MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
MARCH 11, 2026
Attendees
Sean Reilly Deanne Kramer
Jeff Green Shirley Green
Bob D’Alessandro Annie D’Alessandro
Tom Sandes Eleanor Sandes
Anthony Matalavage Jeff Whitesell
Donley McCoy Linda McCoy
Michelle Kokinda Karen Wise
Katrina Reed Rod Spatafore
Pete Kowal Laura Gressman
Brock Gressman Dave Karkwove
Vice-Chairman Doug Blackburn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Rebecca Dubber, Bill Baker and Mike Schenk. Todd Bickley, Interim Zoning Inspector/Secretary was also in attendance.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn read through the meeting process.
Old Business
Case #233014 Gerald & Shari Corona
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose a home addition and they were originally requesting an area variance to reduce the north side yard setback from ten feet (10’) to 7’-11”. An amended site plan has been submitted that reduces the north side yard setback from ten feet (10’) to nine feet (9’). The property is located at 5140 North Point Drive, also known as Lot 38 of Catawba Bay Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Secretary Bickley noted that he received an email form John Eymann, representing the Catawba Bay HOA, stating that the revised plans submitted by Mr. Corona for the proposed house addition was approved by the HOA. The setback variance request was reduced to four inches (4”). Mr. Bickley indicated that he was also contacted by the applicant and that the revised plan emailed to the zoning office matches the site plan approved by the HOA.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 0 vote on Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 and disagreed with the applicant by a 3 – 1 vote on Item 6.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve Case #233014 as amended (reduction of north side yard setback from ten feet (10’) to nine feet (9’) and the motion was seconded by Bill Baker. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Case #233017 Rodney Spatafore & Katrina Reed
Todd 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. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Robert Spatafore was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Spatafore stated that he would like to place an accessory building, 60’ x 80’ (4,800 square feet), on his property. The ceilings would be twelve feet (12’) in height and the structure would be used for storage.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn questioned the size and Mr. Spatafore noted that the buildings never seem to be large enough with the items that would be stored. Mr. Spatafore commented that the items to be stored include a car collection and the snow plow. Mr. Spatafore indicated that he plows the private road for the homeowners. Mr. Spatafore would also have a woodworking area. Mr. Spatafore indicated that he does not want it to look shoddy and he noted that his lot contains 1.25 acres, which is not small.
Ms. Dubber commented that the request is about six (6) times larger than allowed. Mr. Spatafore noted that the lot is a nice piece of property and that this is a large lot. Ms. Dubber questioned if there would be a commercial operation and Mr. Spatafore indicated there would not be a commercial operation. The building’s purpose is to have everything sitting outside to be placed in an enclosed building. Ms. Dubber commented that a review of the proposed building plans make it look like a commercial building. Mr. Spatafore noted that the building would have overhangs and the roof would have several sky lights.
Mr. Schenk questioned landscaping and Mr. Spatafore indicated that landscaping will be installed.
Mr. Baker commented that the building cannot become a repair shop and he questioned how to keep it from turning into a commercial operation. Mr. Spatafore noted that zoning would not allow a commercial operation.
Ms. Dubber questioned if Mr. Spatafore talked with his neighbors and Mr. Spatafore indicated that he has talked with his neighbors.
Laura Gressman was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Ms. Gressman questioned the building’s location. Mr. Spatafore indicated that it would be between his house and his east property line, which would be forty feet (40’) off of Ms. Gressman’s west property line, and be just to the west of the house across the street. A site plan was included with the application.
Donley McCloy was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. McCloy indicated that he did not live in the neighborhood but commented that the applicant was willing to invest the money and make it look nice for the neighbors and that the building would be okay.
Mr. Spatafore commented that he will not start a business from this property.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn closed discussion form the floor.
Mr. Baker commented the building will be three (3) times bigger than his home. Ms. Dubber expressed concern about the size and the building does not match the neighborhood. Mr. Schenk questioned if there was a plan B. Mr. Spatafore indicated that there was not a plan B and that the building should enhanced the neighborhood.
Mr. Baker questioned if the building was connected to the house would the size limitation apply and Mr. Bickley indicated the size limitation and the building height variance would not be needed. Mr. Spatafore commented that this option would not work.
Bill Baker made a motion to table Case #233017 and the motion was seconded by Mike Schenk. The motion passed 3 – 0 with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Case #233018 Anthony A. Matalavage III
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant proposes to install a screened in patio and is requesting an area variance to reduce the side yard setback from six feet (6’) to five feet (5’) and exceed the lot coverage requirement of thirty-six percent (36%) to 40.7%. The property is located at 2951 N. Chickadee Drive, also known as Lot 9 of Harbor Estates Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Anthony Matalavage III was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Matalavage indicated that he proposes to take the existing patio and expand it by one (1) foot to the north and expand it to the east so that it will be 11’ x 24’ in size and build a roof over the patio with no sides.
