Special Exceptions

SEC. 51A-10.110. SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS.

(a) In general and landscaping.

(1) The board may grant a special exception to the requirements of Division 51A-10.100 and Division 51A-10.120, other than fee and notice requirements, upon making a special finding from the evidence presented that:

(A) strict compliance with the requirements of Division 51A-10.100 or Division 51A-10.120 will unreasonably burden the use of the property;

(B) the special exception will not adversely affect neighboring property; and

(C) the requirements are not imposed by a site-specific landscape plan approved by the city plan commission or city council.

(2) In determining whether to grant a special exception under Paragraph (1), the board shall consider the following factors:

(A) The extent to which there is residential adjacency.

(B) The topography of the site.

(C) The extent to which landscaping exists for which no credit is given under this article.

(D) The extent to which other existing or proposed amenities will compensate for the reduction of landscaping.

(b) In general and urban forest conservation.

(1) The board may grant a special exception to the requirements of Division 51A-10.130, other than fee and notice requirements, upon making a special finding from the evidence presented that:

(A) strict compliance with the requirements of Division 51A-10.130 will unreasonably burden the use of the property;

(B) the special exception will not adversely affect neighboring property; and

(C) the requirements are not imposed by a site-specific landscape plan or tree mitigation plan approved by the city plan commission or city council.

(2) In determining whether to grant a special exception under Paragraph (1), the board shall consider the following factors:

(A) The extent to which there is residential adjacency.

(B) The topography of the site.

(C) The extent to which landscaping exists for which no credit is given under this article.

(D) The ability to plant replacement trees safely on the property.

(E) The extent to which alternative methods of replacement will compensate for a reduction of tree mitigation or extended time for tree replacement.