WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES

July 9, 2007

The Washington Township Board of Zoning Appeals met in regular session on July 9, 2007 in the Meeting Room of Washington Township Government Center. Members of the Board present were Mr. Horine, Mrs. Mulligan, Mr. Ciambrone, Mrs. Fischer and Mrs. Gastineau (as alternate).

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. Mulligan moved the minutes of March 26, 2007 be approved as submitted.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Gastineau.

VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mr. Ciambrone, abstain; Mrs. Fischer, abstain; Mrs. Gastineau, yes.

MOTION – Mr. Ciambrone moved the minutes of June 25, 2007 be approved as submitted.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Fischer.

VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, abstain; Mr. Ciambrone, yes; Mrs. Fischer, yes; Mrs. Gastineau, yes.

Case A-1505 – CESI, 8277 Yankee Street (Sleep Inn)

Request is for a variance to increase the overall sign height from the required fourteen feet (14’) to a height of twenty feet (20’) for property located in a Planned Development Business 3 (PD-B3) zoning district.

Andy Ehrhart , Zoning & GIS Manager, presented the case.

Applicant represented by Josh Baltes, 8277 Yankee Street.

Mr. Horine – Questioned if there were any other variances for hotels.

Mrs. Gastineau – Questioned how the size is compared to the other sign.

Mr. Baltes – Most patrons are out of town guests. He presented where Ohio Department of Transportation has placed directional signs. Mr. Baltes stated the only effective signs are located on the building and the freestanding sign. This is just trying to make the site more visible.

Mr. Ciambrone – Asked applicant if they are willing to consider placing the sign at less than twenty feet (20’)?

Mr. Baltes – Stated they would prefer the twenty feet (20’) but would be agreeable to something slightly less than twenty feet (20’).

Mrs. Mulligan – What percentage of patrons have trouble finding the establishment?

Mr. Baltes – About 20%.

Mrs. Gastineau – Why is the name of the hotel changing?

Mr. Baltes – They have completed renovations and this market allows for a higher daily rate.

Mrs. Gastineau – Suggested centering the sign.

Mrs. Mulligan – Questioned if they get a lot of repeat business.

Mr. Baltes – Quite a bit.

Citizens voicing concerns, question and comments included: None.

Board remarks, concerns, and questions included:

Mr. Ciambrone – Feels more comfortable with the sign at 17’.

Mrs. Fischer – Feels there is an issue with the topography.

Mr. Ciambrone – Would like to propose the case be amended to 17’.

Mr. Baltes – Has no objection but would like to request 17’6”.

Mr. Ciambrone – Feels that 17’ would be about all the Board feels comfortable with.

Hearing closed.

Motion - Mr. Horine moved in Case A-1505 to approve applicant’s request for a variance in the overall sign height from the required fourteen feet (14’) to height of seventeen feet (17’) for property located in a Planned Development Business 3 (PD-B3) zoning district. Mr. Horine added that there are topography issues and the applicant has agreed to reduce the request to seventeen feet (17’).

Motion seconded by Mrs. Fischer.

VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mr. Ciambrone, yes; Mrs. Fischer, yes; Mrs. Gastineau, yes.

Case A-1505 approved with modification.

Case A-1506 – Centerville Community Church, 10688 Dayton-Lebanon Pike

Request is for conditional use approval for alterations and expansion of a church located in an Agricultural (A) zoning district.

Andy Ehrhart , Zoning & GIS Manager, presented the case.

Applicant represented by Gary Fridenmaker, 1229 Peachcreek Road. Mr. Fridenmaker stated that over the past several years, they have been planning for a very large expansion. Future development plans were reviewed. There is a total of 73,500 square feet of construction. Mr. Fridenmaker indicated they started with the master plan and worked into it. This plan ties into the existing sanctuary and provides other services such as restrooms and kitchen facilities. He stated they are redesigning the site to get proper retention and traffic flow. They have worked with the neighbors to the south of the property for connectivity and have a potential light.

Mr. Horine – Addressed the parking and stated the Zoning Resolution parking should be observed as a minimum.

Mrs. Fischer – Definitely agrees that parking is an issue.

Charles Hockett, 396 Nutt Road – Stated the siding was placed along the north side and was placed for future expansion. He stated they would continue the same concept.

Citizens voicing concerns, question and comments included: None.

Board remarks, concerns, and questions included:

Mr. Horine – Stated he is not impressed with the siding but it is pretty well hidden.

Hearing closed.

Motion - Mrs. Fischer moved in Case A-1506 to approve applicant’s request for conditional use approval for alterations and expansion of a church as submitted located in an Agricultural (A) zoning district.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Gastineau.

VOTE - Mr. Horine, yes; Mrs. Mulligan, yes; Mr. Ciambrone, yes; Mrs. Fischer, yes; Mrs. Gastineau, yes.

Case A-1506 approved.

Meeting adjourned. A tape recording of this proceeding is on file in the Zoning office.

Richard Ciambrone, Chairman

Washington Township Board of Zoning Appeals