WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
BOARD
OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES
June 11, 2007
The Washington Township Board of Zoning Appeals met in regular session on June 11, 2007 in the Meeting Room of Washington Township Government Center. Members of the Board present were Mr. Horine, Mrs. Mulligan, Mr. Ciambrone and Mrs. Fischer.
Call to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Ciambrone explained the hearing format and voting procedure.
The Oath was administered by Mr. Ciambrone.
MOTION – Mrs. Fischer moved the minutes of April 23, 2007 be approved as submitted.
Motion seconded by Mr. Ciambrone.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, abstain; Mr. Ciambrone, yes; Mrs. Fischer, yes.
MOTION – Mrs. Fischer moved the minutes of May 14, 2007 be approved as submitted.
Motion seconded by Mr. Ciambrone.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, abstain; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mr. Ciambrone, yes; Mrs. Fischer, yes.
Case A-1502 – Yankee Enterprises, Inc., 8150 Yankee Street
Request is for a variance to decrease the front yard set back from the required sixty feet (60’) to forty feet (40’) to allow for an addition to an existing car wash located in a Business 2 (B-2) zoning district.
Andy Ehrhart , Zoning & GIS Manager, presented the case.
Applicant represented by Tom Ratliff, 8150 Yankee Street. Mr. Ratliff explained that when they were doing the drawings that area was not considered as the front yard. Several other options were taken into consideration; however, they would not allow this to occur. Also looked at the rear of the property for a freestanding addition, but there is a utility easement in that location.
Citizens voicing concerns, question and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Board remarks, concerns, and questions included: None.
Hearing closed.
Motion – Mrs. Fischer moved in Case A-1502 to approve applicant’s request for a variance to decrease the front yard set back from the required sixty feet (60’) to forty feet (40’) to allow for an addition to an existing car wash located in a Business 2 (B-2) zoning district.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Mulligan.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mr. Ciambrone, yes; Mrs. Fischer, yes.
Case A-1502 approved.
CASE A-1503 - Washington Township, 895 Miamsburg-Centerville Road
Request is for a variance in the sign requirements to increase the height of a wall sign from the required fourteen feet (14’) to nineteen feet (19’) on the main building for the Washington Township Recreation Center Complex located in a Business 2 (B-2) zoning district.
Andy Ehrhart , Zoning & GIS Manager, presented the case.
Applicant represented by Linda Madden, 226 Towerview Road. Ms. Madden explained they are asking to raise the height to the top of the “C” which is at nineteen feet (19’) and the remainder of the sign will be at around seventeen feet (17’). Both the Recreation Center and Rec West signs will be consistent. She explained the sign will be visible the months of November through April. The rest of the year it will not be very visible anywhere on the building. The park was designed by Thomas Stoltz and the trees are a very important asset. The property has a unique purpose in the community as it serves as the regional disaster area, conducts Woodland Lights as well as district and regional swim meets. Most people are aware of the location of the Recreation Center. Ms. Madden explained that the Rec West sign will meet the code. The main Recreation Center sign will also identify property once on the site. The existing freestanding sign is becoming less visible. Additions to the building have made it difficult to place signs in the area. The location for the sign is the largest and flattest area of the building.
Mrs. Fischer – Do you have the actual color of the sign?
Ms. Madden – Yes. Ms. Madden presented drawings of the sign to the Board.
Mrs. Mulligan – Who selected the color combinations for the sign?
Ms. Madden – They were chosen by Jackie Curl, Public Information Manager; Recreation Center staff; Gary Huff, Administrator; and Jesse Lightle, Deputy Administrator.
Mrs. Mulligan – The design was not done by a designer?
Ms. Madden – The original design was done by a design artist.
Mr. Horine – Questioned if anyone, including Mr. Huff, gave direction on the size and design. Stated the problem was made worse with the script “C”. Everyone in the community abides by the rules set forth and for the township to disregard the rules themselves without a good reason is something that should not be done. Thinks a sign at 14’ would be just as effective.
Ms. Madden – Explained that she first met with Mr. Ehrhart before meeting with the sign company. With the original sign drawing, she did not realize that the sign was this high. Mr. Huff and Ms. Lightle approved the design with the script “C” because they wanted it. She stated she has been working on this since last December following the directions she had been given.
Mrs. Fischer – Was any direction given on the height of the sign?
Mr. Ehrhart – Stated he had met with Ms. Madden and given copies of the height and size requirements. Stated that the trustees had given approval of the design.
Mr. Horine – Stated that 19’ does not allow the sign to be any more visible than at a lower height. He added that the sign may be less visible at this height than it would be at a lower height due to trees and sight distance.
Mr. Ciambrone – Asked about lowering the sign.
Citizens voicing concerns, question and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Board remarks, concerns, and questions included:
Mr. Ciambrone – Stated that as this case was presented, does not feel it should be approved.
Hearing closed.
Motion – Mrs. Fischer moved in Case A-1503 to approve applicant’s request for a variance to increase the height of a wall sign from the required fourteen feet (14’) to sixteen feet (16’) rather than nineteen feet (19’) on the main building for the Washington Township Recreation Center Complex located in a Business 2 (B-2) zoning district.
Motion seconded by Mr. Horine.
VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mr. Ciambrone, yes; Mrs. Fischer, yes.
Case A-1503 approved with modifications.
Meeting adjourned. A tape recording of this proceeding is on file in the Zoning office.
Richard Ciambrone, Chairman
Washington Township Board of Zoning Appeals