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REGULAR MEETING OF THE EATON PLANNING

ZONING AND BUILDING BOARD ON DECEMBER 14, 2004

AT 7:30 P.M., IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

 

The Eaton Planning, Zoning and Building Board met in regular session in Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, at 7:30 p.m.

 

The roll was called and the following was found to be:

 

            Present:            Ron Coleman

                                    Tim Lane

                                    Harold Geeting

                                    Tom Jordan

            Absent: Chris Atkins

                                    Steve Deffner

                                    Gary Wagner

 

Also in attendance were City Manager Dave Daily, City Engineer Doug Spitler, Law Director Donnette Fisher and Engineer Tec. Joe Ferriell.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

Dave Daily approached the Board. 

 

Daily:  Thank you Mr. Chairman.  I just wanted to report to you on what is happening within the City, we are having some administrative staff changes.  Much to my displeasure, we are losing Doug Spitler.  He has accepted a position in Centerville, Ohio and I say that again, much to my pleasure.  Doug came to me and told me that he was seeking that position and I told him I would be his best fan.  Having said that, I think we all know it is going to be quite a loss with Doug.  Tom, you remember four years ago when we made a change on how we handled the Planning Board, bring more staff in with their specialties and we have added the Law Director and I think it has made significant improvement in what these Boards do.  I have to credit Mr. Spitler for advancing the City during that time period.  He was there at the beginning when we made those changes and they were significant, thank you Doug.  We will always remember what you have done for us. 

 

Back in August we hired Mr. Ferriell as the Engineering Tec. for the City.  Joe has a long history, in the private sector, of success.  Joe comes to us with two Associate Degrees, one in Architectural Engineering and a Bachelor Degree in Business from Miami University.  When I discussed filling the position with City Council and with Mr. Spitler and we are going to give Joe a shot at this.  He has a lot to learn but he tells me he is up for the task.  This is his first night here and while we are losing a very good employee, I think we are adding a good one here and I think Joe will move forward. As a City Manager I want to give Joe all the opportunities and chances to succeed in his position.  I know he is going to work a lot of extra hours in doing that.  I know the Boards will

 

support Joe.  That is an update as to where we are.  Doug will leave here on the 31st and

start his new position on Monday the 3rd of January. Joe will become the City Engineer and we will assess how he progresses over the next six months, and the position of Service Director, I will be assuming that position, so we won’t have that burden on Joe and he will be able to concentrate on engineering functions, which as you are aware we have a lot of those issues in the City right now.  Thank You.

 

Jordan:  Doug, on behalf of myself and I am sure this whole Board, I appreciate what you have done for this Board and the City.  You have brought us a long ways forward. 

 

Donnette you are not allowed to leave and Joe, best of luck.

 

MINUTES:

The minutes of the November 9, 2004 meeting were presented to the Board for approval.                    A motion was made by Ron Coleman and seconded by Tim Lane to accept the minutes as written.  The motion passed as follows:

            Ayes:                Coleman, Lane, Geeting, Wagner, Jordan (5)

            Nays:               None

 

SWEARING IN:

All members of the audience anticipating to testify before the Board were asked to stand and be sworn in.  The Secretary administered the oath or affirmation to the audience.

 

Z-04-08 – Public Hearing – Zoning Amendment – Terry Mantle – 111 W. High St.:

 

Jordan:  The applicant has applied for a zoning amendment to rezone the property located at 111 W. High Street from ‘C-3’ (Community Commercial) to ‘R-2’ (Central Residential).  The proposed use will be two efficiencies.  Who is here to represent this application tonight?  I will now open the Public Hearing and anyone who would like to come before this Board may step forward and state your name.

 

Mantle: I am Terry Mantle and I own 111 W High Street and would like to change the zoning from ‘C-3’ to a ‘R-2’, so we can put two efficiencies in that building and we also need a variance for the set-back on this building. 

 

Jordan:  Does the Board have any questions for Mr. Mantle.  Is there anyone else who would like to approach the Board?  If not I will close the Public Hearing and turn it over to the Board and Staff for review.  Joe, what do we have from Staff?

 

Ferriell:  As you stated this is a Public Hearing.  Planning Board reviews and recommends zone changes to Council in accordance with the Comprehensive Development Plan and Chapter 1135.  The requested zoning is ‘R-2’ Central Residential. 

 

The intent of ‘R-2’ is to recognize existence of older residential areas of the City where homes have been built on smaller lots and where the existing housing stock should be encouraged.  The ‘R-2’ allows for existing moderate-density housing and new single-family development.  The minimum lot area should be at least 8,000 sq. ft. for a double-family dwelling and a minimum of 700 sq. ft. floor area.  This tract is located in the “Short North” planning area; with a future land use of Urban Neighborhood, Commercial and Office as a link to downtown and Junction Village.  Recommendations include: Planning area should continue to be used as Urban Neighborhood, Commercial and Office as linked to downtown and Junction Village.  It is noted that this tract is also directly on the border of Urban Residential section.  Also the Property Management Code allows for a clear floor area of not less than 200 sq. ft. for not more than two occupants and not less than 320 sq. ft. for not more than three occupants.  This can be found in Section 404.06 page 62 under Efficiency Units.  This request must meet conditions (A) or (B) through (D) of Chapter 1135.01 for favorable consideration. 

