MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Attendees
Jennifer Brown Bradley Brown
Lee Short Laura Mahlich
Kevin Gibbons Brent Bucy
Ann Rumpf Tony Rumpf
Dominic Roberts Julie Roberts
Sandy Hamann Katie Hamann
Chairman Bryan Baugh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Jack Ziegler, Tim McKenna, Doug Blackburn, and Alternate Brian Caldwell. Matt Montowski, Trustee and Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector was also in attendance. Chairman Baugh read through the meeting process. He asked if there were any questions concerning the procedure to be used. There were no questions.
New Business
Case #254923 Tony & Ann Rumpf
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants are proposing an alteration and addition to the existing home located at 5957 Basin Drive, also known as Lots 19 & 20 of Gem Beach Subdivision Plat 2. The applicants are requesting an area variance to reduce the front yard setback from twenty-five feet (25’) to 3.5 feet, reduce the side yard setback (B Street side) from twenty-five feet (25’) to four feet (4’), reduce the rear yard setback from forty feet (40’) to 11.5 feet and exceed the lot coverage requirement from 30% to 37.5%. The property is situated in the “A” Residential Low Density District. Mr. Bickley noted that five approval letters were received from the adjacent property owners. One letter, Brent Bucy, was notarized.
No board member had a conflict.
Lee Short, representing the applicants, was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Short indicated that the existing cottage sits low and is in a floodplain. The cottage is a slab on grade and has three (3) different floor levels. The existing cottage will be torn down and the new structure will be a two-story home situated on the existing foundation with several additions as shown on the site plan map. Mr. Short noted that the 3.5 feet off of Basin is due to the cut off. The small shed will be removed and not replaced. The garage is on the east end and will be 24’ x 24’. The home location is designed to match the existing home location and the screen porch will be 3.5 feet off of Basin Drive. The home will be close to lining up with the neighbors when measured off the edge of the pavement. Mr. Short reviewed the neighboring sight line on the site plan.
Jack Ziegler noted that the existing home is now four feet (4’) off of “B” Street. Mr. Bickley noted that when the house is removed, the nonconforming setback is eliminated.
Tim McKenna questioned if the screen in porch will be enclosed. Mr. Short indicated that the porch will not be enclosed and Mr. Short explained that an open deck will be above the screen in porch with a roof on top of the deck.
Chairman Baugh questioned steps. Mr. Short indicated that the lot will be raised, but if a step is necessary, it will be to the west side of the porch.
Mr. Bickley questioned drainage. Mr. Short indicated that the water will be handled by the existing storm basin.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor. Chairman Baugh noted that the cottage seems to line up with the cottage to the south.
The Finding of Fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on all seven (7) Items. Doug Blackburn noted that the garage will be twenty-four feet (24’) deep rather than twenty feet (20) deep as identified in Item 7.
Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #254923. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. Motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative.
Case #254937 Laura Mahlich
Todd Bickley read the facts of the case. The applicant is proposing to remove an existing home and replace with a new single family dwelling on property located at 1531 Anchor Avenue, also known as Lot 70 of Harbor Park Marina, Inc. Subdivision 4. The applicant is requesting the reduction of the rear yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to five feet (5’). The property is located in the “R-4” Residential District. No correspondence was received.
No Board member had a conflict.
Laura Mahlich was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Mahlich indicated that the mobile home with the screen room dates back to 1953 and it is now time to replace the structure. The new home will be a ranch style home with a four (4) foot crawl space and an attached garage. The home will be stick built. The lot has been surveyed by BEC Associates. The HOA has approved the home.
Chairman Baugh questioned if steps will be off of either side of the home. Ms. Mahlich noted that steps will be out the back towards the canal, not on either side of the home.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board disagreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 1; agreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item 2 and agreed by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Jack Ziegler made a motion to approve Case #254937 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed with all members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #254939 Bradley & Jennifer Brown
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants are proposing the installation of an accessory building and are requesting to exceed the height limitation of fifteen feet (15’) to twenty feet (20’) and to exceed the cumulative accessory building square footage total of 950 square feet to 2,400 square feet. The property is located in Section 26 of Catawba Island Township at 625 W. Catawba Road. The property is zoned “R-1” Residential District. No written correspondence was received however the office had two (2) phone calls concerning the application.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Bradley Brown was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Brown explained that a 60’ x 40’ accessory building is proposed with a height of twenty feet (20’). The building will be used for personal storage and a home office with a bathroom. Twenty feet (20’) is necessary since the Brown’s daughter is a competitive baton twirler and will practice in the building.
Mr. Blackburn questioned if the overhang is included in the dimensions. Mr. Brown indicated that dimensions include the overhang.
Chairman Baugh questioned the construction. Mr. Brown indicated that sides and roof will be metal and several windows will be added.
Mr. McKenna questioned downspouts. Mr. Brown noted that the building will have downspouts.
Chairman Baugh questioned color. Jennifer Brown indicated that the sides will be charcoal grey with a black roof.
Mr. McKenna questioned if the building will have a second floor. Mr. Brown indicated that the building will not have a second floor.
Mr. Blackburn noted that the distance between the building location and the existing utility lines appears to be tight. Mr. Blackburn questioned if the building could be moved a little bit to the west. Mr. Brown commented that he would not object to the relocation if necessary. Chairman Baugh suggested that the applicants consult with Ohio Edison.
Dominic Roberts was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Roberts indicated that he lives to the northwest on Rockcliff Drive. Mr. Roberts noted that a ten (10) foot easement is along the property line. Mr. Roberts questioned if the whole roof is twenty feet (20’) in height. Mr. Brown indicated that the peak will be at twenty feet (20’).
Katie Hamann was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Hamann noted that the area is open between her and the Brown’s property. Mr. Blackburn questioned landscaping on the south side. Mr. Brown indicated that the south side will be landscaped, which would take place next spring. Mr. Brown noted that as a compromise he would be willing to reduce the structure from sixty feet (60’) to forty-eight feet (48’). Ms. Hamann noted that the building will be visible.
Sandy Hamann was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Hamann commented that the area is open, but he would not want a barricade, but a tree line would help out.
Jennifer Brown was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Brown indicated that a two (2) foot buffer was left between the new fence and the property line. Ms. Brown indicated that they would permit the Hamann’s to plant up to the fence.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor. Mr. Ziegler commented that reducing the building to forty-eight feet (48’) was not necessary. Mr. McKenna questioned the height. Chairman Baugh did not have an issue with the proposed height. Mr. Blackburn questioned the utility easement. Mr. Roberts indicated that the easement is ten (10) feet. Mr. Bickley noted that the building will be sixteen feet (16’) off the side property line.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7; agreed with the applicant by 4 – 1 vote on Item 2; and disagreed with applicant by 5 – 0 vote on Item 6.
Brian Caldwell made a motion to approve Case #254939 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Jack Ziegler. Motion passed with all members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Approval of Minutes – October 14, 2020
The meeting minutes from the October 14, 2020 meeting was mailed to each member. Tim McKenna moved to approve the October 14, 2020 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed.
Other Business
Mr. Bickley indicated that he has received one (1) variance application for the December meeting.
Adjournment
Jack Ziegler moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________ ________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary