At a public hearing, board members approved three variances that clear the way for a single-family residence at 322 South Columbus Street by allowing a smaller lot and reduced front setbacks.

The variances, approved by a 4-0 vote, include an exception to the 7,500-square-foot minimum lot-size requirement (the lot is about 5,200 square feet) and reductions of required 25-foot front setbacks along both Columbus and Congress streets to allow a 10-foot setback on one side and a setback matching the adjacent northern property on the other side.

AJ, a staff member, opened the public hearing and described the request: “They need ... 1 for minimum lot size. This lot's currently about 5,200 square feet as opposed to the 7,500 minimum,” and explained the lot has two front setbacks along Columbus and Congress streets. The applicant intends to comply with all other applicable codes if the variances are approved.

Chris Wolf, a surveyor with Wunderlich Surveying and Engineering, described the applicant's plans and handed out an aerial exhibit to commissioners. Wolf said the applicant initially requested a 10-foot front setback from both Columbus and Congress streets and later agreed to “keep the 10 foot side setback request of Congress, but change the side setback of Columbus Street to match the property directly to the north. I can't tell you the exact dimension that is.”

Board members discussed site geometry, neighboring development and infrastructure. A board member advised the applicant to petition the city to extend curb and gutter to connect with existing improvements, saying that petitioners should “ask them to tax bill the cost of those 2 property lots,” a comment echoed by Michael Wagamuth, the property owner, who urged the same approach to fund curb-and-gutter work.

The board took three separate formal votes. The motion to waive the 7,500-square-foot lot-size requirement carried 4-0 (Ed Gass, Benton Kelly, Joe Gilderhouse and Chris Unterstahl voting yes). A motion to grant a 10-foot setback on the Congress Street side passed 4-0. A third motion to set the Columbus Street setback to match the residence immediately north of the parcel also passed 4-0.

Speakers urged that any new construction respect existing site conditions; the board noted the lot occupies the site of a house torn down after a flood (referred to in the record as the “Pink House”) and that nearby duplexes and a city alley affect parking and rear-yard access. The applicant and the board discussed approximate measurements on site work: Wolf estimated that matching the northern neighbor's setback would be approximately 15 feet but said a final dimension would be confirmed by a survey when the structure is sited.

The board closed the public hearing after discussing the three variance motions and moved on to other business. The applicant was reminded to submit final dimensions and to coordinate any curb, gutter or sidewalk connections with city departments if the building proceeds.