WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSIONMINUTES
August 16, 2005
The Washington Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on August 16, 2005 in the Meeting Room of Washington Township Government Center. Members of the Commission present were Mr. Rogers, Mr. Drain, Mrs. Winwood, and Mr. Anderson. Mrs. Zobrist was excused.
Call to order at 7:00 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mrs. Winwood thanked the Zoning Commission for their condolences on the passing of her mother, Phyllis Zimmerman Caplon Spring.
Mr. Drain introduced Greg DeLong who is starting August 22, 2005 as the township senior planner.
Mr. Drain discussed and passed out information he received from Jefferson Township near Columbus.
All in attendance were duly sworn in.
CASE Z-632B – Country Corner Estates, LLC
Request is for approval of revised side yard setbacks for property located in a Planned Development Residential (PD-R) zoning district. This property is located at the northwest corner of Clyo Road and Spring Valley Pike.
Tom Toberen , Deputy Administrator, presented the case.
Applicant represented by Wilbur Jackson, developer, 1623 E. Spring Valley Pike, and Ed Koepfer and Mark Burgess of Beazer Homes, 9961 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.
Mr. Drain – Stated that the township has tried to maintain 15’ side yard setbacks or allowing 13.5’ side yard setbacks with the dedication of open space. Feels that rather than going with a smaller setback, they can remove one lot and accomplish the same effect. Asked if they would be willing to consider removing one lot?
Mr. Koepfer – Stated they would have to look at the price point for the lots if one is removed.
Mrs. Winwood – Noted that the brochures showed side entry garages. Mrs. Winwood questioned if they always build side entry garages?
Mr. Koepfer - They will be able to build side entry garages on the wider lots.
Mr. Rogers – Questioned the date on the proposed site plan which was 2002.
Mr. Jackson – The 2002 plan was revised for tonight’s meeting and they didn’t change the date on the plan.
Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:
Mrs. Winwood – What type of architecture was proposed in the original approval?
Mr. Jackson – Provided color renderings that were presented in the original zoning case.
Mr. Drain – Stated that he has a problem with the smaller setbacks and feels it would be better to remove one lot.
Mr. Rogers – Does not have a problem with the request and feels the lots are large enough.
Mr. Anderson – Believes in more space between houses and would be opposed to the change in setbacks.
Mrs. Winwood – Feels the original product that was presented is a better plan.
MOTION – Mr. Anderson moved in Case Z-632B to deny applicant’s request for approval of revised side yard setbacks for property located in a Planned Development Residential (PD-R) zoning district.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Winwood.
VOTE - Mr. Rogers, no; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes.
Case Z-632B denied.
CASE Z-652C – Washington Development, LLC ( Paragon Place)
Request is for approval of additional building elevations for property located in a Planned Development Multi-Family (PD-RM) zoning district. This property is located on the east side of Paragon Road.
Tom Toberen , Deputy Administrator, presented the case.
Applicant represented by Brent Fraley, 6372 Trenton-Franklin Parkway, Middletown, Ohio.
Mrs. Winwood – What is the difference in price between the tri-level and the slab and how much additional floor space?
Mr. Fraley – There is a $25,000 difference in price and approximately 1,000 square feet difference in size.
Mr. Drain – Questioned the letter the Zoning Commission received from a resident asking about moving the street trees to between the curb and sidewalk.
Mr. Fraley – Stated that the letter has no bearing on tonight’s case.
Mr. Toberen – Indicated that the township is preparing a response to the letter.
Mr. Anderson – Asked if there will be tri-levels in the single family portion of the development.
Mr. Fraley – The same elevations are available in the single family portion.
Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:
Mr. Rogers – Does not have a problem with the tri-levels.
Mr. Drain – Feels the new elevations are an enhancement to the project; however, he is disappointed the trees were removed during the construction.
Mrs. Winwood – Does not have a problem with the tri-level or the roof over the porch.
Mr. Anderson – Does not have a problem with the additional building elevations but feels the landscaping should be addressed.
MOTION – Mrs. Winwood moved in Case 652C to approve applicant’s request for approval of additional building elevations for property located in a Planned Development Multi-Family (PD-RM) zoning district, subject to: 1) the landscape plan to be submitted to staff for approval; 2) the tri-level elevations and rear porch roof acceptable as a standard for the whole development; and 3) staff comments.
Motion seconded by Mr. Rogers.
VOTE - Mr. Rogers, yes; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes.
Case Z-652C approved with modifications.
CASE Z-663B – Riverain Ltd. Partnership & Yankee Center Ltd. (Traditions at Yankee)
Request is for a change in the approved plan for a residential development containing 178 units on approximately 63.18 acres in a Planned Development Transition (PD-T) zoning district. This property is located on the west side of Yankee Street south of Austin Pike.
Tom Toberen , Deputy Administrator, presented the case.
Applicant represented by Jeff Hyman, Developer, Burnside Construction, 2400 Wisconsin Avenue, Downers Grove, Illinois, and Chris Schaeffer, engineer for the project, 1253 Lyons Road.
Mr. Drain – Asked about the staff comments concerning signage and variances.
Mr. Toberen – Indicated that staff has discussed this and feels that the Zoning Commission has the ability to approve the sign package. If the Zoning Commission feels uncomfortable with some of the signage presented, they still have the option of sending it to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance.
Mr. Anderson – Asked how they are going to build the road through the wetlands area.
Mr. Schaeffer – They are working with a wetlands consultant in the Cincinnati area on how to handle the wetlands.
Mrs. Winwood – Does the setback relationships remain the same?
Mr. Hyman – Yes.
Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included:
Ron Cash, 12967 Newburg Court – Stated that the single family houses look closer together than the houses in Yankee Terrace. He is also concerned with what will happen with the wooded area to the south.
Sue Love, 10605 Falls Creek Lane – Thinks the plan is acceptable and would like to see more development like this occur to the north towards Austin Pike.
Public hearing closed.
Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:
Mr. Anderson – Likes that they are saving the natural environment and would like to see larger trees planted.
Mrs. Winwood – Agrees with Mr. Anderson’s comments and feels the signage package is acceptable.
Mr. Rogers – Thinks the signs look good and would agree with Mrs. Winwood.
MOTION – Mr. Rogers moved in Case Z-663B to approve applicant’s request for a change in the approved plan for a residential development containing 178 units on approximately 63.18 acres in a Planned Development Transition (PD-T) zoning district, subject to: 1) staff comments, including the landscaping review as submitted with staff comments; 2) entry monument signs at 33.5 square feet; and 3) three (3) secondary entrance columns, two (2) as shown on the drawing and one (1) additional entrance column at Newburg Court entrance.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Winwood.
VOTE - Mr. Rogers, yes; Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes.
Case Z-663B approved with modifications.
Meeting adjourned. A tape recording of this proceeding is on file in the Zoning Office.
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Harry Drain, Chairman
Washington Township Zoning Commission
ZC\Minutes\August 16, 2005