BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES

 

AUGUST 14, 2006

 

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

 

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

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Zoning Inspector McCoy, Clerk Patterson, Rita Flory, Tim Long, Theresa O’Brien

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  There being no additions or corrections, the minutes for the meeting on July 10, 2006 were approved as distributed.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.     Requesting a variance for addition of existing garage to have 3.5’ side setback as opposed to minimum of 5’ side setback required, R-2 zoning district; filed by Rita R. Flory, 305 W. 9th Street, Marysville, OH  43040

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  Ms. McCoy cited Codified Ordinance 1137.13(j) requires a minimum of 5’ side setback for an accessory building.  The applicant is requesting 3.5’ side setback to build an addition on to an older existing garage.

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:  Ms. Rita Flory addressed the Board.  She wants to expand her garage to accommodate her car.  The existing garage gives her only 3” between her car and her garage door when closed and even then her front bumper is against the wall of the garage.  She has already gotten permission to expand the 8’ door to a 9’ garage door.  She is asking to add an additional 4’ to the building to use as storage for her lawn equipment. This addition would extend into the yard.  She plans to put a second garage door on the new addition so that she can enter from the alley.  She said she would put in a gravel driveway for that entrance.  The Board cautioned her about a gravel driveway.  It must be either paved or washed gravel.  Applicant said she would use washed gravel with plans to pave it in the future.  Ms. McCoy confirmed that lot coverage is 21%, so applicant is within the 25% permitted.  Ms. Flory plans to side the garage with white siding to match the existing garage.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  No comments.

 

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

 

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

 

Variance granted.

 

2.     Requesting 18’ front setback to replace existing front porch vs. minimum front setback 35’ required; R-2 zoning district; filed by O’Brien Homes, Inc., 920 N. Main Street, for Lisa Little, 517 W. 7th Street, Marysville, Ohio  43040

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  Ms. McCoy cited Codified Ordinance 1137.13(i) requires minimum front setback of 30’.  Applicant is requesting 18’ in order to replace a porch that is 5 foot by 5 foot and is in state of disrepair.  Ms. McCoy noted a discrepancy in the figure for the front setback as shown on the agenda and her memorandum.  The correct number is 30’.  Ms. McCoy stated a neighbor came to her office today to question where the setback is figured from.  Setback is figured 1’ inside the sidewalk.  He had no problem with the applicant’s request for the front porch.  He thought it was a good idea. 

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:  Ms. Theresa O’Brien of O’Brien Homes addressed the Board.  They are the contractor for Lisa Little, homeowner.  Ms. Little currently has about a 5’ stoop on the front of her house.  Request is for an 8’ deep and 28’ wide covered porch.  Will have cedar rails and handrails.  Mr. Thornton asked if measurement was the interior porch or the overhang of the roofing.  Response was not the overhang.  1’ overhang needs to be added. 

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  No comments.

 

DISCUSSION BY BZA MEMBERS:  Mr. Taylor moved to grant the variance because it will add value to the community, seconded by Mrs. Timmons and the question put, stood:

 

Mr. Thornton noted the typo, 30’ vs. 35’.  Request should read 18’ front setback from the 30’ setback required.

 

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

 

Variance granted.

 

3.     Requesting a variance for fence to have 1’ front setback on Pepper Lane; 25’ front setback required in the Mill Valley subdivision; R-2 zoning district; filed by Molly and Tim Long, 1491 Village Drive, Marysville, OH  43040.

 

COMMENTS OF ZONING INSPECTOR AND/OR DESIGNEE:  Ms. McCoy cited 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 the Mill Valley Subdivision, not 30’ because it’s a platted subdivision.

 

COMMENTS OF REQUESTER:  Mr. & Mrs. Tim Long addressed the Board.  They are requesting a fence for their dogs and future children.  Plans are for a wooden picket fence, 3-1/2’ high, to be painted white.  Mr. Faulkner expressed concern for the trees in the tree lawn blocking the visibility at the corner.  The limbs are currently 2-1/2-3’ off the ground.  Visibility will be compromised once the fence is up.  Applicant was unsure if the trees belong to them or the City.  Ms. McCoy stated the trees are the owner’s responsibility, and the ordinance requires trees to be trimmed and out of the way of the sidewalk.  Owner will prune the trees in accordance with the City ordinance.  Mr. Mickley cautioned the applicant about putting a fence in the easement.  Applicant will put a gate in the fence.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS:  No comments.

 

DISCUSSION BY BZA MEMBERS:  Mr. Thornton noted the “Description of the Variance says 1’ from sidewalk and 0’ front setback and the agenda item is written as only a 1’ front setback.  He asked for clarification that it’s a 1’ front setback.  Ms. McCoy stated it’s a 1’ front setback and from sidewalk a 0’ setback.  0’ front setback means 1’ from the sidewalk. 

 

Mr. Thornton moved to grant the variance for a fence to have a 0’ front setback on Pepper Lane, 25’ setback required in the Mill Valley subdivision; R-2 zoning district, seconded by Mrs. Timmons and the question put, stood:

 

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

 

Variance granted.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business to come before the Board of Zoning Appeals, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.