Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Zoning Hearing
The Zoning Hearing was called to order by Matt Montowski on Tuesday December 16, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building. The purpose of the meeting was to hear the Request for Zoning Amendment (Case #737779) for H.T. Properties, Inc. This was a continuation from the December 9, 2025 meeting due to a trustee having a previous engagement that day to where she could not attend the entire meeting and vote on the issue. The meeting was open to the public, advertised and letters were sent out to adjacent property owners.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Shelly Garcia, Vicki Wheatley, Drew Bauer, Quintin Smith, Jim DeNu, Gary Boltz, Greg Boltz, John Memmer, Ann Rumpf, Barb Osterling, Flint Heidlebaugh, William Baker, David Belden, Maryalice Francis, Claudia Anastasopoulos, John Hall, Chris Cellier, Molly Decker, Mark Decker, Mark Russell, Kim Mullholland, Everett Robinson, Scott Hines, and Ellin Shevchuk
Matt asked the Fiscal Officer to read the minutes from the December 9, 2025 Zoning Hearing to update everyone on application #737779 and what the applicant, Scott Prephan, is requesting to amend. (They are requesting a zoning map amendment for part of Parcel #0131960528018003 and part of Parcel #0131960528018001 from the “A” district to “C-4” district).
Drew Bauer then read a prepared statement to the trustees outlining his opposition to this zoning amendment. He stated that the owner, Scott Prephan, has made mention of putting condos on the parcels in question. He stated he is not opposed to the owner putting a pool and restaurant on the land but not condos which seems now to be the intent. He urges the trustees to consider opposition of this request as it is the first step in condos lining these parcels and changing the Catawba landscape that we all know and love.
A letter from Ann Rumpf was also read. She is requesting the trustees to consider placing a condition on this request stating no condos can be built to keep it from becoming a high-density area of condos and multi-unit dwellings on the water.
Jim DeNu submitted a letter. He is urgently requesting the board to take an official position supporting the need for a legally binding development restriction. He stated that the owner, Mr. Prephan has previously stated that his intent is not to build condos on these parcels. However, on the Coldwell Banker Reality website, Phase Two of Parcel 1 shows high-density condos situated within and over this body of water. He gave examples for local traffic challenges & aging infrastructure strain that this will have on the area. He also submitted a map to show the area in question.
Matt then addressed the audience and gave details on what the township is legally allowed to do in these situations. He stated that townships have to follow the Ohio Revised Code in making all decisions. He addressed Ann Rumpf’s request to put conditions on the zoning amendment request. He stated that trustees cannot limit or restrict something that is a permitted use in a zoning classification. The applicant is not making a use variance request; he is requesting to rezone his property. Trustees are not permitted to place conditions on a zoning amendment. What needs to be looked at and considered is whether or not the request meets the land use plan.
William Rofkar stated that we cannot make up our own rules, we are bound by ORC and other laws regarding housing and property owner rights. He stated the trustees work with Ottawa Co. Regional Planning and they give guidelines and direction on exactly how they can do things.
Ann Rumpf asked by we can’t just leave it zoned “A” Agricultural? Matt stated that property owners have the right to ask for rezoning of their property. The trustees then look at what is appropriate and what is not appropriate as well as what is defendable in court. He stated this is an appropriate ask as the rest of the property surrounding that area is zoned “C-4”.
William stated if the trustees do not follow their own land use plan and zoning code, that would have consequences. One of them being that if they go against their own zoning plan, they could be found guilty of “spot zoning” and the entire zoning code on Catawba could be eliminated all together for a period of one year or longer. This would mean there would be no zoning at all on Catawba until the zoning plan was redone and then placed on the ballot to go up for vote. If you have no zoning then people would be able to build whatever they want, wherever they want. This is why it is so important for the trustees to work within the guidelines of the law to do what is legal in cases like this.
Other members of the audience had additional comments and questions. Most opposing the application to change from “A” to “C-4” as they fear condos will be built on that parcel.
An audience member asked Mark Russell (the representative for Mr. Prephan) if they would be willing to place a condition on the parcel stating that he would not build condos. He stated that they would not.
William also stated that he didn’t even know if condos could be built on that small piece property as it is in the water and the Army Corpse of Engineers would have to get involved and there are all types of restrictions, requirements and setbacks that would have to be looked at.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve zoning application #737779 to rezone part of the two parcels from “A” to “C-4”. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden then made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 10:16 a.m.
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William Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer