Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV24-167
APPLICANT: Robert Ellis; 485 Brickell Avenue, #2303; Miami, FL 33101.
PROPOSED USE: Three-unit dwelling.
LIVINGSTON AVENUE AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The applicant has received a recommendation of approval from Staff and the Development Commission for a concurrent rezoning request to the R-4, Residential District (Ordinance 0552-2025; Z24-074). The requested Council variance proposes a three unit dwelling with variances to reduce lot width, lot area, side yards, and required parking. Staff supports the request as the submitted site plan is consistent with Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines (2018), and are reflective of the development pattern in the neighborhood.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3312.49, Required parking; 3332.05(A), Area district lot width requirements; and 3332.15, R-4 area district requirements, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 786-788 SEYMOUR AVE. (43205), to allow reduced development standards for a three-unit dwelling in the R-4, Residential District (Council Variance #CV24-167).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV24-167, the owner of property 786-788 SEYMOUR AVE. (43205), is requesting a Council variance to allow reduced development standards for a three-unit dwelling in the R-4, Residential District; and
WHEREAS, Section 3312.49, Required parking, requires two parking spaces for each dwelling, a total of six parking spaces for a three-unit dwelling, while the applicant proposes a reduced total of three parking spaces; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.05(A)(4), Area district lot width requirements, requires a minimum lot width of 50 feet, while the applicant proposes to maintain the existing lot width of 36.5 feet; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.15, R-4 area district requirements, requires that a dwelling containing three or four dwelling units shall be situated on a lot with an area which equals or exceeds 2,500 square feet per dwelling unit for an interior lot, or 7,500 square feet for a three-unit dwelling, while the applicant proposes a reduced lot area of 3,997 square feet per the lot area calculation required by Section 3332.18 C., with the actual lot size being 4,928 square feet; and
WHEREAS, the Livingston Avenue Area Commission recommends approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval as the requested variance includes a site plan that incorporates C2P2 Design Guidelines, and provides more housing units consistent with the City's priorities; and
WHEREAS, said ordinance requires separate submission for all applicable permits and a Certificate of Occupancy for the proposed use; 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 786-788 SEYMOUR AVE. (43205), in using said property as desired; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That a variance from the provisions of Sections 3312.49, Required parking; 3332.05(A), Area district lot width requirements; and 3332.15, R-4 area district requirements; of the Columbus City Codes; is hereby granted for the property located at 786-788 SEYMOUR AVE. (43205), insofar as said sections prohibit a parking space reduction from six to three spaces; a reduced lot width from 50 to 36.5 feet; and a reduced lot area from 7,500 square feet for a three-unit dwelling to a calculated lot area of 3,997 square feet (4,928 square feet is the actual lot size); said property being more particularly described as follows:
786-788 SEYMOUR AVE. (43205), being 0.12± acres located on the east side of Seymour Avenue, 106± feet north of Gault Street, and being more particularly described as follows:
Situated in the County of Franklin, in the State of Ohio and in the City of Columbus:
Being Lot Number Sixty-one (61) of M.K. English's Seymour Avenue Subdivision to said city, as the same is numbered and delineated upon the recorded plat thereof, of record in Plat Book 12, page 14, Recorder's Office, Franklin County, Ohio.
Also known as 786 Seymour Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205
Parcel No: 010-014015-00
SECTION 2. That this ordinance is conditioned on and shall remain in effect only for so long as said property is used for those uses permitted in the R-4, Residential District.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is further conditioned on the subject site being developed in general conformance with the plan titled, “SITE PLAN,” dated March 14, 2025, and signed by Robert Ellis, Applicant. The plan 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 plan 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 on the applicant obtaining all applicable permits and a Certificate of Occupancy for the proposed use.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.