Plans for a new Dollar General in Columbus Township moved forward this week.
The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals approved a development standards variance request to reduce the parking lot setback required by the zoning ordinance from 10 feet to 4 feet.
The request was made by Kentucky-based Rafferty Development who is redeveloping property at 905, 915 and 945 Jonesville Road in Columbus Township. The parcels are currently unplatted, and will eventually become a 10,640-square-foot Dollar General, according to city documents.
A representative for the applicant, Will McDonough of Corydon-based engineering firm Paul Primavera & Associates, wrote in a document submitted to planning that the strict application of the zoning ordinace “will result in a practical hardship for the development of the subject property” because the 10-foot setback requirement would ultimately result in reducing the amount of usable space, leading to an inadequate amount of space for parking.
The parcels currently have three single-family dwelling and four accessory dwellings, but all are vacant.
The board was to consider if the developmental standards variance request met each of the following criteria, based upon the zoning ordinance:
- The proposal will not be injurious to the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community.
- The development of the property will be consistent with the intent of the development standards established by the zoning ordinance for similar uses.
- Granting the conditional use will not be contrary to the general purposes served by the zoning ordinance, and will not permanently injure other property uses or uses in the same zoning district and vicinity.
- The proposed use will be consistent with the character of the zoning district in which it is located and the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan.
