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JAA Rentals, LLC Variance Request - 927 5th Street South - Establish a 5' landscaping space and 23 space parking lot
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Summary:
The applicant is seeking two (2) variance requests associated with converting a previously owner-occupied unit to a rental unit within an apartment complex.
Background:
The property is located on the northwest quadrant of Medary Avenue and 5th Street South and is zoned R-3A. An apartment was constructed on the property in 1964 with a second apartment building constructed in 1973. One floor of the apartment building was owner-occupied and was not subject to the parking requirements of the zoning ordinance. The property recently changed ownership and the new owners would like to rent the four bedroom unit that was previously occupied.
A change in use for the unit from owner-occupied to a rental unit requires compliance with the zoning ordinance. This change triggers compliance with the parking and landscaping requirements for the property.
The property consists of four 2-bedroom units, five 1-bedroom units, and one 4-bedroom unit requiring a total of 27 off-street parking spaces. The owner is proposing 23 parking spaces. The current parking lot is a gravel parking lot up to the west property line. The landscaping regulations require a greenspace area consistent with the side yard setback, which is 7 feet in this district. The applicant is requesting a variance to the greenspace requirements to allow 5 feet of landscaping rock along the west property line.
Variance Criteria:
1. Due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and the variance shall not violate the spirit of the ordinance and substantial justice may be achieved as a result of the variance.
The apartment buildings were constructed prior to the landscaping regulations taking effect. The existing parking lot extends almost to the west property line and the proposal would provide ...
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