MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND TOWNSHIP BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
APRIL 8, 2026
Attendees
Jordan Market Cheryll Rose
Doug Shymske Helen Fagan
Chris Cellier Rodney Spatafore
Katrina Reed Karen Wise
Michelle Kokinda Dave Fankowich
Diane Belden
Chairman Brian Caldwell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Doug Blackburn, Rebecca Dubber, Bill Baker, Mike Schenk and Alternate Rick Smetzer. Todd Bickley, Secretary and Interim Zoning Inspector, was also in attendance.
Chairman Caldwell read through the meeting process.
Old Business
Case #233017 Rodney Spatafore & Katrina Reed
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to remove Case #233017 from the table, and the motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed.
Secretary Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose the installation of an accessory building (60’ x 80’) and they are requesting an area variance to exceed the accessory building height requirement from fifteen feet (15’) to twenty-two feet (22’) and exceed the cumulative square footage of accessory buildings from 750 square feet to 4,800 square feet. The property location is Section 26 of Catawba Island Township at 3595 E. Highland Drive.
Bill Baker recused himself and he was replaced by Alternate Richard Smetzer.
Secretary Bickley read a letter from Alison & Paul Perlasky.
Rodney Spatafore and Katrina Reed were sworn in by Chairman Caldwell.
Secretary Bickley explained that he has met with Mr. Spatafore and Ms. Reed and that an alternative to the variance application was the creation of a separate lot upon which the building, with suitable living area, would be placed. A concern is lot depth, with the township requiring 125 feet and the proposed lot would have 121 feet. However, a lot depth variance was obtained prior to the Spatafore/Reed lot was created reducing the lot depth from 125 feet to 121 feet. Mr. Bickley provided a copy of the zoning map which illustrates the lots on the north side of Highland Drive have a depth of 121 feet. Consequently, Secretary Bickley indicated that the lot depth of 121 feet would be required for the new lot as well as the remaining lot. The Board agreed.
Mr. Spatafore provided the Board with a drawing illustrating the proposed lot would have 140 feet of lot width and 121.71 feet of lot depth containing approximately 14,000 square feet. The remaining lot with the existing house would have 314 feet of lot width.
Doug Blackburn questioned Mr. Spatafore that he owns all the items to be placed in the barn. Mr. Spatafore indicated that he owns all the items.
Ms. Dubber commented that the new home cannot be rented short-term and Mr. Spatafore indicated that he has no interest in renting it on a short-term basis. Ms. Dubber noted she was concerned with neighbors looking at a warehouse. Ms. Reed indicated that she has talked to all the neighbors.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to continue the review of Case #233017 to the June 10, 2026 BZA meeting. The motion was seconded by Michael Schenk and the motion passed.
New Business
Case #233032 Douglas & Dana Shymske
Secretary Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose to install an accessory building (shed) and are requesting an area variance to reduce the side yard setback from five feet (5’) to two feet (2’). The property is located at 2745 E. Sand Road, also known as Lot 1 Pt Crescent Beach B 50ft (Lot 6 Sub A). The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Douglas Shymske was sworn in by Chairman Caldwell. Mr. Shymske indicated that he would like to install a 12’ x 16’ shed on the lot that has fifty feet (50’) of lot width. The shed would be between the house and the road and at the proposed location, the shed would not be that far in front of the house. The shed would be used for storage.
Mr. Baker questioned if the neighbor is okay with the proposal and Mr. Shymske indicated that the neighbor does not have any problems with the proposed location.
Ms. Dubber questioned if a deck is attached and Mr. Shymske indicated that it would and that it would make the shed look nice. Rebecca reviewed the sides of the shed. On the neighbor’s side, the shed would have pretend windows with hurricane shutters. Mr. Blackburn noted that the dimensions would be 16’ x 16’. The deck would be covered.
Mr. Blackburn questioned why not meet the five (5) foot requirement. Mr. Shymske commented that at the proposed location, the shed would aesthetically look better. The shed would not be directly in front of the house.
Chairman Caldwell closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on items 3, 4, and 5 by a 5 – 0 vote; agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on item 7; agreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on item 2, and disagreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on items 1 and 6.
Doug Blackburn made a motion to approve Case 233032 with the shed being 16’ x 16’. The motion was seconded by Rebecca Dubber and it passed by a 4 – 0. Chairman Caldwell did not vote.
Case #233033 Miller Boat Line
Secretary Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant has requested a use variance to allow two (2) electronic changeable copy signs at the Miller Boat Line property. The location is 5185 E. Water Street, also known as “Dock” N of Lots 6-8 Blk 6 Ottawa City (parcel #0131907331187000 and Parking Lot R-56 Tl 7 & 8 Ot (parcel #0131907331184000). The sign located on the “Dock” parcel contains 21 square feet and the sign situated on the Parking Lot parcel contains 31 square feet. The property is zoned “C-3” Highway Commercial District.