 

Jordan:  Donnette, I have a question for you.  If we make a favorable recommendation to Council to change this to ‘R-2’ and the next thing on the agenda is the variance on the set back requirements, what happens if Council rejects our recommendation?

 

Fisher:  If you approve the variance, you approve it upon condition that Council approves the rezoning. 

 

Jordan:  This is the old Laundromat down behind the Hotel there. 

 

Coleman:  I drove past and looked at that. 

 

Fisher: He talked to Mr. Wehrley about that and Bob indicated there would not be any problem putting two efficiencies in there.  

 

Lane:  There is plenty of parking there.

 

Geeting:  I don’t really see any problems with it considering the zoning in the neighborhood and what we may be thinking about in the future with future growth and changes. 

 

Jordan:  If I remember right the zoning map, that whole block to the west is zoned ‘C-3”.

 

Fisher:  All the way between North Barron and Beech is ‘C-3.’  From High Street all the way down to Wadsworth Street.  There was part of the downtown area that staff was going to recommend that when we redo this map, everything but those businesses and homes that currently front Barron Street be zoned this residential district, we want that to stay residential in that area.  It is already residential to the north of that and when the zoning map is changed it will be residential to the west of there and that property itself might even be changed to residential.  It is depending on what we foresee happening in that area.  

 

Jordan: In working with the rezoning committee, I see that the houses and businesses that face Barron Street are commercial and there is nothing behind there except residential and I would hate to see somebody come in there and put a major business back there.  Personally, I believe there is a manifest error in the zoning code at this time and I think that would be the option that I feel we could take to rezone this property to an ‘R-2.’ 

 

Lane:  Plus, it is a good use of a vacant building.

 

Daily:  He has tried for quite a few months to get a commercial use for this and can’t find anyone.

 

Mantle:  It has been up for rent a month or so for $350.00 per month and I am really surprised since the other two buildings that are there and have people living in them, that someone hasn’t approached me to rent it to live in it, but they haven’t.  It is zoned for business but still you have the couple of houses that are there that are zoned with the commercial rating that people are living in them.  When you try to rent something that cheap, I am really surprised that someone hasn’t approach us to move in there.  I have only had one call on it. 

 

Jordan:  What are the Board’s wishes on this matter?

 

Geeting:  I move that we recommend approval on Z-04-08, Terry Mantle to change from ‘C-3’ Community Commercial to ‘R-2’ Central Residential on the basis of  Chapter 1135.01 (a).  Tim Lane seconded the motion and it passed as follows:

            Ayes:    Coleman, Lane, Geeting, Jordan (4)

            Nays:   None

 

AB-04-19 – Variance – Terry Mantle – 111 W. High St.:

 

Jordan:  The applicant has applied for a variance from the City’s ‘R-2’ setbacks.  Mr. Mantle, we pretty much know why you are requesting the setbacks, because you have an existing building there and you want to use it.  I will leave it up to the Board unless you wish to address this? 

 

Mantle:  The way I understand it is that the setbacks, even for a commercial building, don’t meet that. 

 

Jordan:  Joe, would you like to give staff review?

 

Ferriell: Planning Board recommends to the Appeals Board on Variances in Chapter 1133.07 and the Comprehensive Development Plan.  This applicant is requesting a reduction in the setbacks.  The front setback for ‘R-2 is 25 ft. and the current setback is 7 inches, requested variance of 24 ft. 5 in. on the North side.  The side setbacks for ‘R-2’ is 10 ft. one side and 25 ft. total and the current setback is 4 feet and he requested a variance of 6 feet and that is on the east side.  The set back on the west side is within the requirement at 29 feet.  The rear setback for ‘R-2’ is 40 feet and the current setback is 2 ft. 4 in. leaving the requested variance of 37 ft. 4 in. on the south.  The minimum lot size required is 8000 sq. ft. and the current lot size is approximately 2925 sq. ft. however, the building officials noted lot adjoins alley so therefore 3333 sq. ft. is available under section 1171.08 (d).  The requested variance of 4667 sq. ft. is needed and that is a change from your sheet. 

 

This variance must meet conditions (1) through (6) of Chapter 1133.07 for approval.    The Comp Plan and the ‘Short North” planning area with the future land use of Urban Neighborhood, Commercial and Office. 

 

No special recommendations pertain to this application.

 

Jordan:  Any Board members have any questions? 

 

Geeting:  With the changing and the building already there I don’t see but what we need to go ahead and allow the variance because it does meet all six.

