Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV24-102
APPLICANT: Riewald Development, c/o Michael Shannon, Atty.; 8000 Walton Parkway, Suite 260, New Albany, OH 43054.
PROPOSED USE: Mixed-use development.
COLUMBUS SOUTH SIDE AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Approval. The 0.90± acre site consists of one parcel developed with commercial uses in the UCT, Urban Center District. Because the applicant filed a site compliance plan prior to the effective date of the UCT district, the project is being considered under the former C-4, Commercial District. The site is also subject to the former Parsons Avenue Urban Commercial Overlay (UCO). Staff supports the project being reviewed under the former C-4 district because it had been designed well before the UCT district design standards had been made available to the general public. The requested Council variance will allow a new mixed use development with 2,108 square feet of commercial space and 86 dwelling units. A Council variance is required because the C-4, Commercial District does not allow ground floor residential uses. Variances to parking spaces, required parking, building setbacks, building design elements, and landscaping and screening are also included in this request. The Near Southside Plan (2011) recommends “Mixed Use (Neighborhood)” land uses at this location, which encourages residential and commercial uses along main roads with densities up to 28 dwelling units per acre. Staff supports the proposal because, although the proposed density exceeds the Plan recommendation, Columbus Citywide Planning Policies (C2P2) Design Guidelines consider support for such proposals if they exhibit a high level of design. Staff finds the building elevations and materials consistent with C2P2 guidelines with regards to transparency, entrances and balconies contributing to street activity, and building height transitions, as well as articulation and landscaping to screen areas wh...
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