MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
JULY 10, 2024
Attendees
Daniel Frederick, AIA Carolyn Nitz
Jeff Ohm Martin Svensen
Bill Craider Gerald Buck
Dan Meisler Mary Johns
Jeff Johns Gary Kresge
Dolly Kresge
Vice-Chairman Doug Blackburn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Brian Caldwell, Rebecca Dubber, Bill Baker, and Alternate Flint Heidlebaugh. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector/Secretary and Trustee Matt Montowski were also in attendance.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn read through the meeting process. He asked if there were any questions concerning the procedure to be used. A question was asked as to the date of the next board meeting. Secretary Bickley indicated that the next board meeting is August 14th.
Old Business
Case #158897 Resurrection Lutheran Church
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to remove Case #158897 from the table. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell and it passed.
No Board member had a conflict.
Jeff Johns was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Johns indicated that legal counsel opinion was submitted and he had no additional information.
Bill Baker made a motion to go into executive session. Motion was seconded by Flint Heidlebaugh. Motion passed.
Flint Heidlebaugh made a motion to return from executive session. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. Motion passed.
Rebecca Dubber made a motion to deny Case# 158897 as presented. The motion was seconded by Brian Caldwell. Motion passed 4 – 0, Vice-Chairman Doug Blackburn did not vote.
New Business
Case #158923 Greg Hoffman
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant proposes the construction of a 9’ x 16’ garage addition and is requesting an area variance to reduce the side yard setback from ten feet (10’) to 7’-6”. The property is located at 2911 N. Firelands Boulevard and is also known as Lot 8 of Catawba Island Estates Subdivision. The property is zoned “A” Residential Low Density District.
No board member had a conflict.
Daniel Frederick was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Frederick indicated that the home was built many years ago and the applicant would like to store a golf cart in an enclosed structure. The garage addition is nine (9) feet wide and sixteen (16) feet long containing 144 square feet. Mr. Frederick noted that based on the topography, the addition will not be noticed. The applicant intends to use the existing driveway and the addition is not substantial. The setback is 7’-6”, which is also within an existing easement.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn questioned if the chimney is in the addition. Mr. Frederick indicated that it is and the existing man door will remain. The door will provide entrance into the addition. There will not be a man door on the addition.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn 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 vote on Item 6.
Rebecca Dubber moved to approve Case #158923 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Flint Heidlebaugh. The motion passed with all members voting in the affirmative. Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Case #158928 Gerald A. Buck
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicant proposes the construction of an accessory building (garage) and is requesting an area variance to reduce the side yard setback (Noreaster Cove Drive) from twenty-five feet (25’) to five feet (5’) and exceed the maximum accessory building height of fifteen feet (15’) to twenty-one feet (21’). The property is located at 2981 N. Swallow Drive, also known as Lot 95 of Harbor Estates Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential.
No Board member had a conflict.
Gerald Buck was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Buck indicated that he would like to build a garage where the existing cars are parked and the garage will match the house. Mr. Buck commented that it was time to get the cars enclosed.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn questioned if the garage could be moved closer to the house. Mr. Buck commented that the proposed location allows him to use the current driveway.
Mr. Heidlebaugh questioned if their will be living space in the above space. Mr. Buck indicated that it will be used as storage space.
Ms. Dubber noted that the garage could be moved closer to the house, a variance would still be needed; however, the garage would be greater than five feet (5’) off Noreaster Cove Drive. Mr. Buck agreed, but believed that it was not feasible.
Ms. Dubber questioned if the shed would stay and the shed appears to be close to the property line. Mr. Buck noted that the shed will stay.
Mr. Baker questioned if windows will be installed on the north and east side. Mr. Buck indicated that windows will not be installed on those sides. Mr. Buck noted that a Gem Beach building is on the east side.
Mr. Heidlebaugh commented that the garage should not impede Gem Beach from moving boats.
Ms. Dubber commented that the proposal seems like a significant change. Mr. Buck noted that a similar garage is situated at the other end of Skipper Drive.
Mr. Baker questioned the trees. Mr. Buck noted that he intends to remove the large tree.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn 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, 4, and 5; agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Items 2, 3, and 7; and disagreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 6.
Brian Caldwell made a motion to approve Case #158928 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. The motion passed 3 – 1 with Rebbeca Dubber voting against the motion. Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Case #158933 William & Virginia Craider
Todd Bickley read the case facts. The applicants propose the installation of an aluminum framed awning over an existing patio and are requesting an area variance to reduce the front yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to 2’-5” and reduce the side yard setback (N. Hawk Drive) from twenty-five feet (25’) to 24’-5”. The property is located at 5624 E. Skipper Drive, also known as Lot 38 of Harbor Estates Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential.
Secretary Bickley indicated that the applicant submitted a revised site plan shifting the awning to the east, which resulted in reducing the side yard setback off of Hawk Drive from 24’-5” to
12’-8”.
No Board member had a conflict.
Jeff Oslin was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Oslin commented that a 16’ x 24’ open air awning over an existing slab will be installed. The awing will be supported by two (2) posts.
Ms. Dubber questioned whether the entire patio will be covered. William Craider was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blackburn. Mr. Craider noted that at this time, the entire patio will not be enclosed.
Mr. Heidlebaugh questioned if it will be enclosed. Mr. Craider indicated that a tarp may be placed on the side during the winter months. Mr. Baker noted the sides are to remain open.
Ms. Dubber questioned if the remaining patio would ever be covered. Mr. Craider noted that was a possibility and Mr. Oslin commented that covering the entire patio would take one (1) additional panel. Secretary Bickley suggested that the application be amended to include the entire patio. It was noted that the lot coverage would increase from 35% to 36%.
Vice-Chairman Blackburn 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 3, 4, 5, and 7; agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1vote on Item 2; agreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item 6; and disagreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Item 1.
Flint Heidlebaugh made a motion to approve Case #158933 with the following change: reduce the east side setback from 24’-5” to 12’-8” and reduce the west side setback from 43’-1” to 31’-4”. The motion was seconded by Rebecca Dubber. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Vice-Chairman Blackburn did not vote.
Other Business
No other business to conduct.
Approval of Minutes – June 12, 2024
The meeting minutes from the June 12, 2024 meeting was mailed to each member. Rebecca Dubber moved to approve the June 12, 2024 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Bill Baker. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Flint Heidlebaugh moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Rebecca Dubber. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________ _________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Todd Bickley, Secretary