The Council may authorize in specific cases following appeal and hearing a variance from the provisions of this chapter would result in a substantial inequitable hardship to an applicant property owner. In assessing hardship, the Council shall balance the severity of the physical, social and economic effects of the literal application against the interests of the city in effecting the purposes of this chapter as expressed above. Economic considerations alone shall not constitute a hardship if a reasonable use for the property exists under the terms of this chapter. No variance may be granted which would allow any use that is prohibited in the zoning district in which the subject property is located. A variance shall be granted in writing accompanied by specific findings of fact as to the necessity for the granting of the variance and its specific provisions.
(Prior Code, § 1004.11)