MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
JANUARY 13, 2021
Attendees
Seth Herrnstein Cathy Beatty
Charles Laird Rick Kneisley
Tom Zaciewski Kathleen Stierwalt
Tom Stierwalt Ken Canada
Chairman Bryan Baugh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board members in attendance included: Tim McKenna, Sandra Erwin, Doug Blackburn and Alternate Brian Caldwell. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector was also in attendance.
Tim McKenna made a motion to amend the Agenda and place Reorganizational Meeting at the end of the Agenda. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed.
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 #254957 Brian & Cathy Beatty
Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing an addition to the existing home located at 5783 Woodland Drive, also known as Lot 21 of White City Beach Subdivision. The applicants are requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback from twenty-five feet (25’) to 5.9 feet and exceed the lot coverage requirement from 36% to 40.8%. The property is situated in the “R-3” Residential District. All fees have been paid.
No board member had a conflict.
Seth Herrnstein was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Herrnstein indicated that an existing 7’ 6” addition is in bad shape and it will be torn down and rebuilt. The rebuilt will extend an additional two feet (2’) into the rear yard and be placed on an approved foundation. Measurements were taken of adjacent buildings and the addition will be in line with the neighborhood homes.
Tim McKenna questioned if the entrance is on the side. Mr. Herrnstein indicated that was correct.
Chairman Baugh noted that the addition will line up with the other neighborhood homes.
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 Items 1 – 5 and Item 7 and agreed by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 6.
Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #254947. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #254959 Tom Zaciewski
Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing an addition to the existing home at 4270 E. Linda Drive, also known as Lot 35 of Krempas Golf & Lakeview Subdivision. The applicants are requesting the reduction of the rear yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to twenty-three feet (23’) and the side yard setback from ten feet (10’) to six feet (6’). The property is located in the “R-1” Residential District. All fees have been paid.
No board member had a conflict.
Tom Zaciewski was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Zaciewski commented that he would like to have an addition installed off the rear of the home for a master bathroom. Mr. Zaciewski indicated that he has talked with the neighbor to the west and they were fine with the addition.
Brian Caldwell questioned if the addition will match the house. Mr. Zaciewski noted that the addition will be symmetrically the same. Mr. Caldwell noted that the application is a modest request.
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 Items 1 – 5 and Item 7 and disagreed by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 6.
Sandra Erwin made a motion to approve Case #254959. The motion was seconded Doug Blackburn. Motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #254960 Charles & Rebecca Laird
Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing the installation of an accessory building and are requesting to exceed the height limitation of fifteen feet (15’) to twenty-three feet (23’) and to exceed the cumulative accessory building square footage total of 950 square feet to 2,102 square feet. The property is located at 3970 N. Mary Ann Drive, also known as Lot 4 of Chestnut Oaks Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-1” Residential District. All fees have been paid.
Charles Laird was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Laird would like to build an accessory building to store his recreational vehicle, platoon boat, and utility trailer. The height is needed because of the door height required for the stored items. The building will be architecturally similar to the home and similar in height.
Chairman Baugh questioned if the accessory building will have living area and/or a bathroom. Mr. Laird commented that the building will not have living area and will not have a bathroom. The building will be serviced by electric.
Sandra Erwin questioned the sides. Mr. Laird noted that the sides will be steel with the color similar to the house. The roof color will be driftwood.
Brian Caldwell questioned whether the neighbors have an opinion. Mr. Laird indicated that he has letters from three (3) adjacent property owners supporting the variance request.
Ms. Erwin questioned if the building will have gutters. Mr. Laird indicated that the building will have gutters.
Ken Canada provided the Board a letter from Sharen Potter, 4560 E. Terrace Circle. Ms. Potter was unable to attend due to recent surgery. Ms. Potter commented that a large commercial sized structure in a residential neighborhood is unsightly, harms her ability to enjoy her property and could negatively impact her resale value.
Ken Canada was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Canada questioned the legal limit of vehicles transported on state highways. Mr. Laird commented that his recreational vehicle is a fifth wheel and is 13’ 6’’ in height. Mr. Laird indicated that he avoids bridges which are less than fourteen feet (14’) in height.
Mr. Canada commented that the proposed building is bigger than his commercial building located in Marblehead. Mr. Canada commented on the large number of big houses with high peaks. Mr. Canada stated that he does not want to see large buildings when he looks out his back window. It is a big building in a residential area.
Kathleen Stierwalt was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Stierwalt stated that it is a large building with gutters, which may produce additional rain water. Ms. Stierwalt indicated she was a retired Air Force veteran and believes in rules. Mr. Laird noted that a french drain was installed to the left of his drive way and the rain water will be directed to the drain. If needed, will trench to the french drain.
Mr. Blackburn noted that if attached to the house, a variance would not be required.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Board reviewed the Finding of Fact. The Board agreed with the applicants by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 1, 4, 5 and 7; agreed with the applicants by a 3 – 2 vote on Item 3 and disagreed with the applicants by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 2 and 6.
Sandra Erwin made a motion to approve Case #254960. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Approval of Minutes – December 9, 2020
The meeting minutes from the December 9, 2020 meeting was mailed to each member. Tim McKenna moved to approve the December 9, 2020 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded Brian Caldwell. Motion passed.
Reorganization
Brian Caldwell made a motion that the following Slate of Officers be approved for 2021:
Bryan Baugh Chairman
Jack Zeigler Vice Chairman
Sandra Erwin Secretary
The motion was seconded by Tim McKenna. Motion passed.
Other Business
No other business to conduct.
Adjournment
Brian Caldwell moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________ _______________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary