A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held November 12, 2018 at the Evening Street Elementary School.  Members present were Bryce Jacob (Planning Commissioner), Janet Brown, Robert Davis, and Paul Unrue. Also present were Dean and Kathryn Melchi and Sheila Bagley. Joshua C. Mehling served as Clerk.  The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of November 12, 2018 were not read since each member had received a copy. Davis moved and Unrue seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Brown, Davis, Jacob, and Unrue; Nay: None; Abstain: 0. The motion carried 4-0.
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Dean & Kathryn Melchi at 5809 Olentangy Blvd to install a semicircular permeable walkway in the front of the house. The walkway comes off of the driveway and ends at the curb in front of the house. The walkway had been completed before the application was submitted to the Village.

    Ms. Melchi stated that they did not submit an application to the Village because they did not see any language in the Village code requiring a COA for the addition of a permeable walkway. Ms. Melchi stated that the walkway was added because with the single lane driveway and lack of street lighting, it was difficult for guests to access the house. She stated that the walkway will give them access from the driveway or the street. They selected the permeable gravel material in order to be environmentally conscious.

    Brown stated her concern that future owners of that house may be under the impression that this walkway is a driveway due to the seven foot width. Ms. Melchi mentioned that this is much narrower than a driveway width, which is typically 12 feet. She also mentioned that she had spoken to neighbors, who have expressed that they are in favor of the addition of the walkway.

    Sheila Bagley, a neighbor, stated that she felt that the walkway was inappropriate for the character of Olentangy Blvd and the neighboring houses, given the large lawns. She also expressed concerns that it would set precedent for the future additions of circular walkways & driveways. She stated that she has seen cars parked on the walkway. Ms. Melchi refuted this statement, stating that she has driven on it to compact the gravel as instructed by the Contractor, and there has been no additional traffic on it. The Planning Commissioner reiterated that the application submitted was for a walkway and that any use as a driveway would be in violation of this.

    Unrue moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for this walkway with the stipulation that it is to be used as a walkway and not a driveway and Davis seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Brown, Davis, Jacob, and Unrue; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 4-0.
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    Brown moved and Davis seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (4-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner                          Josh Mehling, Clerk