CATAWBA ISLAND TOWNSHIP
ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 23, 2025
Attendees
Mireille Krempa Roger Krempa Linda Holcomb
Lori Harris Allyn Soper Kathryn Soper
Sonya Rose Andrea Szabo Ron Szabo
Daryl Roston Teresa Roston Dorothy Baker
William Baker Lisa Wammes Matt Wammes
John Netherland Linda Netherland Robert Michel, Jr.
Nancy Oreskovich Mark Bruyere Michael Braun
Ginny Simonis Michael Simonis Brendan O’Malley
Don Wendel Diane Belden Rita Hathaway
Robert Hathaway Georgia Kaufman Jim Kaufman
Gretchen Brady Ben Brady Carol Clemons
Nancy Delpercio Lori Delpercio Robert Lawitzke
Cathy Coffman Deb Waddell Lisa Violette
Jeremy Archer Heather Archer Jack Madison
Erik Anderson Amy Anderson Barbara Kahler
Walter Lindsey Linda Rinehart Andy Rinehart
Ray Petersen Judy Petersen Erik Funtgeld
Bill Vondra Robert Sutz Michael Conrath
Kimberly Shelor-Schaffer Rob Lenthe Duane Waite
Julie Waite Kim Shoemaker Michael O’Donnell
Claudia O’Donnell Annette Stewart Daniel Stewart
Kim Leneghan Leah Leneghan Jodie Gulas
Sandra Schaffner Sandy Ridge Ann Rumpf
Kimberly Lammlein Kevin Scholz Charles Knotek
Paula Conroy Leonard Lammlein Shawn Ladd
Aldamaria Ladd Christina George Travis Trent
Paul Ochs Tina Ochs Cindy Brown
Larry Brown Mary Jane Porozynski Heather Macdonald
Jacquelyn Fry Brendan O’Mallery
Members of the Commission in attendance were Chairperson Jordan Davenport, Paul Shaw, Dr. Gregory Hart, Matt Gottron and Alternate David Wonnell. Also in attendance were Matt Montowski, Trustee, and Todd Bickley, Zoning Inspector and Commission Secretary.
Chairperson Davenport called the meeting of the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. For the record, he identified the date as April 23, 2025.
Chairperson Davenport reviewed the agenda.
Agenda Item 1 – Applications
Agenda Item 2 – Approval of prior Meeting Minutes
Agenda Item 3 – Unfinished Business
Agenda Item 4 – New Business
Agenda Item 1 – Applications
Case # 737674 Mastercraft Development, Inc. (Jon Kriegel) – “R-1” to “R-3”
Chairman Davenport questioned if the Case # was correct and Secretary Bickley indicated that it was correct. Chairman Davenport questioned if a legal description was filed and Secretary Bickley noted that a legal description is on file.
Chairman Davenport questioned if any of the Board members had a conflict. No Board members had a conflict.
Chairman Davenport requested a historical review of the parcel. Secretary Bickley stated that a previous owner had requested a rezoning request from the “A” District to the “R-E” District in 2005 to develop a PUD. The application was approved by the township but a petition was filed with the Board of Elections placing the rezoning request on the 2005 November ballot. Prior to the vote, the property owner filed another rezoning application to request a change from the “A” to the “R-1” District. The rezoning request to the “R-E” District was defeated at the ballot and the trustees approved the rezoning application to the “R-1” District, which was not challenged.
Secretary Bickley reviewed the rezoning application process.
Paul Shaw read correspondence from Robert Cachat, Marylue & John Carroll, Cathy & Tony Kegley, and Charlie & Linda Knotek.
Chairman Davenport read the recommendation letter from the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission which was for disapproval of the rezoning application.
Chairman Davenport recognized Rob Lenthe, the applicant’s representative. Mr. Lenthe commented that the applicant does not have a definite plan, but is asking for another 12-15 homes, which would be allowed by the “R-3” Residential District. The homes would be single-family homes and the development would have a retention pond in the middle with the road circling the pond. Chairman Davenport questioned the number of homes that would be allowed in the “R-1” District. Mr. Lenthe noted that backing out the area for the road and retention pond, approximately seventeen (17) acres would allow for thirty-four (34) homes while the owner is looking for about forty-five (45) homes. Chairman Davenport reviewed the minimum size requirements for the “R-1” and “R-3” Residential Districts.
Chairman Davenport recognized Ron Szabo. Mr. Szabo noted that the previous property owner attempted to develop the property, but stopped because the ground is saturated with chemicals.
Chairman Davenport commented that the Ohio EPA would need to be contacted and Mr. Lenthe noted that soil samples will need to be done, but first the property owner wanted to know if the rezoning request would be approved. Mr. Lenthe commented that the owner is also addressing the wetland issue. Chairman Davenport stated that the property owner will need to work with the EPA on the wetlands issue as well.
Chairman Davenport recognized Dan Wilson, who expressed concern with flooding issues. Mr. Lenthe indicated that the owner will need to work with the County and various governmental agencies to address drainage. Mr. Wilson also expressed concern with wildlife displacement.
Chairman Davenport recognized Charles Knotek who noted that wetlands on the site that is eliminated will need to be replaced somewhere else. Mr. Lenthe indicated that the owner is figuring out whether the property will be rezoned to the “R-3” District and understands that wetland delineation will need to be completed.
Chairman Davenport recognized Brendan O’Mallery who made the following comments: the “R-3” zoning classification is in contradiction of the land use plan, concerned that the applicants do not have a development plan, concerned with setting a precedent with a higher density, and the rezoning request should not be approved.
Chairman Davenport recognized Linda Holcomb. Ms. Holcomb questioned if the EPA has been contacted. Mr. Lenthe indicated that the process is just starting and the applicant was aware of that the previous owner ran into some issues.
Chairman Davenport recognized Gretchen Brady who wanted to confirm the access. Mr. Lenthe reviewed the access location which was the drive to the north of Ms. Brady’s property along the tree line.
Chairman Davenport recognized Travis Trent. Mr. Trent questioned lot coverage and Secretary Bickley indicated that the maximum lot coverage for the “R-1” District was 33% and 36% for the “R-3” District.
Chairman Davenport recognized Ray Petersen. Mr. Petersen commented that the development with “R-3” zoning would have smaller homes which would diminish the house values of the existing properties. Mr. Lenthe did not agree with Mr. Petersen’s assessment. Secretary Bickley noted that an 11,000 square foot lot would be allowed building coverage of nearly 4,000 square feet.
Chairman Davenport recognized Carol Clemons. Ms. Clemons expressed concern with the drainage and water issues and commented that she has approached the Black Swamp Conservancy.
Chairman Davenport recognized Mike O’Donnell who questioned the rationale of increasing density as compared to the existing neighborhood.
Chairman Davenport recognized Leonard Lammlein who expressed concern with the access and the number of additional cars which will eventually head north on NW Catawba Road.
Chairman Davenport noted that the site has only one (1) entrance.
Chairman Davenport recognized Ray Peterson who reviewed the goals of the land use plan.
Chairman Davenport recognized Heather McDonald who expressed concern with wildlife and where they may go. Ms. McDonald noted that Catawba Cliffs do not allow fencing to assist the wildlife.
Chairman Davenport recognized Ben Brady. Mr. Brady questioned the right-of-way. Secretary Bickley noted that road right-of-way is fifty feet (50’) and if a twenty (20) foot road was centered within the right-of-way, then the edge of the road would be fifteen feet (15’) from the property line.
Chairman Davenport recognized Rita Hathaway. Ms. Hathaway noted that the additional homes will result in more people which would put pressure on the township to provide additional services.
Chairman Davenport closed discussion from the floor. Mr. Davenport noted that when considering a rezoning application, the following should be considered: will the rezoning preserve property values, is the rezoning necessary, and is the rezoning good zoning practice.
The Board members did not have questions.
Dr. Gregory Hart made a motion to deny Case #737674 as submitted. The motion was seconded by David Wonnell. The motion to deny Case 737674 was approved by a 4 – 0 vote with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Davenport did not vote.
Trustee Montowski noted that the Trustees hearing will be scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Monday, May 19, 2025 and held at the Community Hall.
Agenda Item 2 – Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
The February, 2025 Meeting Minutes stand approved as written and emailed.
Agenda Item 3 Unfinished Business
Secretary Bickley suggested that the commission meet in May to continue discussion on possible text amendments.
Agenda Item 4 New Business
No new business to conduct.
Other Business
William Baker commented that zoning should consider prohibiting canopies at existing gas stations, such as the gas pumps at Midway Marina.
Kim Schafer questioned whether plans have been submitted for the Noreaster property. Secretary Bickley indicated that an amended PUD plan has not been submitted to the township.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Todd Bickley
Secretary