A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held November 11, 2024 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Bryce Jacob (Planning Commissioner), Chris Bedell, and Jennifer Zipfel. Also present were Julia Handelman, Daniel Ahlering, Judd and Erin Potts, and Doug & Virginia Ruef. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of October 14, 2024 were not read since each member had received a copy. Jacob moved and Zipfel seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bedell Jacob, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 3-0.
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Julia Handleman at 5815 Carrington Ct to replace the existing chain link fence around the rear of the property with a five-foot cedar fence. The fence will extend from the garage and construction is planned to be complete before the holidays. On installation, the fence will not be stained but there is the possibility that the homeowners will stain it in the spring. The applicants submitted signed letters of approval on this project from the neighbors. Zipfel moved to approve the plans as shown and Jacob seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bedell, Jacob, and Zipfel; Nay: 0; Abstain: 0. The motion carried 3-0.
  3. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Emily Ahlering at 5830 Pioneers Ct to add a five-foot cedar fence around the rear of the property. This will be the same project as the above project at 5815 Carrington and will be constructed of the same materials. The applicants also submitted signed letters of approval from neighbors on the project. Zipfel moved to approve the plans as shown and Bedell seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bedell, Jacob, and Zipfel; Nay: 0; Abstain: 0. The motion carried 3-0.
  4. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Judd Potts at 291 Melbourne Pl to add a carport above the existing driveway. This structure will resemble a gazebo and will be freestanding from the house, with a walkway in between the two. The homeowners have placed footers among the gravel next to the driveway to be the base for the 6×6 cedar posts of the structure. Zipfel noted that footers would be required for all posts and that the Franklin County Building Office may require this before issuing a permit. The roof of the structure will be black metal, similar to that of the house and there will be a one-foot pitch from the front to the back. The structure is not located near the lot line of the property. The Planning Commissioner asked if there are plans to replace the gravel next to the driveway with concrete and the homeowner replied that the plans are to let the gravel settle over the winter and then revisit the issue, with the possibility that they will install pavers to replace the gravel. Jacob moved to approve the plans as shown and Zipfel seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bedell, Jacob, and Zipfel; Nay: 0; Abstain: 0. The motion carried 3-0.
  5. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness and Variance by Virginia Ruef at 5811 Pioneers Ct to add an addition along the southwest side of the house on the spot of the existing patio and build a new patio to replace this. The variance is being requested due to the fact that the addition is planned to be within ten feet of the lot line. The addition will be in line with the current line of the house, which is within this setback, and will not extend any further. The addition will not extend any further to the west than the neighboring houses.

The materials on the addition will be the same materials and colors as the rest of the house. The patio will be stamped concrete in a Tuscany pattern in a pebble color. The neighbors on either side of the house have expressed their approval for the project. The Planning Commissioner noted that the Planning Commission had previously approved a similar addition on this house by a prior owner 2 years ago, though the addition was never built. This addition also extended into the ten-foot setback due to the house placement.

Bedell moved to approve the plans as shown and Jacob seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bedell, Jacob, and Zipfel; Nay: 0; Abstain: 0. The motion carried 3-0.

 

Jacob moved and Zipfel seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (3-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk