Columbus, Georgia

Subject: (ZC0204-3) Request to amend the text of the zoning ordinance to allow yoga and

pilates as a Special Exception Use in an H (Historic) Zoning District.

Maria Lesh and Kristi Cutsforth are proposing an amendment to Section 22-25 H

historic district. The purpose of the amendment is to allow yoga and pilates as

a Special Exception Use. The text change will give individuals increased

access to the professional / upscale clientele that this use would serve but on

a case-by-case basis in an H zone. The Special Exception Use will allow the

Planning Division to assess the impact that this use could have on the

character of the district, public health, and safety.



The Planning Advisory Commission considered this text amendment at their

meeting on May 1, 2002. The Planning Advisory Commission recommended that this

text change be approved as Personal / Health Fitness Training Services as a

principal use.



The Planning Division recommends the adoption of the proposed text amendment as

Yoga and Pilates as a Special Exception Use. The recommendation of the

Planning Advisory Commission could open the door for numerous undesirable uses

to go into the H district.



Based upon a request by Council, the Planning Division has researched issues

pertaining to home occupancy and class sizes in relation to this request.

These issues will be addressed during the Special Exception phase of the

process. All applicants who wish to teach yoga and pilates in the H district

will need to file a Special Exception Use application with the Planning

Division. The Special Exception Use allows the Planning Division and Council

to assess each case based on public health, safety, welfare, and convenience;

property value impact; compatibility with adjoining development and the

proposed character of the district; buffering; parking and egress / ingress;

and conformity to the regulations of the district. This use would not be able

to operate out of a structure used as a home in this district. That would

constitute a home occupation and customers are not permitted to come to a home

under the home occupation ordinance. Class sizes should be determined on a

case-by-case basis. Some structures in the H district have considerable room

and parking which would allow for large classes. Issues of this nature would

be determined in the Special Exception Use process rather than the text

amendment process.



Attached is a copy of the Planning Division=s Staff Report.



Sincerely,

Staff Report

Application

Maria Lesh and Kristi Cutsforth are proposing an amendment to Section 22-25 H

historic district. The purpose of the amendment is to allow yoga and pilates as

a Special Exception Use. The text change will give individuals increased

access to the professional / upscale clientele that this use would serve but on

a case-by-case basis in an H zone. The Special Exception Use will allow the

Planning Division to assess the impact that this use could have on the

character of the district, public health, and safety.

Proposed Text Amendment

Amend Sec. 22-25 (H historic district) as follows:



Add section 22-25 (D)(1) to read as follows:



(D) Special Exceptions



(1) Yoga and pilates



(a) Yoga and pilates shall not be allowed as a home occupation.

(b) Class sizes shall be determined by the Planning Division on a case

by case basis.

Planning Advisory Commission Recommendation

The Planning Advisory Commission considered this text amendment at their

meeting on May 1, 2002. The Planning Advisory Commission recommended that this

text change be approved as Personal / Health Fitness Training Services as a

principal use.

Planning Department Recommendation

The Planning Division recommends the adoption of the proposed text amendment as Yoga and Pilates as a Special Exception Use. The recommendation of the Planning Advisory Commission could open the door for numerous undesirable uses to go into the H district.



Based upon a request by Council, the Planning Division has researched issues pertaining to home occupancy and class sizes in relation to this request. These issues will be addressed during the Special Exception phase of the process. All applicants who wish to teach yoga and pilates in the H district will need to file a Special Exception Use application with the Planning Division. The Special Exception Use allows the Planning Division and Council to assess each case based on public health, safety, welfare, and convenience; property value impact; compatibility with adjoining development and the proposed character of the district; buffering; parking and egress / ingress; and conformity to the regulations of the district. This use would not be able to operate out of a structure used as a home in this district. That would constitute a home occupation and customers are not permitted to come to a home under the home occupation ordinance. Class sizes should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Some structures in the H district have considerable room and parking which would allow for large classes. But the opposite also holds true. Issues of this nature would be best determined in the Special Exception Use process rather than the text amendment process.

Application

Maria Lesh and Kristi Cutsforth are proposing an amendment to Section 22-25 H

historic district. The purpose of the amendment is to allow yoga and pilates as

a Special Exception Use. The text change will give individuals increased

access to the professional / upscale clientele that this use would serve but on

a case-by-case basis in an H zone. The Special Exception Use will allow the

Planning Division to assess the impact that this use could have on the

character of the district, public health, and safety.

Maps & Photos

N/A

No attachments for this document.