Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees

Zoning Hearing

The Zoning Hearing was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday September 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.  The purpose of the meeting was to amend proposed text amendments.  The meeting was open to the public and was advertised.

In attendance were:  Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Shelly Garcia, Vicki Wheatley and William Baker.

The meeting was turned over to trustee Matt Montowski who read the following proposed text amendment:

TEXT AMENDMENTS

SECTION 3 – DEFINITIONS

Add Item j. Changeable Copy Sign, Electronic to Sign

Sign:      j.             Changeable Copy Sign, Electronic: A sign with display for multiple or changing messages

                                by electronic means. Such signs are characterized by digital means allowing the letters,

                                characters, images or graphics to be modified from time to time by electronic devices.

                                Electronically changed copy signs include, but are not limited to, electronic message

                                boards, digital displays, programmable LED signs, and LED digital signs.

 

SECTION 4 – DISTRICTS

Amend the “C-1”, “C-2”, “C-3” and “C-4” Zoning Districts

“C-1”     NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

2. Conditional Uses:  Subject to approval as provided for Section 6 of this Resolution.
3. Multiple family dwelling buildings containing one (1) or more dwelling

                                                units/condominium development.

“C-2”     GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

1. Uses Permitted:  The following uses are permitted. A zoning certificate may be required

as provided for in Section 10, B of this Resolution.

1. Multiple family dwelling buildings containing (1) or more dwelling

                                                units/condominium development.

“C-3”     HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

2. Conditional Uses:  Subject to approval as provided in Section 6 of this Resolution.
3. Multiple family dwelling buildings containing (1) or more dwelling

                units/condominium development.

“C-4”     RECREATIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

1. Uses Permitted:  The following uses are permitted. A zoning certificate may be required

as provided for in Section 10, B of this Resolution.

1. Multiple family dwelling buildings containing (1) or more dwelling

                units/condominium development.

SECTION 7 – SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS

Amend Item C. Signs 4. Prohibited Signs

1. Signs:
2. Prohibited Signs:
3. Changeable Copy Sign, Electronic, are prohibited.
4. signs which contain red and green lights are prohibited.
5. Signs which contain lights that flash, rotate, or have intermittent rotating or moving lights, regardless of color, are prohibited.

SECTION 8 – ZONING COMMISSION 

Amend Item C. POWER AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION, f. Hearing and Notice by Zoning Commission and i. Hearing and Notice by Board of Township Trustees

1. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION
2. Hearing and Notice by Zoning Commission: Upon the adoption of such motion,

or the certification of such resolution, or the filing of such application, the

Township Zoning Commission shall hold a public hearing thereon. The

Commission shall set a date for the public hearing not less than twenty (20) days

nor more than forty (40) days from the date of the certification of such

resolution, or the date of the filing of such application. Notice of such hearing

shall be as follows

A notice shall be published in one (1) or more newspapers of general circulation

In the Township at least ten (10) days before such hearing.

shall be given by the commission by one publication at least ten days before the

                                                date of the hearing using at least one of the following methods:

1. In the print or digital edition of one or more newspapers of general circulation in the township.

1. On the official public notice web site established under section

125.182 of the Revised Code. 

• On the web site and social media account of the township.

1. Hearing and Notice by Board of Township Trustees: The Board of Township Trustees, upon receipt of such recommendation from the Township Zoning Commission, shall hold a public hearing thereon. The Board of Township Trustees shall set a time for the public hearing on the proposed amendment or supplement not more than thirty (30) days from the date of the receipt of such recommendation from the Commission. Notice of such public hearing shall be given by the Board of Township Trustees by one (1) or more newspapers of general circulation in the Township, at least ten (10) days before the date of such hearing publication at least ten (10) days before the date of the hearing using at least one of the following methods: 

1. In the print or digital edition of one or more newspapers of general circulation in the township. 

1. On the official public notice web site established under section

125.182 of the Revised Code.

• On the web site and social media account of the township

SECTION 9 – BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Amend D. PRODCEDURES 3. Public Hearing and Decision

1. PROCEDURES
2. Public Hearing and Decision: The Board of Zoning Appeals shall fix a date for a public

hearing of the appeal within thirty (30) days from the date of filing, and shall give at

least ten (10) day notice in writing, by first class mail, to the parties in interest, and to all

owners of property within, contiguous to and directly across the street from the

property involve in the appeal; this notice shall be mailed to the addresses of such

owners appearing on the County Auditor’s current tax list or the Treasurer’s mailing list.

The applicant shall supply the necessary names and addresses to the Township Zoning

Inspector. The failure of delivery of such notice shall not invalidate any action taken on

the appeal. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall also give notice of such public hearing by

one (1) publication in one (1) or more newspapers of general circulation in the County at

least ten (10) days before the date of such hearing.  publish a notice of such public

                                hearing at least ten (10) days before the date of such hearing using at least one (1) of the

                                following methods:

1. In the print or digital edition of one or more newspapers of general circulation in the township.

1. On the official public notice web site established under section
   • of the Revised Code.

1. On the web site and social media account of the township.

Upon the hearing, any person may appear in person or by attorney. The Board shall decide the appeal within thirty (30) days after the date of the public hearing.

The Board shall decide the appeal within a reasonable time after it is submitted. Upon the hearing, any person may appear in person or by attorney. Every decision of the Board shall be based upon a finding of fact. In addition, the Board shall transmit a copy of its decision to the applicant and the property owners who were notified of the appeal.  

The Ottawa Regional Planning Commission and the Township Zoning Commission have both recommended approval of these text amendments.

William Rofkar made a motion to approve the text amendments as recommended.  Diane Belden seconded the motion.  All voted aye.  Motion carried.

Diane Belden made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  William Rofkar seconded the motion.  All voted aye.  Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

 

_______________________                                      __________________________

William Rofkar, Chairman                                             Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer