A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held February 10, 2025 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, Rich Skowronski, and Jennifer Zipfel. Skowronski served as acting Planning Commissioner. Also present were resident Stephen Wisler and Village Solicitor Leah Reibel. The Acting Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of January 13, 2025 were not read since each member had received a copy. Zipfel 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: 4, Bedell, Collini, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 4-0.
  2. Revisions to the 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 house siding, and rework the driveway and patio. Wisler submitted revised plans as requested by the committee that included an additional front elevation and included windows in the planned addition. Wisler stated that the previous plans did not include windows because he had thought that the addition would be higher.

Zipfel stated that she felt that the new addition was still too high for the size of the house and surrounding houses, given that the neighboring houses in the row are one-story ranches. This will be the tallest garage among those on the north side of Melbourne and south of Beverly in Riverlea. Wisler stated that the addition of the half-story for the garage was for additional storage and that there are two story houses across the street from the property. Zipfel stated that she approved of everything in the plans with the exception of the additional half story, stating that she felt that the purpose of the Planning Commission is to maintain a standard appearance throughout the Village. Wisler pointed out that the addition would sit 120 feet from the street and behind the house and would not be visible from the street other than the roof line.

The plans also include the addition of a patio that will require a variance request in the future, as the patio sits too close to the required setback The lot coverage, including the patio, is at 40%, which is within the required limit. Zipfel moved to approve the revised plans as submitted with the exception of the patio addition and Bedell seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: None; Nay: 4, Bedell, Collini, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Abstain: None. The motion failed to pass (0-4).

Zipfel reminded Wisler that he had the right to appeal the decision to Village Council if he felt that the decision of the  Planning Commission was out of line with its role. Wisler asked if the Commission felt that if the plans lowered the height of the addition by 2 feet that it would still be rejected. The sense of the Commission was that they would accept this. Wisler also asked if the Commission felt that a variance would be approved for the patio as shown and the sense of the Commission was that they could not determine this without an application. Zipfel stated that in order for the plans for the addition to be approved, there should not be a gap between the eaves of the addition roof line and those on the existing house. It is possible that the eaves could tie in and the addition could still have the additional height needed.

  1. The Village Solicitor was in attendance to discuss the potential for changes to the Village’s ordinances around fences. The Planning Commissioner was not in attendance with the summarized list. Zipfel stated that she would get this summarized list and send them to the Solicitor. The Solicitor explained the process of revising an ordinance to the Commission members.

Zipfel moved and Collini seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (4-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk