MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
JUNE 9, 2021
Attendees
Robert H. Crabtree Camela Jacobs
James Yuko Joyce Below
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, Tim McKenna, Doug Blackburn and Alternates Flint Heidlebaugh and Brian Caldwell. Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector and Matt Montowski, Trustee was 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 no questions.
New Business
Case #155233 James Yuko & Joyce Below
Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants propose to construct a single family dwelling and are requesting an area variance to reduce the front yard setback from forty feet (40’) to twenty feet (20’) and reduce the side yard setback from twenty-five feet (25’) to twenty-three feet (23’). The property is located at 3636 N. Southway Road and is also known as Lots 404 & 405 of Catawba Cliffs Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-1” Residential District.
No board member had a conflict.
James Yuko was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Yuko indicated that they were proposing to build a new home and are requesting to reduce the front yard setback from forty feet (40’) to twenty feet (20’). The Cliffs Association has approved the site and building plans. Mr. Yuko noted that the lots are small and due to the low area of the lot, the building site is the better building location. Mr. Yuko commented that the house location meets the Cliffs Association requirement of forty feet (40’) as measured from the edge of the road pavement versus the township which measures from the road right-of-way. Mr. Yuko also noted that the house location will be consistent with the other homes in the area.
Mr. Yuko identified the side yard setback variance is not along a primary road, but more of an alley way, which allows for emergency vehicles.
Mr. Bickley stated that for zoning purposes, the twenty-five (25) foot requirement applied, thus the need to request and obtain a variance.
Chairman Baugh questioned the driveway location. Mr. Yuko indicated that the driveway would be at the northwest corner of Lot 405 at the top of the lot.
Jack Zeigler verified that Southway is the primary road. Mr. Yuko indicated that was correct.
Mr. Yuko provided a map for the Board’s review illustrating the adjacent houses with the forty (40) foot setback. Doug Blackburn commented that other houses to the south are set back further than the forty feet (40’).
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Finding of Fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board disagreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 1 and 6 and agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on the remaining items.
Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #155233 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion was approved with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #155234 James Yuko & Joyce Below
Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing the construction of an accessory building and are requesting an area variance to exceed the accessory building height requirement of fifteen feet (15’) to twenty-one feet (21’). The property is located at 3636 N. Southway Road and is also known as Lots 404 & 405 of Catawba Cliffs Subdivision. The property is situated in the “R-1” Residential District.
No board member had a conflict.
James Yuko was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Yuko indicated that an accessory building is proposed which will exceed the fifteen (15) foot height requirement. The height of the proposed building is 20 feet 3 1/8 inches. Mr. Yuko commented that the Cliffs Association has approved the accessory building.
Mr. Yuko stated that building’s purpose will be for storage, such as a boat, and it will be used for glass blowing, which is a hot type of craft. Taller ceilings will control the heat better and allow for the use of glass blowing equipment. Mr. Yuko noted that neighbors will not be impacted and that the accessory building will be the same height as the attached garage.
Chairman Baugh questioned if the location is at the northwest corner of the property, on the higher ground. Mr. Yuko indicated that it would be on the same plane as the driveway.
Tim McKenna questioned access. Mr. Yuko indicated at the back of the property.
Chairman Baugh questioned if the garage doors would be on the twenty-four (24) foot side. Mr. Yuko indicated that was correct.
Mr. McKenna questioned if the building will have gutters and downspouts. Mr. Yuko indicated that gutters and downspouts will be placed on the building. Mr. McKenna questioned if the building will have plumbing. Mr. Yuko stated that electric and gas will be provided, but plumbing will not.
Doug Blackburn questioned if the glass blowing will be a business. Mr. Yuko commented that it is only a hobby. Mr. Blackburn questioned the interior for fire concerns. Mr. Yuko indicated that the floor will be concrete, the equipment is self-contained and fireboard will be placed on the walls and ceilings.
Robert Crabtree was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Crabtree questioned if the residence will be a primary residence. Mr. Yuko indicated that it will be the primary residence.
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, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 and agreed with the applicant by a 3 – 2 vote on Item 6.
Sandra Erwin made a motion to approve Case #115234 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Jack Zeigler and all members voted in the affirmative. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #155221 Chad & Mary Gunerra
Tim McKenna made a motion to remove Case #155221 from the table. The motion was seconded by Jack Zeigler. Motion passed.
Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing the construction of a single family dwelling and are requesting an area variance to reduce the rear yard setback from thirty-five feet (35’) to twenty feet (20’). The property is located at 3825 N. Cliff Road and is also known as Lot 140, excluding the south ten feet (10’), of the Catawba Cliffs Subdivision. The property is situated in the “R-1” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Mr. Bickley reminded the Board members that the case was tabled to allow the applicant to address the electrical lines with Ohio Edison and if the house was moved closer to the road, would approval be obtained from the Association for the new location. Mr. Bickley informed the Board members that he had a phone conversation with Chad Gunerra who indicated that he is proposing to sell have of Lot 140 (current house location) to the adjacent property owner to the north and acquire Lot 141, which is to the south of Lot 140. The house would then be situated further to the south on Lot 141. Mr. Gunerra requested that the application remain tabled until the transfers occur and verification that the new house location complies with the Association and township regulations.
Tim McKenna made a motion to table the application. The motion was seconded by Jack Zeigler. Motion passed.
Mr. Bickley informed the audience that the next BZA meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The meeting will be held at the Administration Building on Cemetery Road.
Case #155223 Eric Jacobs & Jonathon Mast
Jack Zeigler made a motion to remove Case #155223 from the table. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin and the motion passed.
Sandra Erwin read the case facts. The applicants are proposing a four (4) lot subdivision (The Estates of Lake Point) and the home located at 3522 NW Catawba Road will front on a road to be known as Kalalujah Lake Drive. The applicants propose to install an accessory building (enclosed carport) and they are requesting an area variance to allow the accessory building to be placed on the concrete pad which is situated in front of the home. The property is zoned “R-1” Residential District.
No Board member had a conflict.
Camela Jacobs was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Jacobs indicated that a four (4) lot subdivision with a private road is being proposed and as a result, the rear yard for the existing home changes. There is no room behind the house to place an accessory building and the intent is to place the building on the existing pad, which was the location of a previous accessory building. Ms. Jacobs indicated that this lot will be sold and they will retain one of the remaining lots.
Chairman Baugh reviewed the drawing. Ms. Jacobs indicated that the building will have a door and windows and be constructed to match the existing home.
Tim McKenna verified that the structure will be on the concrete pad. Ms. Jacobs indicated that the building will be placed on the pad.
Jack Ziegler noted that it will be a stand-alone structure and Ms. Jacobs indicated that was correct.
Sandra Erwin questioned gutters. Ms. Jacobs was not sure, but most likely will have gutters.
Chairman Baugh closed discussion from the floor.
The Finding of Fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicants by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 1, 4 and 5; agreed with the applicants by a 4 – 1 vote on Items 2, 3 and 7; and disagreed with the applicants by a 4 – 1 vote on Item 6.
Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #155223 as submitted. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin. The motion passed with Tim McKenna, Sandra Erwin and Chairman Baugh voting in favor of the motion; and Dough Blackburn and Jack Zeigler voting against the motion.
Approval of Minutes – May 12, 2021
The meeting minutes from the May 12, 2021 meeting was mailed to each member. Tim McKenna moved to approve the May 12, 2021 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded Sandy Erwin. Motion passed. Doug Blackburn abstained.
Other Business
Mr. Bickley noted that the Board’s meetings will returned to the Administration Building.
Adjournment
Doug Blackburn moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Sandra Erwin. The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________ _______________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary