In order to grant the requested variances, the City Council must make a decision that is based upon all of the following findings required by the variance regulations of the Columbus Zoning Ordinance:
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The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public safety, health, or welfare or injurious to other property;
As such, the granting of the proposed variance will not adversely affect the
character, livability, or appropriate development of abutting properties or the
surrounding area, and will not be detrimental to the public welfare or
injurious to other property.
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The conditions upon which the request for a variance is based are unique to the property for which the variance is sought and are not applicable generally to other property;
Parcels A-3 and A-4 will have primary access off of an existing 50-foot access
easement. From there, a 50-foot access easement shall serve as the primary
right-of-entry for said Parcels, which do not have street frontage. None of
the aforementioned Parcels will front on a dedicated right-of-way. For this
reason, a variance is requested to waive the minimum street frontage
requirements. The proposed access easement would abut the subject property on
the northern property lines.
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Because of the particular physical surroundings, shape or topographical conditions of the specific property involved, a particular hardship to the owner would result, as distinguished from a mere inconvenience, if the strict letter of these regulations are carried out; and
The applicant owns a tract of land (167.82 acres). The primary use of the
property is undeveloped. The property owner?s intent to subdivide the
property is restricted due to lack of proper street frontage for Parcels A-3
and A-4. A hardship results on the property owner because the access easement
does not front on a dedicated public street. The proposed access easement must
fully comply with applicable street standards to ensure proper egress and
ingress onto the site. The applicant shall maintain the access easement.
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The variances will not in any manner vary the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan or Official Map.
Granting of the variance will not vary the provisions of the Unified
Development Ordinance. It will not alter the existing character of the
subdivision and retain the scope of the Unified Development Ordinance and
Comprehensive Plan.
The granting of this variance to waive the minimum street frontage requirement
will not detract from the intent and spirit of the Zoning Ordinance and will
not adversely impact the overall objectives of the area as outlined in the
Comprehensive Plan.
The property in which this parcel of land lies was developed (what little bit
that was developed) prior to the Unified Development Ordinance and was
consistent with the agricultural zoning requirements at the time. Because this
subdivision was created prior the inception of the UDO there are several
existing issues with fire access and protection with this subdivision. The
private easement that connects to Parcels A-3 and A-4 is a gravel road that is
well compacted and of sufficient width for a fire truck (per Fire/EMS).
However, where the access easements turns west and accesses the west portion of
the property, improvements shall have to be made to adequately address public
safety needs. The owner of this property lives on a 10-acre tract within the
167.82 acre parcels being subdivided (total of 177.82 acres). Therefore, there
are 2 existing lots: one with a home (10 acre lot) and the one is undeveloped
(167.82 acre lot). We feel that the creation of Parcels A-3 and A-4 do not
alter the use and/or character of the area.
Our main concern for this particular property and surrounding properties is
adequate fire protection for the citizens living in this subdivision. Tracts
A-3 and A-4 are not within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant and are 2.3 miles from
a fire station. Proximity to a fire station is excellent, but fire hydrant
distance may result in higher fire insurance premiums (due to time consumption)
but should not hinder overall fire protection.