Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV25-018
APPLICANT: Stefany Risner; 700 Bryden Road, Office 128; Columbus, OH 43215.
PROPOSED USE: Two single-unit dwellings on one lot.
FAR SOUTH COLUMBUS AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site consists of one parcel developed with a single-unit dwelling and a detached garage in the R-2, Residential District. The requested Council variance will allow the existing detached garage to be converted into an accessory dwelling unit. A Council variance is required because the R-2 district only allows one single-unit dwelling per lot. Variances to required parking, lot area, minimum side yard, and rear yard are also included in this request. Although the request is inconsistent with the Tri-South Neighborhood Plan’s (2004) land use recommendation for single-unit residential use, Columbus City Wide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines (2018) note that higher densities may be supported if they include a high level of site and architectural design. The submitted site plan and building elevations are consistent with this recommendation. Additionally, Staff supports the proposed parking reduction variance due to the availability of on-street parking.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3332.033, R-2 residential district; 3312.49, Required parking; 3332.12, R-2 area district requirements; 3332.26, Minimum side yard permitted; and 3332.27, Rear yard, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 3041 WEIRTON DR. (43207), to allow two single-unit dwellings on one lot with reduced development standards in the R-2, Residential District (Council Variance #CV25-018).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV25-018, the owner of the property at 3041 WEIRTON DR. (43207), is requesting a Variance to allow two single-unit dwellings on one lot with reduced development standards in the R-2, Residential District; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.033, R-2, residential district, only allows one single-unit dwelling on a lot, while the applicant proposes to convert the existing detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit, resulting in two single-unit dwellings on one lot; and
WHEREAS, Section 3312.49, Required parking, requires two parking spaces for each dwelling, for a total of four parking spaces, while the applicant proposes two parking spaces; and
WHEREAS, Section 3332.12, R-2 area district requirements, requires that any 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 one 7,850 square foot lot, or approximately 3,925 square feet per dwelling; and
WHEREAS, 3332.26, Minimum side yard permitted, requires that the minimum side yard be no less than five feet, while the applicant proposes no side yard on the south side of the existing carport; 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 a reduced rear yard of 15 percent for the proposed accessory dwelling unit; and
WHEREAS, the Far South Columbus Area Commission recommends approval; and
WHEREAS, City Departments recommend approval because the requested Council variance is consistent with C2P2 Design Guidelines which include providing a high level of site and architectural design; and
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 3041 WEIRTON DR. (43207), 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 Sections 3332.033, R-2 residential district; 3312.49, Required parking; 3332.12, R-2 area district requirements; 3332.26, Minimum side yard permitted; and 3332.27, Rear yard, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 3041 WEIRTON DR. (43207), insofar as said sections prohibit two single-unit dwellings on one lot in the R-2, Residential District, with a reduction in the required parking from four to two spaces; a reduced lot area from 5,000 square feet to approximately 3,925 square feet per dwelling; no minimum side yard on the south side of the existing carport; and a reduced rear yard from 25 percent to 15 percent for the proposed accessory dwelling unit; said property being more particularly described as follows:
3041 WEIRTON DR. (43207), being 0.20± acres located on the west side of Weirton Drive; 60± feet south of Grovewood Drive:
SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, IN THE STATE OF OHIO AND IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
BEING LOT NUMBER (120) SOUTHFIELD’S SECOND ADDITION, AS THE SAME IS SHOWN OF RECORD IN PLAT BOOK 31, PAGE 34, RECORDER’S OFFICE, FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO.
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 and building elevations, or those uses allowed in the R-2, 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,” and exterior elevations titled “ELEVATION,” both dated May 20, 2025, and signed by Stefany Risner, 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 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.