A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held November 8, 2021 at Thomas Worthington High School. Members present were Bryce Jacob (Planning Commissioner), Sheila Bagley, Janet Brown, Paul Collini, and Rich Skowronski. Also present were Stephen Wisler, Carolyn Guercio-Wisler, Kyle Ruha, Emily Andrews, Robert Mintz, Holly Holtzman, Brian Taylor, Jessie Garner of Nicholson Builders, and Sean Kocheran of RAS Builders. Joshua C. Mehling served as Clerk. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
- The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of October 11, 2021 were not read since each member had received a copy. Collini moved and Skowronski seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Brown, Collini, Jacob and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: 1, Bagley. The motion carried 4-0-1.
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Kyle Ruha at 256 Melbourne Pl to replace an existing chain link fence with 6 ft cedar fencing. The design and materials of the fence would be consistent with those used at the neighboring address of 248 Melbourne. The Planning Commissioner reminded the Commission that the Village ordinances state that fences are not to exceed 4 ft in height unless surrounding a pool. The section at the rear of the property, along the north end of the yard, could remain at 6 ft, but a variance would be needed for a 6 ff fence along the west side of the property. The section of fence at the east side of the property was approved in an application by Stephen Wisler in April 2021. The Planning Commissioner asked the applicant if it would be acceptable to construct a 4 ft fence along the west side of the property and the applicant was in agreement with this.
Skowronski moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the project as shown in the plans with the stipulation that the section along the w47est side of the yard would be no taller than 4 ft and Brown seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bagley, Brown, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 5-0.
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Stephen Wisler at 248 Melbourne Pl to install cedar fencing along the north and east sides of the rear yard of the property. As noted above, the construction of a fence along the west side of the property was approved in April 2021. The fencing along the north side of the property will be 6 ft tall and the fencing along the east side will be 4 ft tall. There will also be three gates installed as part of this project: a double gate in the 4 ft fence at the garage, a single gate at the northwest corner, and a single gate next to the house.
Collini moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the project as shown in the plans and Bagley seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bagley, Brown, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 5-0.
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Brian Taylor and Holly Holtzen to remove two windows and a patio door on a previous addition at 5731 Olentangy Blvd. The kitchen window will be infilled and covered with faux shutters. The other window will be replaced with a casement window. A patio door will be removed and replaced with a casement window as well. All of the trim and Windows will match those existing on the house.
Skowronski moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the project as shown in the plans and Brown seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bagley, Brown, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 5-0.
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Emily Andrews to demolish the current house at 5707 Olentangy Blvd and rebuild a house in a similar style. The applicant explained that the current house has many structural issues and that renovating the property as it currently exists would be too costly and inefficient given the age of the materials. A new house will meet current building and safety codes. The materials to be used on the new house will be stone, shingle, and stucco. The submitted plans details where each material will be located on the house. The colors to be used on the house are as listed below:
- Earth – Shingles
- Beige – Garage door, front door, window/door trim, rear posts, rafters
- Light green – Stucco
- Weatherwood – Roof shingles
The windows will be casement style from Pella. The soffits are to be rough sawn wood. Other details, such as the light fixtures, will be submitted for discussion and approval at a later date.
Bagley inquired as to whether Riverlea had any language in the code regarding demolition and the Planning Commissioner responded that there is not any such language. The Planning Commissioner stated that he had heard concerns from a neighbor about issues that may arise during construction, such as debris in their lawn and access to the property. Kocheran, the Contractor for the project, stated that the work would be done in a minimally invasive way and efforts would be made to keep debris on the construction site and that access to neighboring houses would not be affected. The Planning Commissioner reminded him that there are to be no dumpsters in the street or pulled over the curbs.
Skowronski moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the structure of the house as shown in the plans with the stipulation that the homeowner would approach the Commission in the future to discuss finishes and landscaping for the house. Brown seconded this motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bagley, Brown, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 5-0.
Brown moved and Skowronski seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (5-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner
Josh Mehling, Clerk