 

Jordan:  I think it is a reasonable request for what we have in the older section of town with the small lots and there is no other option for that building.  It is such a small lot, he just has to do what he can with it.  I don’t think we can deny him the use of the property.  Anyone else have any comments?  If not I will consider a motion and it needs to be conditioned upon approval of the rezoning by Council.

 

Coleman:  I move for favorable approval of case AB-04-19 for a variance of the property and that I see that it meets all of the requirements of 1133.07 and that this be conditioned upon favorable approval of Council to grant the property going from “C- 3 to ‘R-2.’  Harold Getting seconded the motion and it passed as follows.

            Ayes:  Coleman, Lane, Getting, Jordan (4)

            Nays:   None

 

Jordan:  Step one is done and you are free to go if you like.

 

 

AB-04-18 – Variance – Ann M. Napier – 808 East Avenues:

 

Jordan:  The applicant has applied for a variance from the City’s ‘R-1A’ setback requirements and lot size requirements for lot #1978, located at 808 East Avenue.  The applicant wants to build a new house on this vacant lot.  Who will be representing this application tonight?

 

Napier:  I am Ann Napier and I am applying for a variance for 808 East Avenue.  I want to build a new home and I am requesting the 8 ft. setback on the north and a total setback of only 18 ft. not the required 25 ft.

 

Jordan:  Any of the Board members have any questions for her? 

 

Coleman:  Is there a reason you can’t turn the house? 

 

Napier:  Turn the house, you mean sideways?  It wouldn’t be the same as the other houses then.  I am trying to conform to the other houses on the road.  I am trying to make it look correct.  I am just trying to build a nice brick home in the area of the same type of home, I am a widow. 

 

Jordan:  We will let you know if we have any questions.  Joe what is the staffs review on this? 

 

Ferriell:  Planning Board makes recommendations to the Appeals Board on Variances following Chapter 1133.07 and the Comprehensive Development Plan.  The zoning district is ‘R-1A.’  The applicant is requesting a reduction in the setbacks.  The side yard for ‘R-1A’ 10/25.  The applicant is requesting a setback of 8 ft. on the north with a total setback of 18 feet. The variance must meet conditions (1) through (6) of Chapter 1133.07 for approval.  I would like to point out that this lot size is approximately a .51-acre lot, and we have subdivisions that have .25-acre lots and we are building houses on those and are staying within the required setbacks. 

 

The Comprehensive Development Plan for this area is “Stoneybrook” Planning Area with a future land use of Suburban Residential. Recommendations for this area should continue to be Suburban Residential. 

 

Jordan:  I guess that is my main consideration to this matter.  We have ‘R-1A’ all over the City and they are meeting the setback requirements.  I just don’t understand why you can’t meet these setback requirement on that size of a lot, a one half-acre lot? 

 

Napier:  Well the house is wider than the lot allows for, but this is the plan that I really want to build.  I particularly want, and I found this plan that I really like and this house will be the length of the lot and I would have to change plans to go to a smaller home.  I have looked for years, since my husband died, at homes around town and there is just nothing that I really found that I liked.  I found a house plan that I really like now and it is what I truly want to build on this lot and it just happens to be wider than the lot would allow only being 100 feet wide.  I doubt that I could switch to a different house plan and build a smaller home but that is not really what I want to do, this is what I choose to do.  I have two girls that are in college and I need the extra bedroom, they are back and forth and my father stays with me off and on, he is 89.  I do need the extra room.  I think the house pretty much fits with the area.  I think the house is going to be very nice.  I think it is going to improve the area.  I have talked to Mr. Caudill and he is very willing to have the variance as far as his side is concerned.  I have moved a lot for 40 years and I am anxious to build what I would like to build. 

 

Jordan:  What this Board has to face, we have to look at the standards to grant a variance and there are seven of the standards and I am not sure if you have researched those or not. 

 

Napier:  Probably not.  I am all new to this.

 

Fisher:  They are listed on the application. 

Jordan:  This Board is faced with that.  We have to find reasons that you meet all of these requirements so we can grant this variance.  My own opinion is that you cannot meet all of the requirements.  Basically, you can only meet a couple of them and you have to meet all six of them.  That is my opinion and I will leave it up to the Board members to form their own opinion.

 

Napier:  I am confused.  You say that I am not meeting them, as far as?

 

Jordan:  The number one, special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the property, basically no.  You meet the standard requirements for a ‘R-1A’ lot which is 13,000 square feet.  You are way over that but you want build something with setbacks that are not allowed in that kind of zoning district.  Special conditions and circumstances shall not result from the actions of the applicant not self-created.  They are self-created because you are building a bigger house than will fit on that lot, size wise.  That is the two main ones that I see right now that I can’t personally prove that you meet to grant you the variance.  That is only my opinion.

 

Coleman:  That is why I said to turn the house.  Your lot is deep but is not that wide for this house you want to put on it.  If you turn the house. 

 

Napier:  It would look silly.  All the other houses are facing East Avenue.  If I turn it, the lot is not very wide, that is not going to allow me much room. 