Mr. Matalavage reviewed the enlargement with the Board.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn 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 7 by a 4 – 0 vote and disagreed with the applicant on Item 6 by a 3 – 1 vote.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve Case #233018 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mike Schenk. The motion passed 3 – 0 with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Case #233020 Robert & Annie D’Alessandro
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose a garage addition to the home and they are requesting an area variance to reduce the west side yard setback from eight feet (8’) to six feet (6’). The property is located at 3661 E. Wildwood Drive, also known as Lot 12 and the east half of Lot 14 of Wildwood Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Robert D’Alessandro was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. D’Alessandro indicated the proposal is to add a second bay to the west side of the home. Other options were considered. The additional two feet (2’) provides the room to park a car and the HOA will approve if the township approves. Mr. D’Alessandro noted that two (2) aerial photographs were included with the application, which shows existing houses and garages in the area closer to the property line than what is being requested.
Pete Kowal was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Kowal noted that he is the adjacent lot to the west and he noted that his house is currently eight feet (8’) from the property line. Mr. Kowal commented that no other homes are that close to the property line along Wildwood Drive. Mr. Kowal expressed concern with safety and fire hazard and he noted that the applicants recently built the home and now wish to add to the existing home.
Mr. Baker questioned Mr. Kowal’s frontage and Mr. Kowal indicated that it is the same as the D’Alessandro’s.
Ms. Dubber questioned if the house was built by the applicants and Mr. D’Alessandro indicated that they had the house built.
Mr. Baker questioned if there would be a new roof line and Mr. D’Alessandro noted there would be a new roof line.
Shirley Green was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Ms. Green indicated that she lives across the street one (1) lot down and that the home is beautiful. Ms. Green questioned if the trees and bushes would be saved and Mr. D’Alessandro commented that new landscaping would be added, but some of the trees would need to be removed.
Ms. Dubber commented on the existing pathway and questioned if a new one would be installed. Mr. D’Alessandro stated that a door would be added to the back of the garage and possibly a stoned paved area would be added within the six (6) foot setback area.
Mr. McCloy indicated that he lives directly across the street and commented that the D’Alessandro’s have a nice house and had the house built and are the same people to who will do the extension. Mr. McCloy noted that there would be a total of fourteen feet between the two homes, which is not a problem for fire safety.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn closed discussion from the floor.
Ms. Dubber commented that there may be space in the back versus along the side of the house.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items 1, 3, and 5 by a 4 – 0 vote; disagreed with the applicant on Items 2 and 6 by 3 – 1 vote; and voted 2 – 2 on Items 4 and 7.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to disapprove Case #233020 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mike Schenk. The motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Case # 233021 R&R Bolting & Tie Rod MTCE (Sean Reilly)
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant proposes to replace a mobile home with a 26.8’ x 60’ manufactured home and is requesting an area variance to reduce the setback off of Johnson Avenue from thirty-five feet (35’) to fifteen feet (15’). The property location is Lot 52 of Harbor Park Marina – Plat 3 and the address is 4835 E. Johnson Avenue. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
Secretary Bickley read a letter of support from Doreen Cannon, located at 4825 E. Johnson Avenue and a letter from Tom & Eleanor Sandes, located at 4845 E. Johnson Avenue, recommending that the application be denied.
No Board member had a conflict.
Sean Reilly was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Reilly indicated that the old 1968 mobile home will be replaced with a new manufactured home of similar size to his neighbor. Mr. Reilly commented that the home will enhance the property and a survey was completed. Mr. Reilly noted that there are structures in the neighborhood that are closer to the property line than what he is proposing.
Mr. Baker questioned the size and Mr. Reilly noted that the mobile home was 12’ x 67’ and will be replaced with a manufactured home containing 1,368 square feet. Ms. Dubber questioned if it will be on the footprint of the existing mobile home. Mr. Reilly commented that it will; however, it will be closer to the road than the trailer.
Tom Sandes was sworn in by Chairman Blackburn.
Chairman Blackburn questioned Mr. Sandes location and Mr. Sandes indicated that he was an adjacent property owner located to the east of Mr. Reilly.
Ms. Dubber questioned Mr. Sandes letter and how the new home location would cause a security concern. Mr. Sandes indicated that the home would stick out and block his house.
The Board questioned if it were possible to move it closer toward the canal and it was noted that the water setback was thirty-five feet (35’) and it was intended to not get any closer to the canal.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items 3, 4, 5, and 7 by a 4 – 0 vote; agreed with the applicant on Item 2 by a 3 – 1 vote; and disagreed with the applicant on Items 1 and 6 by a 4 – 0 vote.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve Case #233021 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mike Schenk. The motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Other Business
No other business to conduct.
Approval of Minutes – February 11, 2026
The minutes for the February 11, 2026 meeting was mailed to each member. Rebecca Dubber moved to approve the February 11, 2026 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Mike Schenk. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Rebecca Dubber moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mike Schenk. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________ _________________
Brian Caldwell, Chairman Todd Bickley, Secretary