Variance Application

City of Venus Civic Center
Civic Center

Variance

Applicability. Variances are a process to provide relief from a strict interpretation of the standards of any ordinance (e.g. Subdivision Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance), which when applied to a particular property and in a specific context would create practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship on all reasonable use of the property. Variances may be initiated by the property owner or authorized agent.

A variance shall be reviewed and approved only on the finding that all of the following conditions are met:

  1. The requested variance arises from exceptional physical conditions that are unique to the subject property, that are not ordinarily found in the same zoning district, and that are not created by the property owner ot those acting on behalf of the property owner;
  2. The strict application of the provisions of the Subdivision Ordinance or Zoning Ordinance regulations for which the variance is requested will constitute an unnecessary hardship upon the property owner, hindering the ability to legally use or construct upon the property. Economic considerations alone shall not constitute an unnecessary hardship if a reasonable use of the property exists under the standards of the Subdivision or Zoning ordinances;
  3. The granting of the variance will not adversely affect the rights of the adjacent property owners or residents;
  4. The variance desired will not adversely affect the public health,safety, or general welfare ; and
  5. Granting the variance would not alter the essential character of the surrounding neighborhood, and the general spirit of the ordinance and intent of the standards will be maintained.