 

Coleman:  You would just have a small frontage and a much deeper house.  A lot is a lot.  You can’t change that lot you have to build a house to fit that lot.  You are trying to take a house that is not going to fit that lot and you can’t stretch that lot.  A variance is something that you want to give people when they are living in a place and they want to make some changes and they can’t do it, they are in this house built long ago and they can’t do it.  With a new one, you haven’t started yet.  There are things that you can do that you won’t need the variance.

 

Napier:  The only thing I can do, it couldn’t be turned, and I think it would be ruining the neighborhood to do that.  I don’t think the neighbors would be happy with me. 

 

Coleman:  I don’t necessarily mean the plan that you have.

 

Napier:  I would have to change plans, that is the only thing I could do.  I have looked for a long time.

 

Fisher:  If you look at the setbacks for the ‘R-1B’it is six on one side and fifteen on the other.  Standards will not constitute a change of zoning district.  You have a ‘R-1A’ lot and going by the standards of ‘R-1B.’  Changing the zoning district might be an option. 

 

Jordan:  Was this lot created before when it was in the county and then came into the City?

 

Fisher:  Two separate lots.  When the application was originally submitted it was submitted as two separate lots.  We did get with her and she contacted her attorney and they corrected it on the deed.  There is now a covenant on the deed stating that the two lots may not be sold separately. 

 

Napier:  Like Mr. Ferriell said they are building at Sterling Homes on much smaller lots.

 

Jordan:  But, they meet the setbacks and that is what the problem is. 

 

Fisher:  I think what the Board is trying to say is there are other ways to get there.  Variances are supposed to be granted on very rare exceptions.  There are other ways to get there, switching the house, using a smaller house plan or rezoning the lot.  In ‘R-1B’ your setbacks are fine.  This may not be the best way to do it. 

 

Napier:  Like I said, this was all new to me.

 

Jordan:  If you kept the 7 feet on the one side and the 18 feet on the other side you would meet a ‘R-1B’ classification, which would mean you would have to rezone the property to an ‘R-1B.’ 

 

Fisher:  She could build a house of that size in an ‘R-1B’ lot because those setbacks are 6 on one side and 15 total.  She now has 8 on one side so she is 2 feet over there and 18 total, which is fine.  The lot size is 10,000 sq. feet and she is okay there.  All of the setbacks are smaller.  There is no way you can put this size of home on a ‘R-1A’ lot and meet the setbacks.       

 

Jordan:  I understand that you would like to build your home there and I totally appreciate that but we have a problem. 

 

Napier:  Is what she is saying, is that an option? 

 

Jordan:  That is an option.  She would have to file an application?

 

Fisher:  She would file the application and the deadline is the 15th of the month.  If you get it in tomorrow you would be on January’s agenda and if you can and you get it in by January 15th it will be on Februarys agenda.  From the date you file the application, if approved, it generally takes about three months.  The rezoning goes from Planning Board to Council and they do two readings and then it goes in effect thirty days after that. 

 

Napier:  So it is going to take another three months? 

 

Fisher:  If you come in and fill the application out tomorrow, I think we have most everything that you need for rezoning.  It is just a different application form that you have to fill out. 

 

Jordan:  That is your option.  If you would like to pursue that option we can table this matter.

 

Fisher:  If she wants to go ahead and see.  They just make a recommendation over there.  You better go ahead and make your recommendation and see what Appeals Board does with it.  If Appeals Board denies it she can still apply for the rezoning. 

 

Daily:  She probably wants to do the rezoning.

 

Napier:  Yes.

 

Daily:  Are you going to try and get it in here by tomorrow?  It sounds like we already have 90% of the information. 

 

Fisher:  Everything is already here, all she has to do is come in and fill out the application. 

 

Daily:  If you are going to come in and apply and want to get it on January’s agenda, that is your choice. 

 

Fisher:  They could table it.

 

Daily:  They could table it? 

 

Fisher:  Yes, but I don’t know why.  She can file the application for rezoning tomorrow and still appear at Appeals Board on the 27th.  If the Appeals Board would grant it then all she would have to do is to withdraw her rezoning application and if they don’t then she already would have her rezoning application in. 

 

Jordan:  Are you following all of this?

 

Napier:  Not really.

 

Jordan:  This Board can act on this matter tonight.

 

Fisher:  The reality is, a negative recommendation is probably what is going to happen tonight.  She has the right to take it to the Appeals Board if she wants to.  She can have an application for rezoning sitting while Appeals Board is going.  File an application tomorrow and all you really need to do is to come in and fill out the form. It will go on Planning Boards January agenda.  If you want to see what Appeals Board will do with this, their meeting is on the 27th of this month.  Even if they deny it the rezoning would still be in the works and nothing would be held up. 

 

Napier:  We can do that.

 

Jordan:  I hope you understand where we are at on this?

 

Napier:  I think so. 

 

Jordan:  It is one of those situations where.

 

Napier:  I didn’t know it would be such a big deal.  I didn’t know it was that hard to get a variance.  

