Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV15-064
APPLICANT: Community Properties of Ohio Management Services, LLC; c/o Thomas F. Kibbey, Atty.; 41 South High Street, 2000 Huntington Center; Columbus, OH 43215.
PROPOSED USE: Office, parking, and limited storage uses.
NEAR EAST AREA COMMISSION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site is zoned R-2F, Residential District, and is developed with an existing maintenance facility and parking lot for a property management office located south of the site fronting on East Broad Street. This site was subject to Ordinance No. 1867-2003 (CV03-023), passed July 28, 2003, to allow for reuse of an existing vacant warehouse with parking lot improvements and variances to area district standards. The requested Council variance will permit general office uses within the existing maintenance building, and limited on-site storage, while carrying over the approvals for the existing parking lot. The variance is necessary because the R-2F, Residential District prohibits office, parking, and storage uses. Included in the request are variances for existing site conditions for building lines, side yards, rear yard, side or rear yard obstructions, loading space size, maneuvering, and parking lot screening. The site is located within the Near East Area Plan (2005), which contains criteria that can be used to determine if proposed commercial uses should be supported within residential areas. Key factors include whether the structure has a history of commercial activity and parking considerations. This request can be supported because the proposal includes a renovated commercial building, and has been designed to ensure compatibility with adjacent residential uses. Staff supports this request noting that the office use is appropriate for this location, and limits pertaining to size and location, screening, height, and...
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