Explanation
Council Variance Application: CV17-071
APPLICANT: Tahani Al-Saadi; c/o Omar Tarazi, Atty.; 5635 Sandbrook Lane; Hilliard, OH 43026.
PROPOSED USE: Automobile sales, leasing, and rental.
SOUTH LINDEN AREA COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
CITY DEPARTMENTS' RECOMMENDATION: Disapproval. The site is subject to Zoning Code violation orders for establishing an automobile sales use without obtaining zoning clearance. The site is zoned in the C-3, Commercial District, and lies within the Cleveland Avenue Urban Commercial Overlay (UCO). The requested Council variance will permit the use which is not a permitted use of the C-3 district and will also grant variances to existing site conditions that do not comply with the setback, building design, landscaping and screening, and parking requirements of the UCO. A variance is necessary because automotive uses are only permitted in the C-4, Commercial District. The site is located within the planning area of the South Linden Neighborhood Plan Amendment (2012), which recommends “Neighborhood Mixed Use” for this location. That designation envisions a mix of uses, built to UCO design standards, serving the neighborhood and reinforcing a walkable environment. The preponderance of automobile-oriented uses is inconsistent with the broader mix envisioned by the Plan. Consequently, staff does not support additional automobile-oriented uses along this corridor. Any decision to support a proposal allowing such uses on this site should include commitments to UCO standards, including graphics, screening and landscaping.
Title
To grant a Variance from the provisions of Sections 3355.03, C-3 permitted uses; 3372.604, Setback requirements; 3372.605, Building design standards; 3372.607, Landscaping and screening; 3372.608, Lighting; and 3372.609, Parking and circulation, of the Columbus City codes; for the property located at 2172 CLEVELAND...
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