The city council may make such modifications in the requirements of this chapter or may grant such waivers or modifications of the determinations which are appealed to them hereunder as it shall determine to be required in order to prevent an unreasonable hardship under the facts of each case; provided, however, that each such modification or waiver shall be in conformity with the general spirit and intent of the requirements of this chapter. (Prior code § 78.01.140)