MINUTES OF THE CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
Attendees
Jeff Baney
Brenda Smith
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, Tim McKenna, Jack Ziegler and Alternate 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.
Brian Caldwell replaced Sandra Erwin, who was absent.
New Business
Case #331922 – David & Brenda Markle
Todd Bickley read the facts of the case. The applicants are proposing a three (3) car attached garage on property located at 5553 E. Helmsman and also known as Lot 147 of Johnson’s Landing Subdivision C. The applicants are requesting to exceed the lot coverage requirement from 36% to 41%. The property is zoned “R-3” Residential District. Mr. Bickley noted that Dave Markle is in California and Brenda Markle flew out this morning to visit grandchildren. Neighbor Jeff Baney is in attendance to address the case.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Jeff Baney, representing the applicants, was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Mr. Baney indicated that the property owners propose to construct a three (3) car garage, connected to the house. The lot coverage is not met because of the deck that was previously constructed.
Chairman Baugh questioned the breezeway. Mr. Baney indicated that the breezeway will be enclosed. Chairman Baugh questioned if steps will be needed or whether the garage is at grade. Mr. Baney indicated that steps would not be required. Mr. Baney noted that the structure will have two (2) garage doors.
Doug Blackburn questioned the upper level. Mr. Baney stated that the building will be used for storage, including the upper level. Chairman Baugh questioned if a bathroom will be installed. Mr. Baney noted that it was his understanding that the building will not have a bathroom.
Mr. Blackburn noted that the total square footage should be 2,627 square feet versus 2,677 square feet. The drawing identified the deck at 426 square feet while the application indicates 476 square feet. As a result, the lot coverage decreases from 41% to 40.5%.
Tim McKenna questioned if the building will be insulated and heated. Mr. Baney indicated that the applicant will want the building to eventually be heated.
Chairman Baugh closed the discussion to 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, 3, 4, 5, and 7; and disagreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Item #2 and by a 4 – 1 vote on Item #6.
Tim McKenna made a motion to approve Case #331922 with the amendment that the lot coverage requirement be reduced from 41% to 40.5%, and with the following conditions: no outside steps, no building addition beyond what is proposed and no living space upstairs. The motion was seconded by Jack Ziegler. All Board members voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Case #331925 Steven & Brenda Smith
Todd Bickley read the facts of the case. The applicants are Steven & Brenda Smith and the property location is 1978 NE Catawba Road. The parcel contains 0.66 acres and is located in Section 3, Lot 2. The applicants proposed a home occupation in a garage that contains the 1,024 square feet, exceeding the 600 square foot requirement. However, the applicants propose to use 448 square feet of the garage for the home occupation. In addition, the applicants propose a nine (9) square foot home occupation sign, which exceeds the three (3) square foot requirement. The property is located in the “A” district.
No Board member had a conflict of interest.
Brenda Smith was sworn in by Chairman Baugh. Ms. Smith indicated that she intends to operate a custom canvas shop in the garage. Chairman Baugh questioned the sign dimensions. Ms. Smith indicated that the final dimensions have not been determined.
Chairman Baugh questioned the portion of the garage to be used for the home occupation. Ms. Smith indicated that the garage will be used for overflow. Doug Blackburn questioned why the need for a home occupation permit. Ms. Smith noted that the garage will be for appointments only.
Chairman Baugh noted that commercial is across the street and to the south of the property.
The finding of fact was reviewed by the Board. The Board agreed with the applicant by a 5 – 0 vote on Items 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7; agreed with the applicant by a 4 – 1 vote on Item #2 and disagreed by a 5 – 0 vote on Item #6.
Brian Caldwell made a motion to approve Case #331925, subject to the condition that the square footage assigned to the home occupation does not exceed 448 square feet. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. All Board members voted in favor of the motion. Chairman Baugh did not vote.
Approval of Minutes – August 14, 2019
The meeting minutes from the August 14, 2019 meeting was mailed to each member. Tim McKenna moved to approve the August 14, 2019 meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed. Jack Ziegler abstained.
Other Business
Mr. Bickley informed the Board that the Mike Voll’s garage addition is nearing completion. The appeal time frame ends September 14, 2019.
Mr. Bickley informed the Board that Andrew Cali does not want to remove the shed from his property located 5350 Hull Road. The Board approved Mr. Cali’s variance last month with the condition that the shed would be removed. Mr. Cali has informed the zoning office that the deck addition will be 5’ x 8’ instead of 10’ by 6’. Mr. Bickley noted that the distance of the shed from the house is approximately eleven feet (11’). On behalf of Mr. Cali, Mr. Bickley requested that the shed removal condition be eliminated from the approval.
Tim McKenna made a motion that the variance approval for Case #331916 be amended to eliminate the condition that the shed be removed as long as the shed remains at least five feet (5’) from any portion of the house. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. Motion passed.
Chairman Baugh noted that the Township Trustees approved and modified the Mon Ami rezoning from the “C-2” district to the “C-1” district. As a result, a conditional use application will need to be obtained from the Board for a hotel.
The Board reviewed the zoning of The Orchard and noted that the property to the north is zoned “A”, which would require a conditional use permit for a Bed & Breakfast Inn.
Adjournment
Tim McKenna moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug Blackburn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________ ________________________________
Bryan Baugh, Chairman Sandra Erwin, Secretary