Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV24-141
APPLICANT: Dream Living LLC; c/o Brenda Parker, Agent; 405 North Front Street; Columbus, OH 43215.
PROPOSED USE: Two-unit dwelling.
COLUMBUS SOUTH SIDE 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 AR-1, Apartment Residential District (Ordinance #1369-2025; Z24-058). The requested Council variance proposes a two-unit dwelling which is an allowed use of the AR-1 district, but development must be in accordance with R-4, Residential District standards. Variances to R-4 district standards for reduced lot width and minimum side yard have been deemed necessary. Staff supports the request as the proposed two-unit dwelling is consistent with the residential uses and development pattern along this portion of East Whittier Street, and does not introduce an incompatible use to the area.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3332.05(A), Area district lot width requirements; and 3332.26(C)(3), Minimum side yard permitted, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 1207 E. WHITTIER ST. (43206), to allow reduced development standards for a two-unit dwelling in the AR-1, Apartment Residential District (Council Variance #CV24-141).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV24-141, the owner of property at 1207 E. WHITTIER ST. (43206), is requesting a Council variance to allow reduced development standards for a two-unit dwelling in the AR-1, Apartment Residential District; 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 30.60 feet; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.26(C)(3), Minimum side yard permitted, requires a side yard of no less than five feet, while the applicant proposes a reduced minimum side yard of three feet along the eastern and western property lines; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus South Side Area Commission recommends approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval as the proposed two-unit dwelling is consistent with the residential uses and development pattern along this portion of East Whittier Street, and does not introduce an incompatible use to the area; and
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 1207 E. WHITTIER 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 from the provisions of Sections 3332.05(A), Area district lot width requirements; and 3332.26(C)(3), Minimum side yard permitted, of the Columbus City Codes; is hereby granted for the property located at 1207 E. WHITTIER ST. (43206), insofar as said sections prohibit a reduced lot width from 50 to 30.60 feet; and a reduced minimum side yard from five feet to three feet along the eastern and western property lines; said property being more particularly described as follows:
1207 E. WHITTIER ST. (43206), being 0.10± acres located on the south side of East Whittier Street, 100± feet west of Lockbourne Road, and being more particularly described as follows:
Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, and the City of Columbus.
Being Lot Number Three Hundred Thirty (330) of JACOB H. STUDER’S SUBDIVISION, in said City being part of Half Section 31, Township 5, Range 22, Refugee Lands, as the same is numbered and delineated upon the recorded plat thereof, of record in Plat Book 5, pages 294 and 295, Recorder’s Office, Franklin County, Ohio.
Address: 1207 East Whittier Street, Columbus, OH 43206.
Parcel Number: 010-051770
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 allowed in the AR-1, Apartment 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 A1.0,” dated April 29, 2025, and signed by Brenda Parker, Architect for the 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 two-unit dwelling.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.