting of said variances 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 variances will alleviate the difficulties encountered by the owners of the property located at 2866 OAKLAWN ST. (43224), 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 3332.035, R-3 residential district; 3332.13, R-3 area district requirements; 3332.19, Fronting; and 3332.27, Rear yard, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 2866 OAKLAWN ST. (43224), insofar as said sections prohibit two single-unit dwellings on one lot in the R-3, Residential District; a reduced lot area from 5,000 square feet to 4,813± square feet per dwelling; no fronting on a public street for the ADU; and no rear yard for the accessory dwelling unit; said property being more particularly described as follows:
2866 OAKLAWN ST. (43224), being 0.22± acres located on the east side of Oaklawn Avenue, 100± feet north of Milford Avenue, and being more particularly described as follows:
Lying in the County of FRANKLIN, State of OHIO, and the City of COLUMBUS, and further described as follows:
Being Lot Number Three (3) and Four (4), Block Four (4), in Kenmore Park, as the same is numbered and delineated upon the recorded plat thereof, of record in Plat Book 18, Page 36, Recorder’s Office, Franklin County, Ohio.
Prior instrument reference: 201011030147676 of the Deed Records of the Recorder of FRANKLIN County, Ohio.
Address: 2866 Oaklawn Street, Columbus, OH 43224
Parcel: 010-079844
SECTION 2. That this ordinance is conditioned on and shall remain in effect only for so long as said property is used for two single-unit dwellings on one lot, in accordance with the submitted site plan, or those uses allowed in the R-3, 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,” dated October 31, 2025, and signed by Christine Wooten, 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 accessory dwelling unit.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.