Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Public Hearing
February 24, 2016
Trustee Chairman William Rofkar called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Catawba Island Community Hall located at 3307 NW Catawba Road.
Trustees Present: William Rofkar, Gary Mortus, and Matt Montowski
Please see the attached sign in sheets which include signatures of 55 individuals in attendance.
William Rofkar explained the meeting was being held to hear the request of a minor deviation relating to placement of the proposed floating docks along the Gem Beach Channel as requested by Rick Stechschulte of Nor’Easter Club.
William Rofkar read correspondence received by the township from the following:
Doug Mocny
Thomas Weilbacher
Jim Marcinko
Bob Snyder
Jan and Rick Feasel
Cary Ferguson
Maureen Thayer-Funfgeld
Richard Lopta
Jack and Ginger Grummel, Steve and Megan Lovitt, Gem Beach Marina
R.W. Baker, Foxhaven Marina
Matt Montowski spoke about the Planned Unit Development (PUD) contract between the owner, the developer, and the township. He also explained what a minor deviation to a PUD is and the various items to be considered.
William Rofkar said that prior to 2008 the property in question had standard zoning. He said in 2007 the previous owner went through the lengthy process to establish a PUD and specifically requested the club property be included which made the density slightly higher allowing him to put more units on the property. William Rofkar said when the former owner made his presentation on November 11, 2008 the presentation slideshow stated that it reduced the number of boat docks at the club property by 20 docks. He said all of those items were considered prior to the owner receiving approval of the requested PUD.
William Rofkar asked the applicant to present his case.
Rick Stechschulte presented his case stating when he purchased the property in 2010 he first considered how he could make more docks for the club and make it safe. He said in an attempt to add docks and make the area safer he spoke with numerous engineers including: Army Corps of Engineers, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft and Division of
Wildlife, Ohio EPA, and other agencies within these agencies. Rick Stechschulte said he believes he has addressed all of the safety concerns because all the agencies he spoke with reviewed the proposed docks and they believe they are safe and he believes the proposed docks are safe. He shared a map of the area and talked about his property including how boats currently park three boats out parallel. Rick Stechschulte discussed the proposed buoys for marking the channel which he said he was offered a state grant to implement. He said marking the channel with buoys and parking boats in the proposed transient docks is safer than the present situation with boats parked three out parallel.
William Rofkar opened the floor to those in attendance and invited them to come forward and speak from the podium. The following individuals offered comments for the Trustees consideration:
Jim Radloff
Jim Marcinko
Steve Lovitt
Todd Jagucki
Mike Mabee
Austin Irving
Rick Runge
Mike Dudley
Gary Mortus made a motion to close the discussion to the floor for public comment.
Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Matt Montowski, Gary Mortus, and William Rofkar offered additional comments for consideration and discussed the case.
Matt Montowski made a motion to deny the minor deviation request from Steck’s Buckeye Storage LLC, Doing Business as Nor’Easter Club, to place the proposed docking system along the channel of the Nor’Easter adjacent to Gem Beach channel due to safety issues.
Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
_______________________________ ______________________________
William Rofkar, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer
ks