(a) The City Council, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission by majority vote, shall have the power to authorize in special cases such variances from the terms, provisions, or requirements of the regulations as will not be contrary to the public interest, but only in such cases where, owing to exceptional topographic or other physical conditions pertaining to a specific piece of property, a literal enforcement of the provisions or requirements of these regulations will result in exceptional, practical difficulty or undue hardship so that the spirit of these regulations shall be observed, public safety and welfare secured, and substantial justice done.
(b) In recommending the granting of variances or modifications, the Planning Commission may require such conditions as will, in its judgment, secure substantially the objective of the standards or requirements so varied or modified.
(c) A petition for a variance shall be filed with the Planning Commission, which shall review the petition and forward to the City Council Planning and Development Committee the petition along with its recommendation concerning the petition. The Law Director shall prepare an ordinance and submit it to City Council.
(Ord. 12-02. Passed 7-8-02.)