A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held April 8, 2024 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Bryce Jacob (Planning Commissioner), Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, Rich Skowronski, and Jennifer Bedell. Also present were Enrico & Johanna Wintrich, Doug and Marilynn Ross, Martin Lanning, Neil Zipfel, and Brian Saull. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of January 8, 2024 were not read since each member had received a copy. Zipfel moved and Bedell seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 4-0. Skowronski was not yet in attendance at the time of the vote.
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness and Variance by Douglas Ross at 5778 Olentangy Blvd to add an addition at the southeast side of the residence, remove part of the existing patio, and relocate an existing gazebo to a new concrete pad. The variance is being requested because the addition will encroach on the required ten-foot setback by 2 ½ ft in order to minimize the impact on the roots of an existing 180-year-old tree in the yard. The addition is being moved in by 1 ½ ft in order to maintain a walkway and minimize the encroachment on the setback. Ross stated that he is changing the location of the gazebo vs. what is shown in the plans. The plans show the gazebo parallel to the house, but he would like to move it 1 ft in towards the house.

The materials and colors of the addition will match those on the existing house, including vinyl windows. Ross showed examples of the paint colors to those in attendance. The Planning Commissioner stated that he had concerns with lot coverage, which he showed as 42.9%, over the maximum 40% per code. Further examinations of the information available via the County Auditor’s site showed that the actual calculation is below this number and the members of the Commission had no further issues with this. Enrico & Johanna Wintrich, the owners of the neighboring property at 5766 Olentangy Blvd, expressed their support for the plan and stated that they had no issues. Zipfel moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness and variance for the addition and relocation as submitted and Bedell 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. A street bond will be required for this project.

  1. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Jennifer Zipfel at 5925 Olentangy Blvd to add an addition at the rear of the house. The colors and materials on this addition will match those on the rest of the house, with wood siding and wood-clad windows. The windows will not contain grids. The addition will have a shingled roof and cedar-wrapped columns. The roof on the entire house will be replaced as part of this project. The railings on the porch will be aluminum or wood. There are no lot coverage issues as this will be at 20.8% after the addition.

Skowronski moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the addition as submitted and the Planning Commissioner seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: 0; Abstain: 1, Zipfel. The motion carried 4-0-1. A street bond will be required for this project.

Skowronski moved and Bedell seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (5-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk