MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
MAY 8, 2019
Attendees
Pat Green Rick Smetzer
Tom Zgela Dan Halley
Joanne Hawk Nicole Trick
Bob Pudelski Jay Halley
David Kruse
Chairman Bryan Baugh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Sandy Erwin, Jack Zeigler, Doug Blackburn, Tim McKenna, and Alternate Flint Heidlebaugh. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector and Matt Montowski, Trustee was also in attendance. Chairman Baugh read through the meeting process. He asked if there were any questions concerning the procedure to be used. Todd Bickley commented that the first two cases are conditional use applications and the Board decisions become effective ten (10) days after the decision is made. There were no other questions.
New Business
Case #331873 – Daniel J. Halley
Sandy Erwin read the facts of the case. The applicant has submitted a conditional use application for property located at 1871 N.E. Catawba Road – Suite A-2 in Catawba Island Township. The applicant proposes an indoor golfing facility and a bar/snack bar area. The property is zoned “C-3” Highway Commercial District.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Daniel Halley was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Halley commented that he proposes an indoor golf simulator business which will be developed as a high end facility. Based on other similar businesses, Mr. Halley anticipates the golf simulator business to be of high usage. The facility will be open to the general public. The business will include a small bar and snack area, with only beer and wine to be sold.
Chairman Baugh questioned renovations. Mr. Halley indicated the interior will have renovations but there will be no exterior renovations. Chairman Baugh questioned noise. Mr. Halley indicated that noise should not be a problem. The facility is situated in a commercial area.
Tim McKenna questioned the unit’s square feet. Mr. Halley noted that unit contains 1,000 square feet.
Doug Blackburn questioned if the business will be open to the general public or whether memberships will be required. Mr. Halley indicated that the facility is open to the general public; however, memberships will be offered. The membership concept is still being formulated.
Jack Ziegler questioned putting greens. Mr. Halley commented that the putting greens consist of a series of panels.
Mr. McKenna questioned the liquor license. Mr. Halley noted that one (1) license for liquor is available. Mr. Halley indicated that he would prefer to offer only beer and wine. The law does allow the purchase of a license elsewhere in the State and to bring it to this location. The trustees must approve the application. Matt Montowski noted that The Orchard used a similar process.
Sandra Erwin questioned if individuals under twenty-one (21) would be allowed in the facility. Mr. Halley commented that they would be allowed to use the golf simulators. Mr. McKenna questioned if the business would operate without a liquor license. Mr. Halley was not sure if he would proceed with the business without a liquor license.
Chairman Baugh closed the discussion from the floor.
The finding of fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items #1, 2, 3 and 6 - 10 by a 5 -0 vote, agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item #5 and disagreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item #4.
Chairman Baugh questioned the lighting. Mr. Halley indicated that hanging lights will be installed inside the building to keep it lit and a sign will be installed along the building, similar to the other business signs. LED signs will not be used.
Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #331873. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. All Board members voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #331874 – Robert & Kathryn Pudelski
Sandy Erwin read the facts of the case. The applicants have submitted a conditional use application for property located contiguous to and west of 3260 N.E. Catawba Road (Rudder’s Cafe) along Schoolhouse Road in Catawba Island Township. The property will be split from parcel #0131470225008000 and have 100 feet of frontage on Schoolhouse Road and approximately 166 feet of lot depth. The applicant proposes a parking area for overflow parking and employee parking. The property is zoned “A” Residential Low Density District.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Robert Pudelski was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Pudelski commented that Rudder’s is a good neighbor and a nice gathering place, and he would like to expand its parking area for the customers. The additional parking would help to alleviate a safety hazard and assist the delivery trucks. The parking would be for overflow parking and to be used by the employees. The parking area would begin fifty feet (50’) from the residential zoning district off of Schoolhouse Road.
Doug Blackburn questioned ingress/egress. Mr. Pudelski noted that the intent is to get to the overflow parking area from the existing parking area. Tim McKenna commented that the overflow parking area would be blocked from Schoolhouse. Mr. Pudelski noted that the trees would prevent access off of Schoolhouse.
Jack Ziegler questioned the surface. Mr. Pudelski indicated that the area would be kept as grass.
Mr. Blackburn questioned if it would be advantageous to create an exit further away from the Schoolhouse/SR 53 exit. Mr. Pudelski agreed that it may be better to expand the exit further away from the intersection.
Pat Green commented about her driveway and the trucks. Mr. Pudelski noted that there should not be a problem during the off hours and the intent is to widen the exit area so that the trucks would not need to go into Ms. Green’s driveway. Ms. Green noted that she is not against the parking, that the problem is her driveway across from the second exit and during high usage times, a problem is created. Ms. Green requested that the exit/entrance be moved a little bit away from her driveway. Mr. Pudelski noted that he would be willing to take the request into consideration. Mr. Blackburn suggested that the trucks be made to go one way.
Chairman Baugh closed the discussion to the floor.
The finding of fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on all the Items except for Item #5, which the Board agreed by a 4 – 1 vote.
Jack Ziegler moved to approve Case #331874. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin. All Board members vote in favor of the motion. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #331877 – Thomas & Charlotte Zgela
Sandra Erwin read the facts of the case. The applicants propose to add a porch with railings (no roof cover) and are requesting an area variance to reduce the front yard setback from fifteen feet (15’) to eight feet (8’) and exceed the lot coverage requirement from 36% to 41.8%. The property is located at 5186 E. Woodland Drive and is also known as Lot 57 of White City Beach Subdivision in Catawba Island Township. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Thomas Zgela was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Zgela noted that a porch will be added, the dimensions were noted and the markers were put in place.
Chairman Baugh questioned the product to be used. Mr. Zgela indicated that railings will be vinyl with treated posts. Doug Blackburn questioned the height of the porch and Mr. Zgela noted that it will be 12 – 16 inches above grade with a step. Mr. Blackburn noted that the variance would need to include the steps. Sandra Erwin commented that the steps could go off the side rather in front. Todd Bickley indicated that if less than eight (8) inches, then a variance for the steps would not be required.
Chairman Baugh closed the discussion from the floor.
The finding of fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on all the Items.
Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #331877. The motion was seconded by Jack Ziegler. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Approval of Minutes – April 10, 2019
The meeting minutes from the April 10, 2019 meeting was mailed to each member. Tim McKenna moved to approve the April 10, 2019 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Jack Ziegler moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________ ________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary