MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
Attendees
Shannon Pilny Tony Corona
Robert Adams Cindy Adams
Jana Snyder Brian Snyder
John Eymann Mark Messa
Jennifer Bolyos Paul Clark
Paul Gruttadauria
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 and Bill Baker. Todd Bickley, Interim Zoning Inspector/Secretary and Trustee Chris Cellier were also in attendance.
Chairman Caldwell read through the meeting process.
New Business
Case #233012 Robert & Cynthia Adams
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose a deck addition and they are requesting an area variance to exceed the lot coverage requirement of thirty-nine percent (39%) to forty-six percent (46%). The property is located at 1580 N. Starboard Avenue, also known as Lot 120 of Harbor Park Marina Inc. 6A Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Robert Adams was sworn in by Chairman Caldwell. Mr. Adams indicated that they would like to add a 300 square foot deck.
Chairman Caldwell questioned if the deck is within the setbacks. Mr. Adams indicated that it is within the setbacks.
Doug Blackurn questioned if the deck would be open air and Mr. Adams noted that the deck will have railings, but will not be roofed.
Bill Baker questioned if approval has been obtained from the HOA and Mr. Adams commented that approval has been obtained.
Chairman Caldwell closed discussion form the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 3 – 0 vote on Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 and disagreed with the applicant by a 3 – 0 vote on Item 6.
Doug Blackburn made a motion to approve Case #233012 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. The motion passed 2 – 0 with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Caldwell did not vote.
Case #233013 Jennifer Bolyos
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant proposes to install a new home and is requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback (off of Starboard Avenue right-of-way line) from thirty-five feet (35’) to two feet (2’). The property is located at 1680 N. Starboard Avenue, also known as Lot 130 of Harbor Park Marina Inc. 6A Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Jennifer Bolyos was sworn in by Chairman Caldwell. Ms. Bolyos indicated that a new house will be constructed and that she is asking to reduce the setback off the road from thirty-five feet (35’) to two feet (2’). The reduction will allow a garage to be attached to the house.
Mr. Baker questioned if the proposal has been approved by the HOA. Ms. Bolyos commented that the house has been approved by the HOA. Mr. Baker questioned if the house will be two (2) stories and Ms. Bolyos noted that it will be a story and a half and the house will be stick built.
Chairman Caldwell closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 by a 3 – 0 vote; disagreed with the applicant on Item 7 by a 3 – 0 vote.
Doug Blackburn made a motion to approve Case #233013 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. The motion passed 2 – 0 with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Caldwell did not vote.
Case #233014 Gerald & Shari Corona
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose a home addition and they are requesting an area variance to reduce the north side yard setback from ten feet (10’) to 7’-11”. The property is located at 5140 North Point Drive, also known as proposed Lot 38 of Catawba Bay Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Gerald Corona was sworn in by Chairman Caldwell. Mr. Corona commented that he had reached out to the HOA requesting correspondence and received none; however, he was given correspondence before the meeting started that indicated the HOA denied his building plans for the proposed addition.
Mr. Corona commented that he likes where he lives and he reviewed a drawing of the proposed addition. Mr. Corona indicated that both neighbors had no problem with the addition and noted that the driveway can go up to the property line.
Mr. Caldwell question if the garage is a single car garage. Mr. Corona commented that a two-car garage currently exists and that the addition would be a single car with a master suite in the addition’s rear.
Mr. Baker questioned the width and Mr. Corona indicated that the addition’s width at the front will be thirteen feet (13’) and the garage door width will be eight feet (8’).
Mr. Blackburn questioned if the addition could be moved back and Mr. Corona noted that it could not due to the roof lines. Mr. Baker questioned if the addition could be angled and Mr. Corona commented that would not work and that he has worked with the architect and tried different scenarios. Mr. Corona noted that the addition will be within the pine tree that is located on the property.
Mr. Corona questioned if any other variances in the area has been approved. Mr. Bickley noted that he was aware of two rear yard variances that were approved by the township: 5334 and 5335 Blue Teal.
Brian Snyder was sworn in by Chairman Caldwell. Mr. Snyder is an adjacent property owner to Mr. Corona and commented that he is in favor of the addition, which does not block a view. The lot is situated on a cul-de-sac.
John Eymann was sworn in by Chairman Caldwell. Mr. Eymann, representing the HOA, indicated that he is new to the process and that he replaced Mike Prosser. Mr. Eymann noted that the intent is to follow the design standards and the board was concerned with setting a precedent.
Mr. Corona questioned why he was not contacted and Mr. Eymann apologized for that.
Mr. Snyder noted that the biggest concern was building views and that each lot would need to be considered separately.
The Board noted that they do not enforce private restrictions and that the township could approve the application even though the HOA has denied it.
Doug Blackbun made a motion to continue application review at its March 11th meeting. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Old Business
No old business to conduct.
Other Business
No other business to conduct.
Approval of Minutes – January 14, 2026
The minutes for the January 14, 2026 meeting was mailed to each member. Doug Blackburn moved to approve the January 14, 2026 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Doug Blackburn moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________ ________________
Brian Caldwell, Chairman Todd Bickley, Secretary