July 11, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Meeting Archive

Regular meeting: July 11, 2011

A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held July 11, 2011 at 5830 Falmouth Court. Members present were Michael Jones (Planning Commissioner), Jo Ann Bierman, Bryce E. Jacob, Donald P. McCarthy and Lisa J. Morris. Also present were Mark O’Brien, Jeff Ashmore and Mary Jo Cusack, Mayor. Pamela M. Colwell served as Clerk. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

1. The minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of June 13, 2011 were not read since each member had received a copy. McCarthy moved and Jacob seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; Bierman, Jacob, McCarthy, Morris and Jones: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness Mark O’Brien on behalf of Dianne Hitt at 223 West Southington Avenue to convert the existing garage into living space and to add a two car garage at the rear of the property with a connector to the new living space. The Clerk pointed out that the home owner had not signed the application and that would be required before a COA was approved. O’Brien and Ashmore started the discussion by asking the Commission if they had any questions. The Commissioner asked how they determined the lot coverage since there is a 40% limit for structures, driveways and hardscape. They responded that they calculated the total lot square footage as 8549 and the coverage with the addition was 4,227 sq. ft., so the total lot coverage was 49%. The Commissioner said he used the Franklin County Auditor’s website to calculate the area of the lot to be 9502 sq. ft. and 40% lot coverage would be 3801 sq. ft. He also pointed out that the garage does not meet the 10’ setback from the property line. There was discussion about changing the design to reduce the total lot coverage. One option discussed was to have the new garage directly off of the existing garage and to remove some of the asphalt around the new living space. O’Brien and Ashmore said they will look at other designs and would contact the Planning Commission regarding any questions they may have. Bierman asked if it would be better to have more windows in the new living space and O’Brien said he would look into it. It was noted that there were two different windows indicated in the plans for the same opening. The Commissioner said they needed to be consistent throughout the plans. Morris asked if the large pines at the rear of the property were going to be removed and was told they would be. She said they need to come up with a landscape plan so the Commission will know exactly what is going to be done. She explained that Riverlea is an established community and landscaping is an important part of it. The Commissioner added that they need to put the location of the A/C compressor in their plans too. O’Brien asked if a COA was needed if they proceeded with interior modifications. The Commissioner responded that no COA was necessary for interior work as long as there were no changes to the exterior. Bierman moved and McCarthy seconded the motion to table the application. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; Bierman, Jacob, McCarthy, Morris and Jones: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0.
3. Morris asked the Commission if they saw the discarded toilet, bathtub and other construction materials along the front side of the property at 5793 Carrington Court. It is in violation of Village ordinances and a bad reflection of our community. The Commissioner said he will contact the Marshal so she can contact the property owners

The Commission took no additional action. Jacob moved and McCarthy seconded a motion to adjourn. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea, 5; Bierman, Jacob, McCarthy, Morris and Jones: Nay, None. The Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.