BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES

 

JUNE 12, 2006

 

 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mickley at 7:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Alex Kessler, Barbara Timmons, Richard Mickley, Harry McMannis, Nevin Taylor   Excused:  Kelly Thornton, Greg Faulkner

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Zoning Inspector McCoy, Clerk Patterson, Nikki Smith, Tony Jordan, Matthew Levy, Suzy Zumwalde, Jim Page, Eric Phillips, Dennis Schulze

 

Mr. Mickley noted that the ordinance that was passed by City Council changing the BZA language in the Code was distributed and would become effective on June 30, 2006.  The Rules of Procedure will be discussed at the July meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  There being no additions or corrections, the minutes for the meeting on May 8, 2006 were approved as distributed.

 

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Board agreed to move agenda item #3 to #1.

 

3.                 Requesting a variance for fence to have 4’ front setback on LaCosta Drive. 25’ front setback required in the Links subdivision; R-2 zoning district; filed by Thomas M. Smith II, 1520 Fox Fire Drive, Marysville, Ohio 43040.

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  Codified Ordinance 1139.21(a)(3) requires a functional fence be located no closer to the street than the front setback line, which is 25’ in this subdivision.  Please note that there is a 10’ easement along the sidewalk on this lot.  This would prevent the homeowner from placing any permanent structure, including fences, on the easement.  The closest to the sidewalk he could place a fence is 10’ from the right-of-way, which would be 11’ from the sidewalk.

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:

 

Ms. Nikki Smith addressed the Board.  She is requesting the fence to be located 7’ from the sidewalk.  This would place the fence just around the playground area so it would not have to be moved.  Ms. McCoy stated the sanitary sewer line is in the easement. 

 

Mr. Taylor moved to grant the variance with the condition that the fence to be 11’ from the sidewalk with bump out around the playground area, seconded by Mrs. Timmons and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. Kessler  YES  Mrs. Timmons  YES  Mr. Mickley  YES  Mr.McMannis  YES  Mr. Taylor  YES

 

Variance granted.

 

1.                 Requesting a variance for a stairway to be 2’ from side property line vs. minimum 6’ side setback required; located at the Movie Gallery, 333 S. Main Street; B-R zoning district; filed by James Page for G-Zero Marysville LLC, 1401 Malvern, Suite 272, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  Codified Ordinance 1137.21(I) requires a minimum of 6’ side setback for the main structure and a lot.  The stairway that has been constructed for use of the side door is only 2’ from the side property line on the north side of the property.

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:  Mr. Jim Page addressed the Board.  The stairway is already constructed and he is requesting that it be allowed to stay.  It will be used for a service entrance only, not an emergency exit, although if necessary, people could exit through that door.  This entrance cannot be an emergency exit because there is no room for a handicap ramp because of sewer and power line issues.  The neighbor has no problem with the steps being left there.  Board expressed concern for drainage onto the neighbor’s property.  Mr. Page stated a catch basin would be installed to eliminate the drainage issue.  The neighbor is satisfied with this plan.  Board suggested landscaping around the building to hide the steps.  Applicant agreed to landscape. 

 

DISCUSSION BY BZA MEMBERS:

Mrs. Timmons moved to grant the variance, seconded by Mr. McMannis and the question put, stood:

 

Mrs. Timmons  YES  Mr. Mickley YES  Mr. McMannis  YES  Mr. Taylor  YES  Mr. Kessler  YES

 

Variance granted.

 

2.       Requesting a conditional use to permit home occupation; to be located at 564 Quail Hollow Drive North; R-3 zoning district; filed by Matthew Levy.

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  A home occupation is a conditional use in the R-2 zoning district according to Codified Ordinance 1137.14(b).

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:  Mr. Matthew Levy, owner of Seed Technology, addressed the Board.  He is considering moving his business to his home.  He would be the only employee.  Outside interior of his home would not be altered.  Electricity would be the only utility increase.  FedEx and UPS would be the only increased traffic.  There are no chemical issues.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  None

 

DISCUSSION BY BZA MEMBERS:

Mr. Taylor moved to grant the conditional use, seconded by Mr. McMannis and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. Mickley  YES  Mr. McMannis  YES  Mr. Taylor  YES  Mr. Kessler  YES  Mrs. Timmons  YES

 

Variance granted.

 

4.                 Requesting 0’ side setback for purpose of splitting lot to enable existing building to have addition of armory attached; YMCA and National Guard building to be under separate ownership but buildings attached.  TOC and SD-1 zoning districts; 10’ side setback required; filed by Dennis A. Schulze, 110 S. Main Street, for Union County YMCA, 1150 Charles Lane.

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  Agenda items #4 and #5 work in conjunction with each other.  One is for the lot split; one is for side setback of proposed building.

 

According to Codified Ordinance 1105.23, minor lot splits are permitted if they meet several criteria, including that the resulting lots meet all applicable zoning regulations.  This includes side setbacks for any existing structure on the lot.  The National Guard has been planning for years to construct their new facility as part of the existing YMCA.  However, they must have their property be in a separate ownership.  Having the buildings attached results in side setback violations.

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:  Mr. Eric Phillips stated this building will be a community rec center.  It is important to be attached to the YMCA, but the Guard wants to own the property.  There could be 150 guardsmen at the center each month.  This will bring more to the economy of Marysville.

 

Ms. Suzy Zumwalde, Executive Director of the YMCA, realizes the importance this building is to the YMCA as well as the community.

 

County Commissioner Gary Lee stated this has been one of his lead projects for the past four years and he’s proud of this project.   County has worked very hard with the YMCA and their financing to be able to connect these two properties which is crucial for the community.  This will open opportunities for this community with the 50,000+ sq. ft. facility.  He urged the Board to allow this project.

 

Mr. Dennis Schulze stated this is just another step forward for the community.  There are plans for senior citizen activities.  There is a benefit to be gained from being able to have direct access from the one building to the other.  This makes sense for the community and asked the Board for their support. 

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  None

 

DISCUSSION BY BZA MEMBERS:

 

Mr. Taylor moved to grant the variance, seconded by Mr. Mickley and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. McMannis  YES  Mr. Kessler  YES  Mr. Mickley  YES  Mr. Taylor  YES  Mrs. Timmons  YES

 

Variance granted.

 

5.     Requesting 0’ side setback for construction of National Guard facility to be attached to existing YMCA building; YMCA and National Guard building to be under separate ownership but buildings attached.  TOC and SD-1 zoning districts; 10’ side setback required for YMCA building and 10’ side setback required for future National Guard Building; filed by Dennis A. Schulze, 110 S. Main Street, for Union County YMCA, 1150 Charles Lane.

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  See comments in #4.

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:  See comments in #4.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  None

 

DISCUSSION BY BZA MEMBERS:  Mr. Taylor moved to grant the variance, seconded by Mrs. Timmons and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. Taylor  YES  Mr. Kessler  YES  Mrs. Timmons  YES  Mr. Mickley  YES  Mr. McMannis  YES

 

Variance was granted.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.