MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
APRIL 9, 2025
Attendees
Matthew S. Hollis Marjorie Rush-Muncey
Keith Muncey Victor Kademenos
Al McKean Scott Prephan
Jeff Wingate
Chairman Bryan Baugh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Doug Blackburn, Brian Caldwell, Rebecca Dubber, and Bill Baker. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector/Secretary and Trustee Matt Montowski were also in attendance.
Chairman Baugh read through the meeting process.
Old Business
Case #737661 Jonathan Arbogast
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to remove from the table Case #737661 Jonathan Arbogast. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker and the motion passed.
Secretary Bickley read an email from Jonathan Arbogast requesting that Case #737661 be withdrawn.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to accept the request from Jonathan Arbogast to withdraw Case #737661. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker and the motion passed.
Case #158959 Catawba Moorings, Inc.
With no new information, the case remained tabled.
New Business
Case #737664 Keith Muncey & Marjorie Rush
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose to remove the existing home and replace with a new home and are requesting an area variance to reduce the building width from twenty-three feet (23’) to eighteen feet (18’) and reduce the second-floor square footage requirement from 500 square feet to 478 square feet. The property is located at 5148 E. Gardner Road, also known as Lot 16 of Gardners Landing Subdivision 2. The property is zoned “C-4” Recreational Commercial District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Marjorie Rush-Muncey was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Rush-Muncey indicated that they intend to remove the 1976 single-wide mobile home and build a stick-built home and retire here. Ms. Rush-Muncey commented that they have found a nice house plan for a narrow home, which will be two stories, but will not exceed the height of the adjacent boat storage building.
Chairman Baugh questioned if the existing garage is to remain and Ms. Rush-Muncey indicated that the garage will remain.
Mr. Blackburn questioned if the 500 square foot floor area requirement could be met. Ms. Rush-Muncey noted storage areas that were not included in the square footage total. It was determined that these areas could be included and the second-floor square footage total was revised to 864 square feet.
Chairman Baugh questioned the look of the house and Ms. Rush-Muncey showed a photo of the house from her phone.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion form the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on all seven items.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to amend Case #737664 by removing the second-floor square footage reduction and approving the reduction of the building width from twenty-three feet to eighteen feet (18’). The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. The motion passed 4 – 0 with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #737673 H. T. Properties, Inc.
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant proposes to install a new sign, adjacent to the NE Catawba Road right-of-way and adjacent to the Catawba Island Township boat launch facility. The applicant is requesting an area variance to exceed the sign height from twelve feet (12’) to twenty feet (20’). The property location is Section 3, Lot 2 of Catawba Island Township at 1963 NE Catawba Road. The property is zoned “C-3” Highway Commercial District.
Chairman Baugh had a conflict and removed himself from the case
Scott Prephan was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Doug Blackburn. Mr. Prephan indicated that he is the owner of Midway Marina and noted that there is no sign at the road. The new sign would be five feet (5’) off the right-of-way and five feet (5’) off the north property line. The sign would not be lighted and it will have a single pole.
Mr. Baker questioned the sign location versus the existing telephone pole. After discussion, it was determined that the sign would be east of the pole.
Ms. Dubber verified the lighting issue. Mr. Prephan stated that the sign will not be lighted.
Matt Montowski was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Montowski questioned the setback and Mr. Bickley noted that the sign will be five feet (5’) off the right-of-way, which meets the setback requirement.
Ms. Dubber questioned if both sides will be used and Mr. Prephan indicated that both sides will list Midway Marina.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items 3, 4, and 5 by a 4 – 0 vote; disagreed with the applicant on Items 1 and 6 by a 4 – 0 vote; and voted 2 – 2 on Items 2 and 7.
Bill Baker made a motion to approve Case #737673 with the conditions that the sign is supported by a single pole, the sign is to be unlighted, and the sign will be located to the east of the telephone pole on the north property line. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. The motion passed 2 – 1 will Bill Baker and Brian Caldwell voting in the affirmative. Rebecca Dubber voted against the motion and Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Case #737678 Rock Ledge House, LLC (Matthew & Kortni Hollis)
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose to remove the existing garage and replace with a new garage and are requesting an area variance to reduce the side yard setback from five feet (5’) to one (1) foot. The property is located at 2790 E. Sand Road, also known as proposed Lot 11 of the Replat of Rock Ledge Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Matthew Hollis was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Hollis noted that the existing garage is located at the turn around notch as shown on the proposed subdivision. Mr. Hollis commented that it was cheaper to build a new garage versus relocating the existing garage. Mr. Hollis indicated that the garage will be a two (2) car garage with a one (1) car lean to. Mr. Hollis wanted to make sure the cars would be within an enclosed building unlike some other vehicles around the immediate area. The initial location would have met the side yard setback; however, because of an existing gas service line, the garage had to be relocated. As a result of selling land to Don Rodwancy, the setback based on the proposed replat will be one (1) foot. Mr. Rodwancy supports the variance request.
Mr. Baker verified that Mr. Rodwancy was okay with the request and Mr. Hollis indicated that he was. Mr. Baker questioned the existing vehicles and Mr. Hollis noted that those vehicles will be grandfathered when the new private restrictions are created.
Ms. Dubber questioned the lean-to and Mr. Hollis noted that it was a different roof line and that it will be enclosed.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on all seven (7) items.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve Case #737678 contingent on the recording of the Rock Ledge Replat Subdivision. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell and all Board members voted in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Other Business
No other business to conduct.
Approval of Minutes – March 12, 2025
The minutes for the March 12, 2025 meeting was mailed to each member. Rebecca Dubber moved to approve the March 12, 2025 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Rebecca Dubber moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________ _______________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Todd Bickley, Secretary