Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV25-111
APPLICANT: Kareem Jackson; 3203 El Paso Drive; Columbus, OH 43204
PROPOSED USE: Two-unit dwelling.
NEAR EAST AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site consists of one undeveloped parcel in the R-3, Residential District. The requested Council variance will allow the site to be developed with a two-unit dwelling. A Council variance is required because the R-3 district prohibits two-unit dwellings. A variance for lot width, lot area, and required parking is also included in this request. The site is located within the boundaries of the Near East Area Plan (2005), which does not include a specific land use recommendation for this location, but does recommend that new housing construction be consistent with surrounding densities and building types in the neighborhood. Staff supports the requested use and variances as they are consistent with this recommendation, and notes that this request will not add an incompatible use as there are a mix of residential unit types in the area.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3332.035, R-3 residential district; 3312.49(C), Required Parking; 3332.05(A)(4), Area district lot width requirements; and 3332.13, R-3 area district requirements, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 1351 E. FULTON ST. (43205), to allow a two-unit dwelling with reduced development standards in the R-3, Residential District (Council Variance #CV25-111).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV25-111, the owner of the property at 1351 E. FULTON ST. (43205), is requesting a Council variance to allow a two-unit dwellings with reduced development standards in the R-3, Residential District; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.035, R-3 residential district, prohibits two-unit dwellings as the primary land use, while the applicant proposes a two-unit dwelling; and
WHEREAS, Section 3312.49(C), Required parking, requires two parking spaces per dwelling unit for a total of four required parking spaces, while the applicant proposes two total 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-3, Residential District, while the applicant proposes to maintain a reduced lot width of 35 feet; 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 not less than 5,000 square feet in area, while the applicant proposes a reduced lot area of 2,625± square feet per dwelling; and
WHEREAS, the Near East Area Commission recommends approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval because the request is consistent with the residential character of the neighborhood 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 variances 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 the adjacent property, unreasonably increase the congestion of public streets, increase the danger of fires, endanger the public safety, unreasonably diminish or impair established property values within the surrounding area, or in any other respect 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 owner of the property located at 1351 E. FULTON ST. (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 3332.035, R-3 residential district; 3312.49(C), Required parking; 3332.05(A)(4), Area district lot width requirements; and 3332.13, R-3 area district requirements, of the Columbus City Codes; is hereby granted for the property located at 1351 E. FULTON ST. (43205), insofar as said sections prohibit a two-unit dwelling in the R-3, Residential District; with reduced required parking spaces from four to two spaces; reduced lot width from 50 feet to 35 feet; and reduced lot area from 5,000 to 2,625± square feet per dwelling; said property being more particularly described as follows:
1351 E. FULTON ST. (43205), being 0.12± acres located on the south side of East Fulton Street, 200± feet east of Kimball Place, and being more particularly described as follows:
Situated in the State of Ohio, County of Franklin, City of Columbus, and being Lot Number 35 of J.E. Fulton’s Addition, as the same is numbered and delineated upon the recorded plat thereof, of record in Plat Book 4, Page 98, Recorder’s Office, Franklin County Ohio.
Address: 1351 E. Fulton Street, Columbus, OH 43205
Parcel Number: 010-032164
SECTION 2. That this ordinance is conditioned on and shall remain in effect only for so long as said property is used for a two-unit dwelling, 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 March 4, 2026, and signed by Kareem Jackson, 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 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.