Minutes: August 11th, 2021

MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

AUGUST 11, 2021

Attendees

Bryan Bishop Joe Briggs
Bill Bishop Aaron Shiets
Cassi Bishop Aubrey Snyder
Willard Smith Marlene DeLaat
William Moore, Jr. Phil Helterbrand
Angelette Schmidt William Fox
Dana Walker Joe Hoffman
Fred Walker John Hoffman
Jan Beals Jonathan Crandall
Lee Short Lynn Robinson
Doug McCune Joyce Hoffman
Chris Hirt Renee DeVore
Ken Hirt Jack DeVore
Marge Hirt James Brahier

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 Zeigler, Sandra Erwin, Tim McKenna, Doug Blackburn and Alternates Flint Heidlebaugh and Brian Caldwell. 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. There were no questions.

New Business

Case #155254 Rich & Marcia Dickinson

Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing the expansion of an existing garage and are requesting an area variance to reduce the side yard setback from five feet (5’) to zero feet (0’) and exceed the lot coverage from thirty-six percent (36%) to forty-three percent (43%). The property is located at 5750 E. Lakeview Drive and is also known as the west half of Lots 9 & 10 of White City Beach Subdivision Plat 1. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.

No board member had a conflict.

Lee Short was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Short indicated that the Dickinson’s were on vacation and unable to make the meeting. Mr. Short submitted to the Board two (2) non-notarized letters from adjacent property owners (DeVore & Miller) in support of the plan. The Dickinson’s are running out of garage space and parking is needed for the water toys and golf cart. The garage addition is not for cars. Mr. Short noted that twenty feet (20’) exists between the building and the rear lot line, and the garage has a shared wall with a one (1) hour fire wall.

Chairman Baugh questioned if the two (2) homes are adjoined. Mr. Short indicated that the two (2) homes are adjoined and that they are two (2) separate homes. Each lot is 30’ x 100’.

Doug Blackburn questioned if the addition will crowd the next door neighbor’s garage. Mr. Short commented that the adjoining neighbor (Miller’s) agree with the plans. Jack Zeigler indicated that the neighbor could do the same thing. Mr. Short agreed, and they were approached, but decided not to do anything at this time.

The Finding of Fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 1 – 5 and Item 7; and agreed by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 6.

Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #155254 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Jack Zeigler. Motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.

Case #155255 The Village Group, Inc.

Secretary Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicant is proposing to remove an existing home and rebuild a new home on Lots 68 & 69 of Gem Beach Subdivision Plat 2. The address is 3130 N. Carolina. The applicant is requesting an area variance to reduce the front yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to sixteen feet (16’), the side yard setback (Plum Street side) from twenty-five feet (25’) to ten feet (10’), the rear yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to five feet (5’), and exceed the lot coverage requirement from thirty-nine percent (39%) to 42.6%. The property is zoned “C-4” Recreational Commercial District.

No board member had a conflict

Lee Short was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Short indicated he was representing the applicant and he introduced Bruce Mocny of The Village Group. Mr. Short noted that he had met with the owner three (3) years ago to possibly renovate and put on an addition. The building looks okay from the outside, but it is a structurally unsafe building. As a result, the decision was made to take it down. Mr. Short noted that the site consists of four (4) individual parcels, but variances would be needed. The applicant settled on two (2) single-family homes, designed as two (2) similar projects. The intent is to line up the homes with the other structures on Carolina. There would be twenty (20) foot separation between the back of the current cottage and the existing homes. Two (2) car garages would be attached to the proposed homes with the attempt to keep cars out of the front yard. Both homes are two (2) story homes with single story garage and wrapped around porches.

Tim McKenna questioned if the porches would be covered. Mr. Short noted that the porches may be covered with screens.

Mr. Short presented the drawings to both the Board members and the audience.
Chairman Baugh questioned the distance from the rear of the new structure to the existing structures. Mr. Short indicated about eleven feet (11’). Chairman Baugh questioned if the proposed homes would be able to move towards Carolina. Mr. Short indicated that they could; however, the site lines of the adjacent homes may be impacted.

Chairman Baugh questioned if the homes would be used for rentals. Doug Mocny was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Mocny indicated the homes would not be used for rentals.

Doug Blackburn questioned water runoff. Mr. Short commented that he is not sure; however, he noted that gutters and splash backs will be used. Mr. Short also noted that the water will be directed to the green space. Sandra Erwin commented on the use of a rain garden.

Chris Hirt was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Hirt noted the location of a pin and suggested that the existing building is five feet (5’), not nine feet (9’) from the rear lot line. Consequently, based on the found pin, the new building would be about two feet (2’) from the property line. Mr. Short reviewed the distances on the drawing. Chairman Baugh commented that the survey has to be validated.

Marlene DeLaat was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. DeLaat indicated that the pins were in the street when she bought her property. Ms. DeLaat provided a picture from twenty (20) years ago and she provided a survey. Mr. Short reviewed the survey and commented that there appears to be a two (2) foot discrepancy between her survey and the applicants survey.

Joe Briggs was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Brigg’s questioned the sight line. Mr. Short indicated that a short amount of the proposed home is in front of the house to the north. The square footage of the new homes are 1,324.

Mr. Briggs was concerned with the drainage and questioned if a cistern could be installed south of his property or could a cistern be installed in front of each home. Mr. Short was unable to answer the question; however, the green space should be able to handle the drainage.

Chairman Baugh noted three items for the applicant to address: the rear yard setback, a drainage plan and a survey to explain the pin discrepancy.

Doug Blackburn made a motion to table Case #155255 with the conditions that the applicant address/reconsider the rear yard setback, submit a drainage plan and provide a survey verifying the property corners. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin and all Board members voted in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.

Chairman Baugh noted that the Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is September 8, 2021 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Administration Building on Cemetery Road.




Case #155256 The Village Group, Inc.

Based on the previous concerns identified in Case #155255, Doug Blackburn made a motion to table Case #155256 with the conditions that the applicant address/reconsider the rear yard setback, submit a drainage plan and provide a survey verifying the property corners. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin and all Board members voted in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.

Case #155260 Bryan Bishop

Secretary Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicant is proposing to remove an existing home and rebuild a new home and is requesting an area variance to reduce the front yard setback from thirty-two feet (32’) to fourteen feet (14’), the side yard setback from twenty-five feet (25’) to five feet (5’), the rear yard setback from forty feet (40) to twenty-five feet (25’), and to exceed the lot coverage requirement from thirty percent (30%) to forty-eight percent (48%). The property is zoned “A” Residential Low Density District. Ms. Erwin noted correspondence received from Larry & Becky Faith.

No Board member had a conflict.

Bryan Bishop was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Bishop indicated that the home is a weekend vacation home and he is moving to the area full time. Chairman Baugh questioned if a drawing of the new home was available. Mr. Bishop showed the Board a drawing of the home to be built.

Ms. Erwin questioned living space over the garage. Mr. Bishop indicated that there will be living space over the garage.

Doug Blackburn questioned if the porch will be enclosed. Mr. Bishop indicated that the porch will be open. Ms. Erwin noted the concerns of the Faith letter concerning enclosing the porch.

James Brahier was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Brahier indicated that the side road was listed as a driveway on the site plan is incorrect, it is not a driveway, it is an association owned road.

Joe Hoffman was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Hoffman noted that the side road is actually a street and that that his side yard has been fenced by the adjacent property owner. Mr. Hoffman is concerned that the street will be blocked with more privacy fence, which would create a problem for emergency vehicles. Chairman Baugh questioned Mr. Bishop if he was proposing a fence. Mr. Bishop indicated that he will not be installing a fence. Mr. Bishop noted that Mr. Hoffman is referencing an old fence.

William Fox was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Fox questioned if he intends to install a pool in the rear yard. Mr. Bishop indicated that he intends to keep the rear yard open for the dogs.

Chairman Baugh closed 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 seven (7) items.

Jack Zeigler made a motion to approve Case #155260 with the condition that the porch, including the railings, will remain open and not enclosed. The motion was seconded by Tim McKenna. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.

Case #155261 Joe Main & Dana Walker

Secretary Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing to remove an existing home and rebuild a new home and are requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback from forty feet (40’) to nine feet (9’) and to exceed the lot coverage requirement from thirty percent (30%) to 43.5%. The property is zoned “A” Residential Low Density District.

No Board member had a conflict.