 

Jordan:  It is getting tougher and it is going to get tougher in four months. 

 

Fisher:  If you come in tomorrow and fill out the right application.

 

Jordan:  I would encourage you to be tomorrow and fill one out.

 

What are the Board’s wishes on this matter? 

 

Coleman:  I move for an unfavorable recommendation for AB-04-18 in that it doesn’t meet all six of the requirements from Chapter 1133.07.  Harold Geeting seconded the motion and it passed as follows:

            Ayes:  Coleman, Lane, Geeting, Jordan (4)

            Nays:   None

 

AB-04-20 – Conditional Use - Ryan Oyster – Pizza Hut – 1732 N. Barron Street

 

Jordan:  The applicant has applied for a conditional use permit to install a drive-thru carryout window at its new restaurant, located at 1732 N. Barron Street, in the Preble Crossing Development.  This lot is zoned ‘C-1,’ General Commercial.  Who will be representing this application tonight?

 

Oyster:  Good evening, my name is Ryan Oyster and I work for the GPD Group and our client is the Daland Corporation and they are the ones proposing to construct the new Pizza Hut on North Barron Street in Preble Crossing development.  For a little project background, this is going to be the new Pizza Hut in town, actually Pizza Hut Italian Bistro.  It is in Preble Crossing and is north of the north access drive, in that development.  That should give you a little idea as to where it is in relation to the Wal-Mart Development. 

 

Fisher:  The one across the access drive there is Murphy Oil. 

 

Oyster:  Basically, we meet all the requirements for parking and drive-thru stacking, setbacks.  We are here for two items tonight.  The first is what we are talking about now is a 12-hour drive-thru.  This drive-thru is not like a typical fast food drive-thru where you have the ordering back and forth I guess we will handle the variance after this.  If you have any questions? 

 

Jordan:  Thank you.  Joe, your turn. 

 

Ferriell:  The Planning Board makes a recommendation to the Appeals Board on Conditional Use following Chapter 1133.03, the Comprehensive Development Plan and Chapter 1163.

 

The proposed drive-thru retail is a Conditional Use in the ‘C-1’ district.  Additionally, Chapter 1163.03 (b) (9) addresses drive through retail.  For one drive-in station as requested, a queue of seven vehicles is required.  This Conditional Use must also meet the general requirements of Chapter 1163.03 (a) and the specific requirements of 1163.03 (B) (9) (A) – (E).  Per Special requirement 1163.03 (b) (9)(D) the Board needs to request buffer type A or B on the north side.

 

Jordan:  Board members? 

 

Geeting:  Which side of the building is that drive-thru going to be on?

 

Oyster:  The drive-thru is to be on the north side.

 

Jordan:  Your main entrance will be facing the access drive?

 

Oyster:  Yes, the access drive.

 

Geeting:  We have to show 154 feet of space for 7 vehicles, how far back will that take us?

 

Oyster:  Our stacking goes all the way back here.  A buffer separates it. 

 

Jordan:  What type buffer are you proposing?

 

Oyster:  This buffer here is just going to be green space; I think it is a 3-foot lawn.  You are talking about the north side of the property?

 

Jordan:  Yes.

 

Oyster:  We were told because this residential district was not in the City it was in the county that no buffer was going to be required. 

 

Fisher:  Buffer is required.

 

Jordan:  I thought it was.

 

Fisher:  I know we had site plans that showed a fence there, correct?  From the Federal Court Order, the site plan that Council approved, show a fence.

 

Oyster:  We don’t have any problem with putting a fence there.  I had just contacted Mr. Wehrley’s office and was told that the fence wasn’t necessary.  We had seen those plans but through discussion we didn’t think it was going to be necessary but we have no problem with it. 

 

Is that just a 6-foot board-on-board fence?

 

Spitler:  A fence is not addressed in our zoning code as a type of buffer.  We also have a requirement about the 6-foot fence in the front yard?  Can you have the 6-foot fenc all the way out?

 

Fisher:  Not in the front yard.  They would have to stop it back behind the pole. 

 

Spitler:  Pizza Hut has also asked for site plan approval.  Staff has not completed that review and that is why we are a little confused tonight.  We are going to be looking at that in more detail but haven’t got it done yet.  That is not something for Board consideration, since it is in a ‘C-1’ not ‘P-1’ the board doesn’t have to look at it.  We are still considering whether a 6-foot fence is required or if it is too large for the front yard. 

The Board may want to discuss that to.

 

Fisher:  If the board will approve a fence as a buffer, we will be happy.

 

Oyster:  I would be willing to do that.

 

Fisher:  Doug and Joe will probably work out with the site plan exactly what type of fence and height and how far out it can come.

 

Jordan:  What did the Federal Court Order say, just a fence?

 

Fisher:  It shouldn’t specify the height.

 

Coleman:  The only thing about a 6-foot fence, the people coming out of their driveways, that is going to be a hindrance.

