Where practical difficulties and unnecessary hardships shall result from the strict compliance with or the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, the Board of Zoning Appeals, after public notice and hearing, shall have the power to grant variances in these height limitations in harmony with the general intent of the zoning ordinance and to secure the general welfare and substantial justice in the promotion of the public health, comfort, convenience, morals, safety and general welfare of the city. Such power shall include the power to exempt from these height limitations chimneys, elevator and stairway enclosures, cooling and ventilating towers and shafts and similar necessary service appurtenances which in total horizontal area do not exceed 20% of the horizontal roof area of a building.
(Ord. 5408, passed 8-14-1962)