Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2025
The Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees held a Zoning Hearing regarding the Island Pines Planned Unit Development. It was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, March 25, at 8:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Shelly Garcia, Dorthy Baker, William Baker, Dan Konschak, Terree Lasko, Todd Jagucki, Troy Wittman, Jordan Davenport, Todd Bickley and Mike Weichert.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Matt Montowski stated that this is case #737635 for the proposed planned unit development for Island Pines. The owner of record is FCN Investments out of New Franklin, Ohio. And the meeting has been properly advertised in the newspaper.
DGL Consulting Engineers are in attendance and are submitting the request for approval from the trustees for the planned unit development in the Township’s Residential Estate (R-E) District. They submitted their responses to the Township Regulations included below in italics.
–Regulation 1: Permitted Uses- PUD
Island Pines is a PUD
–Regulation 2: Types of Uses Permitted: a(1) Detached single-family dwellings
Island Pines will only have detached single-family dwelling
–Regulation 3: Development Standards
3.a.1 Lot area, width, and depth -Residential PUD minimum area is 5 acres.
Island Pines covers 7.42 acres.
3.a.2 When PUD is mixture of residential and commercial…
This does not apply to Island Pines-there is only residential use.
3.a.3 The area of a PUD must be an integral tract.
Island Pines is an integral tract.
3.a.4 Minimum lot width of a PUD is 200 feet.
The width of Island Pines is roughly 363 feet.
3.a.5 Each lot shall have a minimum width of 60 feet and a minimum area of 7,000 square feet.
The lots in Island Pines vary in width from 75 feet to 145 feet and vary in square footage from 16,505 square feet to 22,447 square feet.
–Regulation 4: Density
4a. In the center of the township, PUD density is permitted to be 1.5 dwellings per acre of land.
Island Pines has 10 units over 7.42 acres, which is less than the maximum permitted density. (7.42 acres x 1.5 dwellings = 11.13 maximum dwellings allowed)
4b. Phasing
Does not apply to Island Pines
4c. Clustering
Does not apply to Island Pines
4d. The maximum density allowed is 11 units.
Island Pines has 10 units, which is less then the maximum allowed.
–Regulation 5: Common Open Space
Common open space should be easy to access, not individually owned, usable to all residents, maintenance should be specified by the developers, be included in the deed restrictions and protective covenants, and be at least 20 % of the gross area of the PUD, which 1/3 must be dry.
The Island Pines common open space is land within the development, it shall be maintained by the HOA and will be accessible and open to all residents of the development. The area covers 1.48 acres or 20% of the gross area of the parcel, the outer border of the common open space will be dry and accounts for 44% of the total 1.48 acres, larger than the 33% required.
–Regulation 6: Building Height
The maximum building height is 35 feet.
The homes in the Island pines PUD will be less then 35 feet in height.
–Regulation 7: Building Yards
7.a. All buildings shall have a minimum front yard setback of 20 feet, minimum side yard setback of 10 feet and a minimum rear yard setback of 20 feet. Corner lots shall have the front yard setback on both streets.
All lots in Island Pines adhere to the setback requirements: 10’side yard setback and 20’for both front and rear yard setbacks. Lot 1 and Lot 10 are corner lots and have the western setbacks of 20’.
7.b and 7.c.
Do not apply
–Regulation 8: Dwelling Size and Accessory Building Standards
8.a. The dwelling size shall be approved by the zoning commission and the township trustees.
The plans reflect a 45’x90’ typical building envelope.
8.b. Accessory Units
There are no accessory structures planned for Island Pines.
–Regulation 9: Off-street parking
All units will have driveways with two parking spaces.
–Regulation 10: Commercial Uses
Island Pines will only contain residential use and does not have commercial uses.
–Regulation 11: Traffic Circulation
Island Pines will contain a cul-de-sac to aid in maintaining proper traffic circulation and will also include landscaped areas.
–Regulation 12: Non-illuminated Signs
There are no plans for signage at Island Pines.
–Regulation 13: Fences
No fences are planned at Island Pines
Matt Montowski asked Dan Konschak (Project Manager) some questions regarding the elevation of fire hydrants. Fire Chief Kevin Gibbons suggested an alternate location for one of the hydrants to better service more homes in that location. Dan stated that he did not see an issue with this, but would certainly double check to make sure it could be moved.
Matt then asked if the trustees had any questions for Dan regarding the Island Pines PUD. They did not. Matt asked Dan if he could expand on some of the water issues that have come up and what they have done to address this issue with the association. Dan stated that the plans have been updated as initially they included a pond, but it has since been changed to a dry area. He stated that no water will be going on to neighbor’s property, and that actually the way it is being done will be helping some of the neighbors who currently have water issues. He stated that before they can do anything it will all be reviewed by the EPA and the County.
Matt also brought up issues regarding wetlands on the property. Dan stated that they feel this is an isolated area, and they will properly address the issue if there are actual wetlands on the property. Terree Lasko stated that she wanted to bring up the fact that this is not just a little spot of wetlands, but it is actually almost two lots. Matt stated that these plans are conceptual plans and would be subject to change based on findings.
Todd Jagucki had questions for Dan regarding the proposed retention area and drainage as his property backs right up to this area. He stated that the bottom of the retention pond is the same height of his back yard, and that would make standing water even worse than it is now. Todd said this is the fourth drawing of this area, and it does not seem that they have addressed the issue. Dan stated that they are taking the water off that property and routing away from the development. He stated they are moving the dam off his property and moving it east into a retention pond. Todd stated that he just wants to make sure his water issue doesn’t get worse. Matt stated that before anything can be done, it must get approved by the county engineer. Dan stated that the county will not allow or approve anything that would make things worse. Matt suggested that they both communicate with the county engineer.
William Baker had questions regarding the approval process to which Matt responded that approval of the PUD by the township trustees does not imply approval by any other agency with jurisdiction over the development. Approval by the county, state and federal agencies must be obtained before proceeding with the PUD. Matt stated that this is a process.
Matt Montowski asked if he could get a motion to approve/disapprove or modify case #737635 as recommended by the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission.
Willaim Rofkar made a motion to approve case #737635 as presented. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Matt Montowski seconded the motion.
All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 a.m.
___________________________ _____________________________
Willaim Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer