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Board approves setback variance for 500 East Columbus Street to allow detached garage
Summary
A local variance hearing approved BZANumber26003, reducing the east-side setback at 500 East Columbus Street to 0 feet to allow a detached garage. The board found the applicant demonstrated practical difficulty and neighborhood consistency and approved the motion by voice vote.
A local zoning hearing approved a variance to reduce the east-side setback at 500 East Columbus Street to 0 feet so David and Eileen Shumway can build a detached garage.
The applicant, David Shumway, told the board he and his wife live at 500 East Columbus Street and are requesting the variance because the narrow lot and the location of a telephone pole make a rear or alley approach impractical. "We're here on an appeal to reduce the setback on this the east side of our property from existing 5 feet to 0 because we want to build a detached garage," Shumway said, adding that nearby properties have garages with 0 setbacks and that neighbors support the proposal.
The presiding official explained the board must make three findings of fact to approve a variance: that approval will not harm public health, safety or welfare; that neighboring property values and the character of the area will not be negatively affected; and that strict application of the zoning ordinance would result in practical difficulties for the property. The official noted the applicant's packet addresses those points and described the parcel as narrower than the ordinance minimum lot width of 65 feet (the transcript’s exact narrower-by amount was unclear in the record).
After discussion, a member moved to accept the applicant's proposal; it was seconded and the board approved the motion by voice vote. The transcript records multiple "aye" responses and no recorded opposition.
The board’s approval applies to docket BZANumber26003, described in the record as a development standards variance for the east-side setback at 500 East Columbus Street. The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript does not record a full roll-call tally tied to individual member names for that motion.
Next steps: the board approved the variance at the meeting; any required permit applications, inspections or administrative filings were not detailed in the record and therefore are not specified here.