Fred Walker was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Walker indicated that the property has been in the family for the last eighty (80) years. He noted that three (3) owners to the southeast have built new homes and that the proposed house will be similar to those homes. The home will have two (2) stories with an attached one (1) story garage. The front yard setback is eighteen feet (18’), which is in line with the adjacent homes. Mr. Walker reviewed the site plan with the Board.

Ms. Erwin questioned how the water will be handled. Mr. Walker was not sure but noted that the floodplain has been reviewed and the building height will comply with the base flood elevation. The existing cottage has not flooded.

Chairman Baugh noted that the rear yard is tight. Mr. Walker noted that the structure of the rear yard neighbor is not tight to the lot line.

Mr. Walker noted that the rain water would go down to the marina between the homes.

Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.

The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board disagreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Item #1; disagreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item #2; and agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items #3 – 7.

Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #155261. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.



Case #155262 Lynn & Billie Robinson

Secretary Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants propose to build a new garage and are requesting an area variance to exceed the building height requirement for an accessory building from fifteen feet (15’) to twenty-three feet (23’) and exceed the cumulative square footage total for accessory buildings from 750 square feet to 840 square feet. The property is zone “R-3” Residential District.

No Board member had a conflict.

Jonathan Crandall was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Crandall informed the Board that he is representing his father-in-law, who is proposing to build a detached garage. Mr. Crandall indicated that the Robinson’s sold their property in North Ridgeville. The garage will be two (2) car garage, located on the adjacent lot to the north of the house lot. The second floor will be for additional storage. The roof pitch will match the house. Mr. Crandall commented that the height should not impact the neighbors. Mr. Crandall also commented that the garage would be moved back (to the east).

Chairman Baugh questioned the house height. Mr. Crandall indicated about twenty-one feet (21’). Mr. Crandall noted that the garage height will probably will be between twenty-one feet (21’) to twenty-two feet (22’).

Chairman Baugh questioned if the garage will have living space. Mr. Crandall indicated there will be no living space and the garage will not be serviced with water.

Aaron Shiets was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Shiets noted the pin/flags in the field. Lynn Robinson was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Robinson indicated that the garage will be moved back three feet (3’) to maintain Mr. Shiets view of the water. Mr. Shiets expressed thanks for Mr. Robinson’s consideration.

Jan Beals was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Biels commented that Harbor Estates does not need another independent garage.

Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.

The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board disagreed with the applicant on Items #1 and #6 by a 5 – 0 vote; and agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items #2 – 5 and Item #7.

Doug Blackburn made a motion to approve Case #155262 with the conditions that the garage will be moved back three feet (3’) and the garage will have no living space. Motion passed with all members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.

Case #155267 Perryview, Inc.

Secretary Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicant is requesting a use variance to allow the addition of twenty-six (26) camp sites and a playground to an existing campground known as Cedarlane RV Resort. The location is Section 3, Lot 11 of Catawba Island Township at 2926 NE Catawba Road. The property is zoned “A” Residential low Density District.

No Board member had a conflict.
William Moore, Jr. was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Moore noted that he is a life-long resident of Catawba Island Township. He purchased the campground in 2008. The number of campsites has been reduced from 337 to 300. Approximately 1.5 acres of land is underutilized and the addition of twenty-six (26) campsites represents a nine percent (9%) increase. The camp sites will be 1500 square feet in size, which exceeds the Board of Health minimum requirement by 500 square feet.

Mr. Moore also requested the Board consider replacement of the sign with a new sign which would not exceed fifty (50) square feet.

Doug Blackburn questioned the fish station. Mr. Moore indicated that the building will probably go away.

Chairman Baugh closed the discussion from the floor.

The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact and agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on all three (3) items.

Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #155267, including a new sign not to exceed fifty (50) square feet with the submission of a site plan identifying the signs location. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin. The motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.

Old Business

Case #155221 Chad & Mary Gunerra

With no additional information, Case #155221 remained on the table.

Approval of Minutes – July 14, 2021

The meeting minutes from the July 14, 2021 meeting was mailed to each member. Jack Zeigler moved to approve the July 14, 2021 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded Tim McKenna. Motion passed.

Other Business

No other business to conduct.




Adjournment

Doug Blackburn moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Jack Zeigler. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


_____________________________ ________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary