MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
MAY 10, 2023
Attendees
Scot Taylor
Lee Short
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, Doug Blackburn, Brian Caldwell and Alternates Flint Heidlebaugh and Rebecca Jessen. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector and Trustee Matt Montowski were 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 none.
New Business
Case #157950 Scot & Dawn Taylor
Secretary Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants propose the demolition of the existing garage and an addition to the existing home. The applicants are requesting the reduction of the front yard setback from thirty feet (30’) to twenty-one feet (21’), the reduction of the rear yard setback from twenty-five feet (25’) to eleven feet (11’), and exceed the lot coverage requirement of thirty-six percent (36%) to fifty percent (50%). The property is located at 2945 N. Swallow Drive, also known as Lots 98 & 99 of Harbor Estates Subdivision. The property is located in the “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Lee Short and Scot Taylor were sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Short indicated that the existing garage will be removed and an addition will be constructed onto the existing house. The addition will be for a master suite and a 3½ car garage. Mr. Short noted that the existing house is twenty-one feet (21’) off the front property line while the addition will be twenty-five feet (25’) off the property line. Mr. Short explained that the neighbor to the north is sixteen feet (16’) off the front property line; however, the applicant does not have a home on the other side so an average setback could not be established. The rear yard setback is eleven feet (11’) for the addition and the two feet (2’) for the deck extension. Mr. Short commented that the applicant purchased the area between the lot line and the sea wall that results in the deck setback at approximately eight feet (8’).
Mr. Taylor explained that a legal description has been prepared by DGL for the sea wall area, and it is being reviewed by Mr. Grummel. Once signed, the description will be filed with Ottawa County.
Mr. Short reviewed the lot coverage, which was based on the two (2) lots, not including the seawall area and the extension of Commodore Drive on the south side. When this area is included in the lot coverage determination, the percentage changes from fifty percent (50%) to 41.3%.
Chairman Baugh questioned the distance from the home to the north. Mr. Taylor indicated that the neighbor is about six feet (6’) from the property line and Mr. Short noted that the addition will be thirteen feet (13’) from the property line, so the distance from the building will be about twenty feet (20’).
Chairman Baugh questioned whether HOA approval has been obtained. Mr. Caldwell noted that no formal approval is required.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items 1, 3, 4, 5 6, and 7 by a 5 – 0 vote and agreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item 2.
Brian Caldwell made a motion to approve Case #157950 with the requirement that the recorded legal description for the area between the rear lot line and the sea wall be filed with the zoning office and the rear yard setback be amended to eight feet (8’) and the lot coverage be reduced from fifty percent (50%) to 41.3%. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #157951 Brendan Astley
Secretary Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicant proposes the installation of an accessory building (30’ x 50’) on Parcel #0131467019742001, which is adjacent to the house parcel located at 4259 N. Converse Street. The applicant is requesting an area variance to exceed the building height of fifteen feet (15’) to sixteen feet (16’) and exceed the square footage total of 750 square feet to 1,500 square feet. The parcels legal description is Block 6, Lots 9, 10 & the north 8 feet & vacated street & alley of Ottawa City Subdivision. The property is located in the “R-1” and “R-4” Residential Districts.
No Board member had a conflict.
The applicant or a representative of the applicant was not in attendance. Discussion followed and the Board determined that additional information was needed before a decision could be made.
Doug Blackburn made a motion to table Case #157951. The motion was seconded by Jack Zeigler. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Other Business
Mr. Bickley reported that a Notice of Appeal was filed with the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court concerning the variance granted to Timothy Jenkins, 1061 Byrneal Drive. Mr. Bickley commented that he emailed a copy of the notice to Mr. Jenkins.
Chairman Baugh questioned the status of the subdivision south of Konker. Mr. Bickley commented that the land is in probate and as a result, no work has commenced.
Approval of Minutes – April 12, 2023
The meeting minutes from the April 12, 2023 meeting was mailed to each member. Doug Blackburn moved to approve the April 12, 2023 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Sandy Erwin. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Jack Zeigler moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________ _________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary