Explanation
COUNCIL VARIANCE: CV08-037
APPLICANT: William Eylar; c/o Jeanne M. Cabral, Architect; 2939 Bexley Park Road; Columbus, Ohio 43209.
PROPOSED USE: Event facility.
NEAR EAST AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The site is developed with single-family dwelling and carriage house in the AR-O, Apartment Residential Office District. The applicant requests a Council variance to allow the existing dwelling and rear yard to be used for an event facility for weddings and private parties, and the carriage house to be used for accessory storage. The property was issued a Zoning Code violation in 2006 for establishing the event facility use without obtaining the necessary permits or zoning clearance. A building permit was subsequently applied for in 2007 to change the use to a museum (a permitted use of the AR-O District) but the permit was never issued because it was determined that a Council variance or rezoning would be required to use the property for wedding receptions and other private events. Variances for driveway width, parking lot striping, maneuvering, and a parking reduction for ninety-eight spaces are included in the request, and the applicant has shared parking agreements with adjacent properties to use an additional 100 parking spaces. Although the Near East Area Plan (2005) recommends office and multi-family uses for this location, Staff supports the variance request because it will preserve the existing building, it is not a retail use, and the parking reduction will minimize impact on the surrounding neighborhood by retaining existing building stock. With the conditions and site plan the applicant has committed to, the request is consistent and compatible with the existing zoning and development patterns in the area.
Title
To grant a variance from the provisions of Sections 3333.04, Permitted uses; 3342.08, Driveway; 3342.15, Maneuvering; 3342.23, Striping and ma...
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