A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held December 9, 2024 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Bryce Jacob (Planning Commissioner), Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, Rich Skowronski, and Jennifer Zipfel. Also present were Council member Emily Saving, Kent Shimeall, and Stephen Wisler. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
- The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of November 11, 2024 were not read since each member had received a copy. Skowronski moved and Collini seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 5-0.
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Stephen Wisler at 248 Melbourne Pl to expand the size of the garage, add an addition that connects the house to the garage, replace the siding on the house, and rework the driveway and patio. The new windows on the addition will be Pella windows that match those currently existing on the house, the garage door will have a dark brown frame, and there will be black cylinder lights near the doors on the house. The project will maintain the existing back entrance to the house.
The Planning Commissioner inquired as to why there are no windows on the west side of the addition. Wisler responded that the wall would be used for storage and that he did not want the solar gain to the interior that would come with the addition of the windows. Zipfel stated that she felt that adding windows would increase the aesthetics of the house and the Planning Commissioner stated that it was the feeling of the Commission that windows should be added and that there are techniques that could be used that would minimize the light allowed into the house with these.
Zipfel stated that she would like to see an elevation that details how the existing house will tie into the addition. She also stated that she would like to see a window and hip added to the front elevation that would help visually break up the siding from the roof area, stating that a hip should also be added at the rear to help with these aesthetics as well. Bedell stated that the current driveway is asphalt and asked if the addition of gravel to the driveway was to help the house stay under the 40% lot coverage requirement and Wisler confirmed that this is the case.
The Planning Commissioner stated that the new patio as shown will encroach on the setback in the yard and that this will require a variance. The Clerk-Treasurer confirmed that this would need to be a separate application process so that neighbors can be informed and express opinions if desired. The Planning Commissioner asked Wisler what the desired timeline for construction is and Wisler responded that he would like to start construction in fall 2025. Collini stated that he would like to see 3D renderings of the plans if possible as well.
Skowronski moved to table the Certificate of Appropriateness and variance for the addition pending the submittal of new incorporating the recommended changes and including new elevations. A variance application will be required for the patio as well. Zipfel seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: 0; Abstain: None. The motion carried 5-0.
- Riverlea Council member Emily Saving joined the Commission to discuss the Village’s fence ordinances. The Planning Commission requested that the Village Council look into these ordinances after the recent additions of some fences over four feet in height that did not require variances due to the written approval of neighbors, as allowed within the code. Zipfel stated that she had taken pictures of several tall fences throughout the Village and felt that it may help to have guidelines on certain types of fences that are permitted and how wood fences are to be maintained. The Planning Commissioner said that he enjoys that there are several different varieties of house styles throughout the Village, but that it may help to have some standardization of the fences.
Resident Kent Shimeall stated that he feels that the current ordinances are not clear as to what is and is not allowed for fences and that he would like this to be stated more clearly. Collini stated that if Council were to tighten the ordinances around the permitted fences, he would have the following questions:
- What would the requirements be for a six-foot fence?
- Would it require the approval of neighbors?
- Would it require the approval of the Planning Commission?
The Planning Commissioner asked if the rules should require that the part of a fence above 48 inches in height be constructed of a more open material to allow more visibility. He also stated that he felt that requiring neighbor approval of the aesthetic of a fence addition would be a dangerous step. Council member Saving asked if the approval of the Planning Commission should come before the approval of neighbors in the process.
The Planning Commissioner proposed that all members review the Village’s fence code and bring any recommendations to the January meeting, which will be held regardless of whether there are any applications from residents.
Zipfel moved and Collini seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (5-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner
Josh Mehling, Clerk