 

Fisher:  We have to look at how far out the 6-foot fence would come.  I think the neighbor would like a 25-ft. fence.  Fifth Third, we didn’t have them bring that buffer all the way out because of visibility.  I imaging Doug and Joe will probably do the same thing in site plan review.  They will determine where it should end. You will note on your sheets that (c) (d) and (e) don’t really have any application because those items were already addressed in the Federal Court Order. 

 

Jordan:  Basically, other than that, they meet all the requirements for Conditional Use.  If the buffer is worked out with staff on the site plan I think we will be okay. Any of the other Board members have any comment on this matter?

 

Geeting:  I think everything looks fine. 

 

 

Jordan:  I will entertain a motion.

 

Geeting:  I move that we grant the Conditional Use for AB-04-20 as it meets the general requirements of 1163.03 and the specific requirements that are applicable, with the understanding that the fence will be worked out satisfactorily   Ron Coleman seconded the motion and it passed as follows: 

            Ayes:  Coleman, Lane, Geeting, Jordan (4)

            Nays: None

 

AB-04-21 – Variance – Ryan Oyster – Pizza Hut – 1732 N. Barron Street:

 

Jordan:  The applicant has applied for a variance from the ‘C-1’, “General Commercial District,” sign regulations to be allowed to have two structure type signs (ground sign and wall sign) instead of the allowed one structure type and to be allowed to have a total of 158.8 sq. feet of signage instead of the allowed 150 square feet.  Would you like to explain what you want to do here? 

 

Oyster:  There would be basically, four signs on the building.  In addition we would be requesting a monument sign and that is in your packets.  I spoke with Mr. Wehrley about this and we had not proposed a pylon sign because the City is trying to take that out of their ordinances and are trying to have more manageable type of signs.  In order for us to get the signage that we would like for this building, we dropped our monument sign down to 6 ft. tall and only 23 sq. feet, so we would like a little extra signage on the building to make it more identifiable. 

 

Jordan:  Joe, what are staff’s feelings on this? 

 

Ferriell:  Planning Board makes a recommendation to the Appeals Board on variances following Chapter 1133.07 and following the Comprehensive Development Plan.  The zoning district is ‘C-1.’ 

 

The applicant is requesting an increase in the proposed signage square footage.  It is a variance request of 8.8 sq. ft. plus to allow 2 structural type signs.  The applicant is requesting to be allowed two types, a ground sign and a wall sign.  The maximum signage allowed is 150 sq. ft. and the total signage they are requesting is 158.8 sq. ft.

The monument sign meets the requirements. 

 

This variance must also meet the general requirements of Chapter 1169.06 (a) & (b) (1) (A&B) page 138.  The comp plan is the “North Gateway” Planning Area, with a future land use of Suburban Regional Commercial and Office. 

 

Fisher:  This is one of those situations that have arisen because we didn’t get the new zoning code done when we said we would. If the new zoning code were in effect we would not even be hearing this.  When the new zoning code gets done, it won’t be non-conforming, it would be in line.

 

Jordan:  That was one of the things I was looking at also.  Four months down the road you wouldn’t be here.  I don’t think you are asking for an excessive amount, 8.8 sq. ft., you are bending over to us and putting the monument sign up rather than a pole sign.  Personally I feel we can move forward with this.  It would be a very clean looking area up there. 

 

Oyster:  Let me ask just one more question.  You are trying to get all monument signs in the City from now on, right now and what is the maximum height allowable?   

 

Fisher:  It would be 8 ft.

 

Oyster:  We would like it to be whatever the maximum height is allowed. 

 

Fisher:  From the base to the top of the sign is 8 ft. 

 

Daily: You are saying that you want to comply with whatever it is 6ft. or 8ft.?

 

Oyster:  Right.  We just want to be at the maximum.  I can touch base tomorrow and verify the height. 

 

Daily:  Yes.

 

Jordan:  Don’t we really need to look at the definition of ground sign?  Shouldn’t it be monument sign rather that ground sign? 

 

Fisher:  Under the current code yes, but under the new code it will be monument sign.

 

Jordan:  Right now under the new code the ground sign is 4 ft.

 

Fisher:  Yes.

 

Coleman:  The sign that you are putting on the building, are they lit?  They are flat with fluorescent bulbs behind?

 

Oyster:  Right.

 

Coleman:  I think it will be fine.  Like you said it isn’t going to be anything in four months.

 

Lane:  I move for a favorable recommendation of AB-04-21 variance for Pizza Hut signs.

 

The motion was seconded by Ron Coleman and passed as follows:

            Ayes:    Coleman, Lane, Geeting, Jordan (4)

            Nays:  None.

           

AB-04-16 – Variance – Gary L, Miller – 228 S. Beech Street:

 

Jordan:  The applicant has applied for variance for the lot located at 228 S. Beech Street, zoned ‘R-3.’  The applicant wishes to replace the existing, valid nonconforming mobile home with a new mobile home.  Donnette, where are we on this?  You were going to write a recommendation on this.