Doug Blackburn recused himself and he was replaced by Alternate Richard Smetzer.
Chairman Caldwell informed the Board that he had talked with the James VanEerten, Ottawa County Prosecutor, who indicated that the applicant must first prove that the zoning classification creates an unnecessary hardship. If the Board determines that an unnecessary hardship does not exist, its work is completed and the variance should be denied. It the Board deems that there is an undo burden, then the Finding of Fact would be reviewed. Also, the fact that the signs are already up should not be part of the Board’s consideration.
Jordan Market and Cheryll Rose were sworn in by Chairman Caldwell. Ms. Rose explained that the boat line operation is based on rapidly changing conditions due to weather conditions, Coast Guard MARSEC levels, lake conditions, mechanical conditions, fluctuating vehicle demand, ferry schedules, and staging requirements that acted upon in real time to provide safety and operational efficiency. Ms. Rose noted that the physical status of the dock requires clear communication due to large number of vehicles and passengers. Ms. Rose noted that static signage is insufficient for operational demands which creates a hardship that directly affects safety and efficiency of the public to access the transportation services.
Ms. Rose noted that Miller Boat Line is a public utility and the PUCO regulates ferry transportation. Miller Boar Line is mandated to provide the safety information to people quickly due to changing conditions to customers who may already be at the facility.
Chairman Caldwell questioned how the passengers were previously notified. Mr. Market noted that the previous notification was not effective. Passengers would show up and then they would be advised that the boats were on hold.
Mr. Market indicated that he is the security office and he commented that the Coast Guard dictates MARSEC Levels, which can change quickly. Rebecca questioned the meaning of changing MARSEC Levels. Mr. Market commented that MARSEC is the maritime security levels and Level 1 is minimum security; Level 2 is heightened risk and Level 3 is imminent threat. Mr. Market indicated that the boat line is required to have signage that identifies the current MARSEC Level. Mr. Market noted that based on the level, luggage and vehicles would be screened.
Secretary Bickley noted that if the use variance was approved, the applicant would then file zoning certificate applications.
Chairman Caldwell questioned advertising and Ms. Rose indicated that the parking lot sign is split into three (3) sections, and the outside sections would have the Put-In-Bay and Middle Bass Island schedules. The middle section would identify the Put-In-Bay events for that day. The signs would not be used for business advertising.
Mr. Schenk questioned the location of the MARSEC Levels on the sign. Ms. Rose noted that it would be placed at the bottom of the sign and people could be notified immediately.
Mr. Baker questioned if the signs would be turned off. Ms. Rose indicated that the signs would be turned off one (1) hour before the boat is scheduled to run and one (1) hour after the last ferry ends. The last ferry from Catawba Island is 9:30 p.m. on a summer weekend and Ms. Rose commented that the sign could be shut down less than one (1) hour if necessary. The purpose for the extra hour is so that information is provided to those who may miss the last boat.
Mr. Baker questioned similar applications that have been submitted for BZA consideration. Secretary Bickley noted that the Church has submitted two (2) separate applications and both have been turned down.
Mr. Baker indicated that he contacted PUCO and they were very supportive of the new signage.
Ms. Dubber questioned the signs’ brightness and whether the signs were not intended to be read by those driving by. Ms. Rose stated the signs are for those walking and the brightness can be adjusted and the sign’s locations does not directly impact the vehicular traffic.
Chairman Caldwell closed the discussion from the floor.
Ms. Dubber expressed concern with other businesses wanting similar signage and the regulations prohibit changeable copy signs and Ms. Dubber felt that the signs do not rise to the level of unnecessary hardship. Ms. Dubber also expressed a concern with precedent.
Mr. Baker commented that signs look good but is concerned with setting a precedent.
Ms. Rose noted that the Miller Boat Line is PUCO regulated and that no other business on Catawba Island is regulated by PUCO. By allowing these signs the township would not be allowing everyone the same type of signage.
Mr. Market noted that the Coast Guard likes the new signage and the ability to update security levels on the signs.
Mr. Baker commented that he would like to table the application and talk with the County Prosecutor about precedent setting and concerning PUCO and the Coast Guard requiring the information to be presented to the passengers. The sign does not flash and it does not move. The only time it changes is when the schedules change or a situation which requires an update.
Bill Baker made a motion to table Case #233033 until the next meeting so that the Board can talk to the County Prosecutor concerning PUCO and the Coast Guard information requirements. The motion was seconded by Richard Smetzer and the motion passed 3 – 1 with Michael Schenk voting against the motion.
Other Business
Secretary Bickley informed the Board that the township has hired a new zoning inspector, Jean Hartline. Secretary Bickley indicated that he will be resigning his position as Secretary after the May 13th meeting.
Minutes – March 11, 2026
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve the March 11, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Michael Schenk. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn and the motion passed. The meeting ended at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________ ____________________
Brian Caldwell, Chairman Todd Bickley, Secretary