MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
Attendees
Shannon Pilny Deanne Kramer
Kari Duff John Duff
Chris Gruttadauria Paul Gruttadauria
Don Rodwancy Terry Rodwancy
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.
New Business
Case #737644 Duane & Paula Frey
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose to remove the existing house and build a new home and are requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback (Starboard Road side) from thirty-five feet (35’) to 5.1’ and exceed the lot coverage from thirty-nine percent (39%) to 40.1%. The property is located at 1620 N. Starboard and is also known as Lot 124 of Harbor Park Marinas Inc. 6A Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
No board member had a conflict.
Secretary Bickley indicated that the applicants were in Florida and are available by phone if the Board had questions. Secretary Bickley noted that the Compliance Committee and Board of Trustees approved the plans.
Deanne Kramer was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Kramer commented that she was representing the Board of Trustees and the plans submitted by the Frey’s were approved. Ms. Kramer noted that the setbacks were five feet (5’) on the sides and off the road right-of-way.
Mr. Baker questioned the angular garage and Ms. Kramer commented that the applicants will probably do corrugated doors for the garage.
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 Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 and agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 on Item 6.
Rebecca Dubber moved to approve Case #737644 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. The motion passed with all members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #737646 Paul & Christine Gruttadauria
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose to build a new home and are requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback (Anchor Avenue side) from thirty-five feet (35’) to sixteen feet (16’) and to exceed the lot coverage requirement of thirty-nine percent (39%) to 40.39%. The property is located at 1620 N. Anchor Avenue and is also known as Lots 64 & 65 of Harbor Park Marinas Inc. 4 Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District. Mr. Bickley noted that the sixteen feet (16’) is measured from the edge of the road pavement, not the road right-of-way line. Mr. Bickley provided a site plan which showed the original home 1.5’ off the right-of-way line and Mr. Gruttadauria indicated that the garage corner will be at that location. As a result, the rear yard setback reduction is from thirty-five feet (35’) to 1.5’.
No Board member had a conflict.
Paul Gruttadauria was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Gruttadauria indicated that the new home will be stick built and that the south corner of the garage will be at the same location of the previous house, which is 1.5 feet off the right-of-way line. Mr. Gruttadauria explained the house dimensions.
Ms. Dubber questioned the right-of-way and the garage location. Mr. Gruttadauria explained the location in relation to the road right-of-way.
Ms. Kramer, representing the trustees, indicated that the trustees voted 3-2 not to approve the proposal since the home location would not meet the five (5) foot setback off the road right-of-way.
Shannon Pilny was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Pilny indicated that she is representing the compliance committee and she noted that the five (5) foot setback off the road right-of-way is an unwritten rule and it is not in the by-laws. Ms. Pilny noted that an existing house on Starboard is 1.5 feet off the right-of-way.
Ms. Dubber questioned the association approval process. Ms. Pilny explained the voting process and commented the subdivision does not have a written rule for the five (5) foot setback.
Mr. Gruttadauria submitted to the Board an approval letter from the Harbor Park Marina Association. Mr. Gruttadauria provided the Board with an aerial that showed the existing houses along Starboard.
John Duff was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Duff commented that the President and Vice-President over rode the vote of the trustees and that the unwritten five (5) foot setback off the road right-of-way is not consistently enforced.
Ms. Kramer noted that the five (5) foot setback be met and requested that the garage corner be moved back a little. Mr. Baker questioned the garage size and Mr. Gruttadauria indicated that it was 26’ x 30’. Mr. Gruttadauria noted that the garage would be used for a pick-up truck and it cannot be reduced in size.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion form the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 on Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 and agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 6.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve Case #737646 amending the rear yard setback to 1.5’. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. The motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #737647 John & Kari Duff
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 front yard setback (channel side) from 22.5 feet to fifteen feet (15’), reduce the rear yard setback (Little Avenue side) from thirty-five feet (35’) to eleven feet (11’), reduce the side yard setback (McCloy Avenue side) from twenty-five feet (25’) to five feet (5’), and to exceed the lot coverage requirement of thirty-nine percent (39%) to 52.88%. The property is located at 1348 N. Little Avenue and is also known as Lot 36 of Harbor Park Marinas Inc 2 Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-4” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
John Duff was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Duff indicated that the front of the house faces McCloy and the garage will face Little Avenue. Mr. Duff noted that the subdivision does not have setbacks off of the channel and McCloy and the side yard setbacks are five feet (5’). Mr. Duff commented that the covered porch is fifteen feet (15’) of the channel property line while the neighbor is currently at nine feet (9’).
Chairman Baugh questioned the shed and Mr. Duff indicated that the shed will be removed.
Chairman Baugh questioned the coverage and Mr. Duff provided a lot coverage comparison sheet for the Board’s review. Mr. Duff noted two (2) lots exceeding fifty percent (50%).
Ms. Dubber questioned the home layout and Mr. Duff reviewed the colored site plan.
Shannon Pilny noted that the compliance committee supported the application and Deanne Kramer commented that the trustees approved the application.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicant on Items 3, 4, 5, and 7 by a 5 – 0 vote; disagreed with the applicant on Items 1 and 6 by a 5 – 0 vote; and disagreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 2.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to approve Case #737647 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. The motion passed 4 – 0 will all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #737649 Final Final Final, LLC (Don & Terry Rodwancy
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 rear yard setback from twenty-five feet (25’) to 21.74 feet and reduce the side yard setback (Rock Ledge View side) from twenty-five feet (25’) to 6.14 feet. The property is located at 2792 E. Sand Road and is also known as Lot 12 of the proposed Replat of Rock Ledge Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District. The applicant has indicated that the variance application is contingent on the recording of the proposed Replat of Rock Ledge Subdivision and acquiring additional property from Matt Hollis, an adjoining property owner.
No Board member had a conflict.
Don Rodwancy was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Rodwancy commented that the he is proposing a sprawling house that does not fit the building envelop. Mr. Rodwancy reviewed the site plan with the Board. Ms. Dubber questioned the part of the house that would be approximately six feet (6’) off the property line. Mr. Rodwancy noted that part of the house would be used for storage and a workshop.
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, and 7 by a 5 – 0 vote; agreed with the applicant on Items 2 and 5 by a 4 – 1 vote; and disagreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Item 6.
Brian Caldwell made a motion to approve Case #737649 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. The motion passed 4 – 0 with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Old Business
Case #158959 Catawba Moorings, Inc.
With no new information, the case remained tabled.
Other Business
No other business to conduct.
Approval of Minutes – January 8, 2025
The minutes for the January 8, 2025 meeting was mailed to each member. Doug Blackburn moved to approve the January 8, 2025 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Rebecca Dubber. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Doug Blackburn moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________ ______________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Todd Bickley, Secretary