 

Fisher:  It is in your packets.

 

Jordan:  Motion to remove this from the table.

 

Coleman:  I make a motion to remove AB-04-16 from the table.  Harold Geeting seconded the motion and it passed as follows:

            Ayes:  Coleman, Lane, Geeting, Jordan (4)

            Nays:   None

Johnson:  Excuse me, what did you just do?

 

Jordan:  Now that it is removed from the table you can talk about it.

 

Would the Law Director like to summarize what she wrote? 

 

Fisher:  I took a look at the auditor’s website and I was able to find that the mobile home had been there since at lease 1960.  The farthest back I can find our current was about 1968 so it appears that it was there before the zoning was in effect and is a valid non-conforming use.  If you look at our zoning code it states that the substitution of a lawful nonconforming use with another equally or more appropriate nonconforming use shall be permitted, provided no structural alterations are made.  I don’t know how you would ever replace a non-conforming building with another building without making structural alterations.  It seems to me that this section was only meant to apply to uses and not the actual buildings.  If you had a motor shop in a residential area you could not expand that by making structural alterations to the home. 

 

I then went to the Ohio Revised Code, which said that you have to allow for reasonable restoration, reconstruction or substitution, including buildings and structures. 

 

I was then able to find two cases; there were none in the 12th District.  I was able to find one in the 6th District and one in the 8th District.  The 6th District, in 1996, Kelley’s Island v. Johnson case, that was a case where someone took out a valid nonconforming mobile home and replaced it with a newer model.  The Court held that replacing it with exactly the same use was a “reasonable substitution.”

 

The 8th District looked at that in two separate cases, 1997 and 2003,and they furthered clarified that. In those cases the Plaintiffs had attempted to replace their mobile homes with larger models.  The Court in those cases said that you had to have a variance for that.  If the mobile home was the exact same size as the previous and sets on the exact same footprint then you have a valid substitution and you don’t even need a variance.  If it is any larger and sits on any different footprint, then you need a variance. 

 

That is kind of what it came down to.  I am not sure that we were sure whether the new mobile home that they want to put on the lot is the exact same size?  If it is the exact same size and the exact same footprint, then we don’t even need a variance, based on those two cases.  If there is any difference in the size of the mobile home or where it is going to sit or the amount of space it takes up on the lot, then they would have to have a variance.  Which you don’t have to grant.

 

Jordan: Basically why I asked you to summarize, you didn’t help me at all.  After reading what you wrote and what the code said, we can’t grant it because it is a legal non-conforming use.  It is my understanding, from what I read, that they would have to put back exactly what they took out. 

 

Fisher:  Yes.  Other than that they would have to have a variance and both of the cases from the 8th District, the Appellant Court held up the decisions of the Appeals Board denying the variance to allow for a larger mobile home.  If it is any bigger then they have to have a variance but you don’t have to grant it.  It is you discretion to approve or deny that. 

 

Jordan:  Who is representing this tonight? 

 

Millers:  Betty Lou Miller and Gary Miller.

 

Jordan:  If I remember right, the trailer is going to bigger than the existing trailer, right?

 

Miller:  About 4 feet.  The trailer that was in there had the add-on rooms and they were equal to about 8 feet.  Actually, it is just a little smaller, the main body.  Lengthwise the trailer if the same. 

 

Jordan:  Is this going to sit in the exact same spot?  Length wise it is the same and the width wise? 

 

Miller G.:  The one that was in there, the main body, was 10 ft. wide and this one is 14 ft. but it had about 6 ft. add on, on the trailer that is presently sitting there.  It would be 2 ft. smaller than the overall dimensions. 

 

Jordan:  Your south line, 5 ft. setback, is that correct? 

 

Miller G:  Yes, that would be the same. 

 

Fisher:  You don’t think the setbacks will change?

 

Millers:  No.

 

Jordan:  Basically that is what we have to worry about.  The trailer is the same size, the setbacks are the same and it is going right in the same place.

 

Miller:  You can’t do nothing else with it.  You can’t build a home in there, that lot is too small.

 

Fisher:  Actually, you could, Bob Wherley said so.

 

Jordan:  Yes, I saw that Bob said you could, but it would be small.  I guess they are asking or have their application for a variance but what we are determining now is if it is a lawful non-conformity use.

 

Fisher:  It is a valid non-conforming use.  You determine the size, if the footprint is the same and you can dismiss the application, send them on their way they can put the new one in and they don’t need a variance. 

 

Jordan:  If that is their interpretation.   

 

Fisher:  If you interpretate that it were a different size then you would have to grant them a variance for it. 

 

Coleman:  We don’t know.  All we know is what they tell us. 

 

Johnson:  Actually, you should already have the papers on that.  He brought them up and we gave them to Mr. Wehrley’s office that showed everything on it.

 

Fisher:  We didn’t have anything submitted that showed what the old size was. 

 

Johnson.  It was smaller.

 

Fisher:  It showed the new one but not the old one.

