Created on 04/17/2018

Agenda Item # 1

Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting

04/24/2018

Agenda Report # 110

TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Whitesville Walk Variance Request -1312 Woodville Court-Lot 15 C

INITIATED BY: Engineering Department

Recommendation: Approval is requested for a variance request for platting and development of Lot 15 C, Whitesville Walk, to Article 8 of Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) City Code Section 7.8.3 -Design Standards for Streets requiring the installation of a cul-de-sac when the logical extension of a subdivision is terminated.

Background: Section 7.8.3.H requires the developer to provide a cul-de-sac for a dead end street where the logical extension of the street is terminated due to lack of future access to adjoining property. The 2012 Fire Code requires a turnaround for any access roads in excess of 150 feet. Deputy City Manager Pam Hodge and representatives from Department of Engineering, Public Works and Fire/EMS met with the developer on Tuesday, April 17. The developer, Leary and Brown, Inc., has committed to construct a permanent barrier at the end of the existing road at 150' in order to comply with the Fire Code. Public Works has reviewed the process for solid waste pick up and did not anticipate any additional problems than exist today with the existing residences.

Analysis: During the original development approved it was proposed to extend the subdivision to the adjoining property for future expansion. The development was approved with a note that a temporary turn around would be required. Approval of the lot without a turnaround would be in violation of the UDO. It would also require ambulances, garbage trucks and other larger vehicles to reverse down the street or use private driveways to turn around. Engineering denied the approval due to it not meeting UDO code requirements. In subsequent conversations with the developer's representative, it is our understanding that is no longer feasible due to lack of interest by adjoining property owners. The developer has agreed to provide a temporary turn around or extend the street in accordance with the UDO requirements if they reach an agreement to acquire the adjoining property in the future. They also agree that such improvements will be completed within one year of the acquisition of the property. The City Manager recommends approval of the variance based on the developer's agreement with respect to the permanent barrier and requirements if they subsequently acquire the adjoining property.

Financial Considerations: Any future problems with the road being extended without a proper turn around would be at the expense of the City.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The City is responsible for maintenance of all public streets.

Legal Considerations: Council recently approved Ordinance No. 18-4 providing Council authority to grant variances to 7.8.3-Design Standards for Streets.

Recommendations/ Actions: Approval is requested for a variance request for platting and development of Lot 15 C, Whitesville Walk, to Article 8 of Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) City Code Section 7.8.3 -Design Standards for Streets requiring the installation of a cul-de-sac when the logical extension of a subdivision is terminated.

A RESOLUTION
NO. _____

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A VARIANCE TO COLUMBUS GEORGIA UDO SECTION 7.8.3 REQUIRING A PERMANENT CUL-DE-SAC OR TEMPORARY TURN-AROUND AT THE END OF A DEAD END STREET WHEN THE LOGICAL EXTENSION OF THE STREET IS TERMINATED; AUTHORIZE THE PLATTING AND DEVELOP LOT 15 "C", FOURTH ADDITION TO WHITESVILLE WALK WITHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY TURN-AROUND OR PERMANENT CUL-DE-SAC.

WHEREAS, James E. McVay representing the owner Leary & Brown, Inc. is the owner of the remnant Lot 15 "C" in the proposed Fourth Addition to Whitesville Walk; and,

WHEREAS, Section 7.8.3.H of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requires a cul-de-sac or temporary turn-around at the end of dead-end streets; and,

WHEREAS, there are no immediate plans to extend the street nor has a permanent or temporary cul-de-sac been provided; and,

WHEREAS, the owner of the lot has requested a variance to the requirement to provide a permanent or temporary turn-around in order to plat the lot and construct a single family residence.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That a variance to Columbus Georgia UDO Section 7.8.3.H is hereby granted to Leary & Brown, Inc. to plat and develop Lot 15 "C" in the Fourth Addition to Whitesville Walk without construction of a permanent cul-de-sac or temporary turn-around. The developer has agreed to install a permanent barrier at the end of the current street in compliance with the fire code and to provide a temporary turn around or extend the existing street within a year of acquisition, if they are able to acquire the adjoining property. Pursuant to Columbus Georgia UDO Section 7.8.3.K, this council finds as follows:

(1) Good and sufficient cause exists for the variance; and,

(2) Failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship; and,

(3) Council has received and reviewed recommendations of the Department of Engineering, the Department of Planning, the Department of Public Works, the Columbus Police Department and the Columbus Fire & EMS Department concerning this variance request; and,

(4) The grant of a variance will not interfere with the provision of City Services along the impacted street, inhibit the access of public safety vehicles into the affected area, result in extraordinary public expense or otherwise threaten the safety of the public.

___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the 24^thday of April, 2018 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of ____ members of said Council.

Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

_______________________________ ________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor