Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV24-127
APPLICANT: A&A Mini Mart LLC; c/o Colin McNamee, Atty.; KM Law Firm; 923 East Broad Street; Columbus, OH 43205.
PROPOSED USE: Parking and rental of moving vehicles.
UNIVERSITY AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site consists of two parcels developed with a retail establishment in the C-3, Commercial District. The site is subject to the NC, Neighborhood Commercial subarea of the University District Zoning Overlay (UDZO). The Council variance request will allow parking and rental of moving trucks, to rectify a zoning violation for not receiving a Certificate of Zoning Clearance for establishing this use. A Council variance is required because the C-3 district does not allow parking and rental of moving trucks. Staff supports the proposal as it is consistent with the Columbus Growth Strategy’s (2026) land use recommendation of “Mixed Use 1,” and design guidelines with fencing and landscaped screening of the parking lot is included. Additionally, the Department of Public Service has imposed additional conditions regarding the number and size of vehicles stored on-site and the maneuvering of said vehicles.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Section 3355.03, C-3 permitted uses, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 445 E. 17TH AVE. (43201), to allow parking and rental of moving trucks in the C-3, Commercial District (Council Variance #CV24-127).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV24-127, the owner of property at 445 E. 17TH AVE. (43201), is requesting a Council variance to allow parking and rental of moving trucks in the C-3, Commercial District; and
WHEREAS, Section 3355.03, C-3 permitted uses, prohibits automotive-related uses, while the applicant proposes parking and rental of moving trucks as shown on the submitted site plan; and
WHEREAS, the University Area Commission recommends approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Departments recommend approval because the request is consistent with the Columbus Growth Strategy’s land use recommendation and design guidelines by incorporating appropriate fencing and landscape screening of the parking lot as shown on the submitted site plan; and
WHEREAS, said ordinance requires separate submission for all applicable permits and Certificate of Zoning Clearance for the proposed parking and rental of moving trucks; 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 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 445 E. 17TH AVE. (43201), 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 Section 3355.03, C-3 permitted uses, of the Columbus City Codes; is hereby granted for the property located at 445 E. 17TH AVE. (43201), insofar as said section prohibits the parking and rental of moving trucks in the C-3, Commercial District; said property being more particularly described as follows:
445 E. 17TH AVE. (43201), being 0.33± acres located on the south side of East 17th Avenue, 635± feet east of North 4th Street, and being more particularly described as follows:
Situated in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin, State of Ohio and being Lots Numbered 19, 20, and 21 of Block No. 6 of Indianola Summit Addition, as the same are numbered and delineated upon the recorded plat thereof, of record in Plat Book 5, Page 140, Recorder’s Office, Franklin County, Ohio.
Property Address: 445 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
Parcel ID: 010-017912 & 010-137542
SECTION 2. That this ordinance is conditioned on and shall remain in effect only for so long as said property is used the parking and rental of moving vehicles, or those uses allowed in the C-3, Commercial 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 April 12, 2026, and signed by Colin McNamee, Attorney 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 upon the applicant obtaining all applicable permits and a Certificate of Zoning Clearance for the proposed parking and rental of moving trucks on the site.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance is further conditioned on the following requirements from the Department of Public Service:
1. The use of this site for truck rental shall be limited to 2 trucks with a maximum storage length of 10 feet and a maximum total length of 20 feet, and 1 truck with a maximum storage length of 15 feet and a maximum total length of 25 feet.
2. All maneuvering of rental trucks on the site, including but not limited to entering and exiting the rental truck parking spaces, shall be performed by staff such that customers only need to enter or exit the site in a forward motion without performing any backing or substantial turning maneuvers.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.