Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV07-045
APPLICANT: Second Baptist Church; c/o Olivia B. Johnson, Atty.; 2046 Willow Glen Lane; Columbus, OH 43229.
PROPOSED USE: Church parking lots.
GERMAN VILLAGE NEAR EAST COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The requested Council variance will permit two off-street church parking lots totaling forty-five (45) parking spaces on vacant land in the R-2F, Residential and P-1, Parking Districts. The applicant also requests to maintain an existing concrete block building to be used as a maintenance building for the church. The church is located directly across the street on the east side of North Seventeenth Street. Staff supports the application for a Council variance instead of a rezoning because there would be no need for either request if the site was adjacent to the church property, and the property was combined with the church property. Staff has determined that it is best to allow this proposal to occur rather than introduce an unnecessary commercial zoning district into a residential area. The site is located within the boundaries of The Near East Plan (2005) which recommends that parking needs for businesses, churches, and other organizations must be balanced with the need to preserve the urban fabric of the Near East Side. Staff has determined that the parking lots are compatible with the surrounding development. The proposed parking lots will alleviate the need for parishioners to park on the street, and approval of this request will not add a new or incompatible use to the area.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3332.037, R-2F, Residential district; 3332.18(D), Basis of computing area; 3332.25, Maximum side yards required; 3332.26, Minimum side yard permitted; 3332.27, Rear yard; 3332.30(c), Vision clearance; 3342.17, Parking...
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