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Board approves variances for Lehi Office development near I‑270
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Summary
The Hilliard Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances for the Lehi Office Development at 4421 Riggins Court to waive the brick exterior requirement and relax several parking, landscaping and tree‑replacement rules; staff found the design met the code’s intent despite the material variance.
HILLIARD, Ohio — The Hilliard Board of Zoning Appeals voted April 16 to approve variances for the Lehi Office Development at 4421 Riggins Court, a flex‑office building that fronts Interstate 270.
Planning staff (John) told the board the irregular lot and existing easements along the I‑270 frontage limit planting and layout options, and that a number of existing on‑site trees are prohibited species under the city’s replacement calculation. Staff said the raw total was 654 caliper inches of trees on site; excluding prohibited species reduced the replacement requirement to 284.5 caliper inches. The applicant’s plan proposed 275 caliper inches in replacement trees; staff recommended adding four more trees totaling 10 caliper inches along city property at the south end to meet intent without imposing an impractical burden.
The staff report also noted the code’s new IFE zoning district includes an exterior‑brick requirement. Staff described the building’s precast concrete finishes, color changes and vertical elements as meeting the code’s architectural intent and said the Planning Commission had recommended approval with conditions. “We don’t think the brick is necessary on this because the architectural design is of high quality,” staff said.
Adam Mandel, representing the developer, said he had no additions beyond staff’s report and was available to answer questions.
After brief board discussion and a motion to approve variances that would eliminate the brick requirement and reduce minimum parking setbacks, replacement‑tree caliper inches, perimeter landscaping and off‑street parking counts — including the conditions in the staff report — the board voted 7‑0 to approve the request.
The motion’s conditions require follow‑through on the Planning Commission’s recommended adjustments to the west elevation and the additional plantings. The board’s approval applies to the requested zoning variances; any building permits or code compliance follow separately.
