A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held July 8, 2019 at 258 Frontenac Pl.  Members present were Bryce Jacob (Planning Commissioner), Sheila Bagley, and Robert Davis. Also present were Diane & Michael Slater, Marcia Sidenstick, and John Saving. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of June 24, 2019 were not read since each member had received a copy. Davis moved and Bagley seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bagley, Davis, and Jacob; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 3-0.
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by John and Emily Saving at 5800 Olentangy Blvd to extend the existing privacy fence to cover the patio in the backyard. This will add about 22 ft of fencing. The Planning Commissioner inquired as to whether the new fencing would be within the property lines of the house and Saving replied that he was not sure of this. The new fencing will not be visible from the street and will match the color, height, and materials as the rest of the fence.

Davis moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for this project as shown in the plans with the provision that the proposed fence is within the property line and Bagley seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bagley, Davis, and Jacob; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 3-0.

  1. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Diane Slater at 314 Riverglen Dr to add a fence at the sides and rear of the house to keep deer out of the yard. The fence will be made of dog eared cedar slats and will be 4 ft tall on the sides and 6 ft in the back to align with neighboring homes. The fence will be about a foot inside the property line. Bagley commented that this fence may not work to deter deer from entering the yard.

Marcia Sidenstick, who lives next door to the property, commented that she had lived in the house for 45 years and there had never been a fence on the property and that this fence would decrease the property value of the houses. The Planning Commissioner stated that there was no record of the addition of fences decreasing property values in the area. He stated that he was aware that there is an issue with the deer population in the area, but that it is not the responsibility of the Planning Commission to deal with this, rather to ensure that the fence would meet the codes of the Village, which it would. The Planning Commissioner asked if it would work to add a fence with more space between the slats, and Diane Slater stated that she was also hoping the fence would keep out rabbits, who could get through these spaces.

Davis asked whether a neighbor had the right to appeal a Planning Commission decision to Village Council, as do homeowners. The Planning Commissioner stated that they could appeal this, but they would not be appealing the decision, rather that the proper process was followed in making the decision. Davis asked whether a variance would be needed to approve the 6 foot fence in the back. The Planning Commissioner answered that it would not, as there is a precedent for 6 foot fences along this back lot line.

Davis moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for this project as shown in the plans and Bagley seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bagley, Davis, and Jacob; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 3-0.

Bagley moved and Davis seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously

(3-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.

 

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk