WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES
March 26, 2007
The Washington Township Board of Zoning Appeals met in regular session on March 26, 2007 in the Meeting Room of Washington Township Government Center. Members of the Board present were Mr. Horine, Mrs. Mulligan, Mrs. Gastineau (as alternate) and Mr. Gross (as alternate). Mr. Ciambrone and Mrs. Fischer were excused.
Call to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Horine explained the hearing format and voting procedure.
The Oath was administered by Mr. Horine.
MOTION – Mrs. Mulligan moved the minutes of March 12, 2007 be approved as submitted.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Gastineau.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, abstain; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mrs. Gastineau, yes; Mr. Gross, yes.
Mr. Horine - Announced to the Board that the applicant in Case A-1493 requested this case be tabled to the April 23, 2007 Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting.
Case A-1492 – Kids are Tops Gymnastics, 7644 Paragon Road
Request is for a variance to increase the maximum height of an identification wall sign from the maximum permitted fourteen feet (14’) to approximately fifteen feet, five inches (15’5”) to allow for a new identification wall sign for a new building located in a Business (B-2) zoning district.
Jack Kuntz , Zoning Inspector, presented the case.
Applicant represented by Steve Bahns of Sign-O-Rama, 916 Columbus Avenue, Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Bahns gave presentation to the Board and showed pictures of what the sign would look like at 14’ and also at 15’8”. He then discussed alternatives for the sign and gave reasons why they chose 15’8” over the other options.
Mr. Horine – Applicant discussed the variance request. Though the application requests 15’5”, applicant would like the sign to be 15’8”.
Mr. Horine – Asked if they are considering a monument sign?
Mr. Bahns – Indicated they have talked with the developer, J & E, about a free standing sign but there are no definite plans for such sign.
Citizens voicing concerns, question and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Board remarks, concerns, and questions included:
There was discussion among the board members.
Hearing closed.
Motion – Mrs. Mulligan moved in Case A-1492 to approve applicant’s request for a variance to increase the maximum height of an identification wall sign from the maximum permitted fourteen feet (14’) to approximately fifteen feet, eight inches (15’8”) to allow for a new identification wall sign for a new building located in a Business (B-2) zoning district.
Motion seconded by Mr. Gross.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mrs. Gastineau, yes; Mr. Gross, yes.
Case A-1492 approved.
Case A-1494 – Rose Valley Lake, Lamar Companies, Greenery Inc., Scott Dorrough – 615-699 Lyons Road
Request is for a variance to increase the permitted time schedule for seasonal outdoor sales of lawn and garden material in a Planned Development Business (PD-B) zoning district.
Jack Kuntz , Zoning Inspector, presented the case.
Applicant represented by Scott Dorrough, 1068 Chestnut Hill Lane. Mr. Dorrough addressed the Board with a history of his business and the various locations the business has occupied.
Mr. Horine – Asked if the business uses any lights or if it is open dawn to dusk?
Mr. Dorrough – Stated there are no lights involved and that the business is open dawn to dusk.
Mr. Horine – Questioned if the business uses any signs.
Mr. Dorrough – They use a 4’x 5’ sign that is permitted by the township.
Mr. Gross – Asked if there are any more garden businesses in the township?
Mr. Kuntz – Indicated that most are in agricultural locations; thus, they are exempt from zoning.
Citizens voicing concerns, question and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Board remarks, concerns, and questions included: None.
Hearing closed.
Motion – Mr. Gross moved in Case A-1494 to approve applicant’s request for a variance to increase the permitted time schedule from April 15, 2007 through July 15, 2007 for seasonal outdoor sales of lawn and garden material in a Planned Development Business (PD-B) zoning district.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Gastineau.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mrs. Gastineau, yes; Mr. Gross, yes.
Case A-1494 approved.
Case A-1495 – H. Charles & Dianne J. Buchanan, 9710-9716 Fairwind Court
Request is for a variance to decrease the rear yard set back from the required fifty feet (50’) to thirty feet (30’) to allow for a new multi-family project, located in a Special Use (SU) zoning district.
Jack Kuntz , Zoning Inspector, presented the case.
Applicant represented by H. Charles Buchanan, 1250 Timberwyck Court. Mr. Buchanan went over the environmentally friendly part of the house.
Mr. Horine – Asked about the square footage of the project.
Mrs. Mulligan – Questioned if it will be a two-story building or a ranch?
Mr. Buchanan- Indicated the end units are ranch with basements and the two units on the inside are two-story.
There was discussion between Mr. Horine and Mr. Buchanan in reference to the garage.
Mr. Horine and Mrs. Mulligan – Asked if there were any elevation drawings?
Mr. Buchanan – Stated that they were still in the preliminary stages of the project and wants to get the variance approved first.
Mrs. Buchanan – Presented to the Board the front elevations they currently have.
Mrs. Buchanan – Stated she spoke with the current renters and the owners of the surrounding buildings and all have stated they do not have any objections to the project. She stated one reason why there were no objections is because they plan on living there.
There was discussion regarding the building plans and the elevations.
Mrs. Gastineau – Questioned if the garages weren’t there, would it be possible to meet the 50’ setback?
Mr. Buchanan – They would have to go with a one-car garage and indicated it would affect other features of the house.
Mrs. Buchanan – Added that the units will cost approximately $150,000 to $200,000, which is more than other units are going for. They have friends who want one of the units.
Mr. Horine – Asked if there is any buffer landscaping.
Mrs. Buchanan – The back of the property will be mounded with ornamental grasses and evergreens where easement permits.
Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Horine – Discussed the fact that other properties do not have landscaping.
Mr. Buchanan – Stated they would put landscaping if it would help the variance.
Citizens voicing concerns, question and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Board remarks, concerns, and questions included:
The Board discussed the variance request and their concerns.
Mr. Horine- Concerned with the lack of elevations and the size of the project.
Mr. Gross – Stated the applicant did a good job with the design but feels that the project is too large for the lot.
Hearing closed.
Motion – Mr. Gross moved in Case A-1495 to approve applicant’s request for a variance to decrease the rear yard set back from the required fifty feet (50’) to thirty feet (30’) to allow for a new multi-family project located in a Special Use (SU) zoning district.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Mulligan.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, no; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mrs. Gastineau, no; Mr. Gross, no.
Case A-1495 denied.
In other business:
The Board discussed the new site plan submitted by Saddlecreek to staff for a zoning certificate for the sales trailer. The site plan was different from the approved site plan in Case A-1483. There were no objections from the Board to the new site plan as long as applicant continues to meet all requirements as stated in the original case.
Meeting adjourned. A tape recording of this proceeding is on file in the Zoning office.
Dan Horine, Acting Chairman
Washington Township Board of Zoning Appeals
BZA\Minutes\March 26, 2007