Petition for Variance - BZA Replacement for Fire Station No. 8 Proj No. 122-034

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Variance(s) - if applicable State statutes and the Zoning Ordinance require that certain standards must be met before a variance can be approved. Please address how the project meets the following criteria: (1) The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community, because: The requested variances for setbacks, driveway width, parking location and number of requested driveway openings, are a function of the fire station facility. The design was done to have the minimal impact on adjacent residential homes. As this new facility is replacing an existing fire station, the public's health, safety and welfare should not be adversely affected. (2) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a substantially adverse manner, because: As mentioned above, the design and placement of the new facility, parking area and driveways were done to maximize the buffer area between the new fire station its site improvements and the existing residential homes to the southwest of the property. (3) The strict application of the terms of this Chapter would result in practical difficulties in the use of the property, because: The strict application of the zoning development standards would make the ability of the new fire station to function efficiently which could negatively impact how quickly fire equipment and personnel can respond to a request for help for a fire or health emergency for city residents. (4) The variance granted is the minimum necessary, because: The requested variances are the minimum necessary to allow for the new facility to fit within the boundaries of the existing fire station property. The property does have a unique configuration as it borders on three public streets and the proposed design of the site was used to provide the maximum buffer for existing residential homes. (5) The variance does not correct a hardship caused by a former or current owner of the property, because: The proposed new fire station is a replacement of an old facility which does not function efficiently anymore and does not serve the neighborhood with the latest equipment and personnel for any potential safety emergencies.