Columbus zoning panel approves multiple variances, tables Cleveland Avenue car‑wash proposal

A city zoning panel considered more than a dozen cases at a public hearing and approved most requests for variances and special permits while tabling one high‑profile car‑wash application for additional study.

The board approved variances or special permits for several small commercial and residential projects, including a storage‑container/site‑layout variance at 2740 Airport Drive that carried conditions requiring a cross‑access easement and screening, and a five‑year special permit to allow a portable building used as a food truck to remain overnight at a Solberry Boulevard site. A proposed new car wash at 6285 Cleveland Avenue drawn substantial discussion and was tabled for more information and negotiation with neighboring property owner Home Depot and local advisory groups.

The hearing covered a mix of routine and contested items: rear‑yard and setback reductions for a planned single‑family subdivision on Shannon Road; lot‑split and setback approvals for several small residential infill projects; a garage expansion in Clintonville; and a number of administrative cleanups to legitimize existing structures. Staff recommendations and neighborhood area commission positions were read into the record for each application and were a factor in how the panel framed its votes.

Votes at a glance - 2740 Airport Drive (aisle/maneuvering and storage‑setback variances): Approved with two conditions — (1) grant a cross‑access/cross‑maintenance easement between the contiguous parcels to preserve maneuvering; and (2) screen the storage containers from the public right of way by earth berming, vegetation, or decorative fences/walls. Recorded board comments indicate staff found the aisle/maneuvering issue to be an existing condition, and the applicant agreed to the conditions during the hearing. Named votes recorded in the transcript: Mister Waldo — yes; Mister John — yes; Chair (recorded)…