A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held October 14, 2024 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Chris Bedell, Paul Collini, Rich Skowronski, and Jennifer Zipfel. Skowronski led the meeting in the absence of the Planning Commissioner. Also present were Jeff & Lori Pisching, Melissa Kentner, Jim Gimeson, Paul Lenz, and Brian Davis. Skowronski called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of September 9, 2024 were not read since each member had received a copy. Bedell 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: 3, Bedell Collini, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 3-0. Zipfel was not yet in attendance at the time of the vote.
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Melissa Kentner at 5859 Olentangy Blvd to demolish the current property and replace it with a 2800 sq ft Premier ranch home with a basement. The new home will be basically the same size and dimensions as the current home but will be shifted to the south and placed along the ten-foot setback at the side of the property to allow easy access to the rear of the house along the north side. Gimeson stated that the current property is dated, and it makes more sense to build a new house than to renovate. The rear of the house will feature a large screened-in porch. The roof will be flat gray dimensional shingles. The driveway is to be expanded from one lane to two lanes wide. Zipfel inquired about the plans for a curb cut on the driveway and Gimeson replied that they will follow the Village code and pour the new apron for this.

Gimeson stated that they would like to start demolition on the current property by Thanksgiving and construction on the new house by early 2025. Zipfel noted that the egress window on the north side of the house is encroaching on the setback and Gimeson said that they will move this to the rear of the house. Collini noted that the plans include lot coverage calculations and that there are no issues with this.

Skowronski stated that the list of materials was not submitted with the application. Gimeson replied that the color of the paint would depend on the look of the stone that is selected, and they will not be able to do this until later in the process. He noted that the house color shown in the rendering is accurate to the plans they have for the paint color and that they can come back to the Planning Commission with these choices if the plans change. Skowronski stated that the Planning Commissioner had similar questions on the colors and materials for the front door, garage door, chimney, and posts and Gimeson replied that these are all planned to closely match the colors shown in the rendering.

Lori Pisching, owner of the neighboring property, stated that the plans look lovely and that she had a question on the plans for the current fence and hedgerow between the properties as if they are removed, they cannot be replaced from the garage to the road based on the current Village code. Zipfel recommended that she contact the Planning Commissioner and consult the code.

Zipfel moved to approve the plans as shown with the exception that the egress window on the north side of the house be moved to the rear of the house and that the builders follow proper Village code. Materials and colors are to be submitted to the Planning Commission once selected. Collini seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: 0; Abstain: 0. The motion carried 4-0. A STREET BOND WILL BE REQUIRED.

 

Collini moved and Bedell seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (4-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk