Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV09-009
APPLICANT: Burroughs Property Holdings, LLC; c/o David Hodge, Atty.; Smith & Hale; 37 West Broad Street, Suite 725; Columbus, OH 43215.
PROPOSED USE: To allow the continued storage of mobile equipment in the floodway on an existing gravel parking lot.
SOUTHWEST AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Disapproval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Disapproval. The applicant is applying for a Council variance to allow for the continued storage of mobile equipment on an existing gravel lot in the floodway. Vehicles are not allowed to be stored in the floodway nor is gravel an allowed parking surface. The applicant has provided coniferous trees to screen the equipment from Hardy Parkway. Staff approves of the use of gravel in the floodway since it is pervious, whereas asphalt is not pervious and could break up floating downstream during a flood. The applicant has stated they will move their equipment out of the floodway or anchor it in the floodway when a flash flood warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Staff finds this provision to be unenforceable and therefore cannot guarantee the public health, safety and welfare will be protected. Furthermore, this application conflicts with the Southwest Area Plan (2009), which calls for the 100 year floodplain to be preserved. Due to these considerations, Staff recommends disapproval of this Council variance.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3385.07, Activities, developments and uses in the floodway and 3312.43, Required surface for parking of the Columbus City Codes for the property located at 2233 HARDY PARKWAY STREET (43123), to permit storage of mobile equipment in the floodway on an existing gravel parking lot. (Council Variance #CV09-009).
Body
WHEREAS, by application #CV09-009, the owner of property at 2233 HARDY PARKWAY STREET (43123), is requesting a Variance to permit the storage ...
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