City of Columbus - File #: 2378-2025

• File #: 2378-2025
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 8/29/2025
• In control: Zoning Committee
• On agenda: 10/27/2025
• Final action: 10/29/2025
• Title: To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections E.20.100.A, Use Table; E.20.040.C, Building Placement; and E.20.040.G, On-Site Parking, of the Columbus City Codes; for the property located at 1058 PARSONS AVE. (43206), to allow an automotive repair facility with reduced development standards in the UGN-1, Urban General District (Council Variance #CV25-032).

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/29/2025	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
10/28/2025	1	ACTING MAYOR	Signed
10/27/2025	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
10/27/2025	1	Zoning Committee	Accept the application and area commission report into evidence as exhibits	Pass
10/27/2025	1	Zoning Committee	Adopt the following as the factual findings of Council	Pass
10/27/2025	1	Zoning Committee	Adopt the Following Preliminary Findings and Final Findings	Pass
10/27/2025	1	Zoning Committee	Approved	Pass
10/20/2025	1	Columbus City Council	Read for the First Time

Explanation

Council Variance Application: CV25-032

APPLICANT: Andrew Johnson; c/o Craig Moncrief, Atty.; 411 East Town Street, Floor 2; Columbus, OH 43215.

PROPOSED USE: Automotive repair facility.

COLUMBUS SOUTH SIDE AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.

CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Disapproval. The site consists of one undeveloped parcel in the UGN-1, Urban General District. The requested Council variance will allow the new construction of an automotive repair facility that supports the existing automobile repair facility located on the adjacent parcel to the north. A Council variance is required because the UGN-1 district does not allow automotive repair facilities. Variances to reduce the building’s façade length along Parsons Avenue from 70 to 52.14 percent within the front façade zone, and to reduce the front surface parking setback from 24 to zero feet are also included in this request. The site is within the planning area of the Near Southside Plan (2011), which recommends “Mixed-Use (Neighborhood)” land uses for this location. Additionally, the Plan includes early adoption of the Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines (2018). The submitted site plan depicts a removed curb cut from Parsons Avenue and parking lot screening comprised of black metal tube fencing and landscaping, which are consistent with the Plan’s and C2P2’s design guideline recommendations. However, staff does not support the proposal because automotive uses do not contribute to a pedestrian-oriented development pattern envisioned by the UGN-1 district, and are not typically compatible with high-density residential development that is allowed in this district. Additionally, staff does not concur with the applicant’s analysis of the practical difficulties, and believes that the requested variances to reduce the front façade zone and the front surface parking setback line are substantial.

Title

To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections E....