 

Johnson:  You showed it up on the slide that showed the extensions.  

 

Miller:  It was 10x50, main body and then it had two add-ons on it and they come out six to eight feet. 

 

Johnson:  When the side part was build the brought it all the way out to the driveway, on the old one.

 

Spitler:  Was the add-on the same length? 

 

Miller:  No. It was like two small sections where they added on to the living room and then made a bedroom out of one.

 

Spitler:  How long do you think they were? 

 

Miller:  Maybe, 6x10 and 8x12.

 

Discussion among everyone.

 

Jordan:  What did you come up with for square footage?

 

Spitler:  I come up with 656 sq. ft. for existing as opposed to 728 sq. ft.

 

Jordan:  Personally I would be more comfortable if we had some exact measurements.  I don’t see how we can make the determination of whether we are increasing or not.

 

Fisher:  We knew it was going on the exact footprint but didn’t know how wide.

 

Jordan:  I will leave it up to the Board’s discretion, we can either or make a recommendation to the Appeals Board and or we can table and request more information from the applicant. 

 

Fisher:  If you determine that it is the exact same size you wouldn’t need to do anything.

 

Jordan:  I don’t see how we can determine that it is the exact same measurements without the measurements. 

 

Coleman:  The odds of it being the exact same size is slim. 

 

Daily:  The standard is exact. 

 

Fisher:  In both of these cases the plaintiff had tried to put in bigger mobile homes. 

 

Miller:  This one might be bigger than what was in there. 

 

Daily:  When you say add-on?  That was not part of the original trailer?

 

Miller:  Well, the guy that we had come and look at the trailer, to see about pulling it out said it look like at one time that it was a slide out.  That one section of it actually pulled out but over the years it was probably because of leak damage it became permanent.  Another section of it has been added on and it wasn’t part of the original trailer. 

 

Daily:  Which part?

 

Miller:  The back part.  The one back next to the garage. 

 

Johnson:  Basically what it comes down to, here is the trailer, and it sits here, with the extension here.  The trailer they are putting in is, we measure it at 6 ft. over from what the extension was.  It is going to be the same length but smaller this way. 

 

Miller:  Because of the add-ons.

 

Geeting:  The add-ons didn’t go the full length of the original trailer?  This would be full length and 14 ft. wide.  It could come out more unless we know the figures.

 

Miller:  The new one is very nice.  It has a singled roof and everything.  We had to look for a certain size because that is what we knew we had to put in there. 

 

Fisher:  Kelley’s Island, in that case,they took out the old manufactured home and put the new one in back in the same location. 

 

Johnson:  The old one is trash, beyond repair. 

 

Fisher:  Technically, you could say the exact same size is the exact same footprint. 

 

Jordan:  If you go to the O.R.C. Section 713.15, that you have given us, states that the legislative authority of a municipal corporation must provide for reasonable restoration, reconstruction or substitution of nonconforming uses, including buildings and structures. 

 

Fisher:  You have to allow for reasonable substitution, by law.  So, if we find this a reasonable substitution, that same footprint, they are done. 

 

Jordan:  Is the Board comfortable doing that without any measurements?

 

Geeting:  I think I would rather see some measurements.

 

Jordan:  I would to.

 

Miller:  What do you want measurements of?

 

Jordan:  The existing structure versus the new structure. 

 

Johnson:  Length or width?

 

Jordan:  All of it.

 

Geeting:  All of it.

 

Johnson:  Isn’t there a place on the auditor’s page that lists exactly all the measurements?

 

Spitler:  If you would like, staff will go out and measure it for you.

 

Miller:  There is nobody there.  We are just trying to get it fixed up and we want her daughter to move in there.

 

Spitler:  Staff will go out and measure it, Tom.

 

Jordan:  If staff would go out and measure it that would be fine with me.

 

Miller:  There is no reason nobody can’t go there.

 

Fisher:  I know it seems like a pain to you, but if they measure it and it is the same then you are done and if they don’t and you take your chance on a variance you take a chance of needing it. I think measurements are a good thing.

 

Jordan:  Right now, if we go by the 520 sq. ft. of the auditors pages show, you increasing by 30% what you want to put in there.  If they go out and measure the actual structure.

 

Daily:  If it is the same footprint and they bring it back to Bob and he agrees it is the same footprint, then they are done. 

 

Miller:  Is there certain type of paperwork we will need to get that one moved out and the new one moved in there?  The person we were talking to about moving it said we had to have a written paper from Council.

 

Daily:  There is a permit for that and Bob will take care of that. 

 

Miller:  Do you want me to take these measurements?

 

Jordan:  City staff will do it for you. 

 

Miller:  Do we not have to come back, Dave?

 

Daily:  We will get the measurements and if it the same footprint, then Bob will say yes or no.  We will let you know.

 

Fisher:  If it were the same footprint, I would imagine this Board would dismiss the application. 

 

Coleman:  I move that we table AB-04-16 until we have clear measurements.  The motion was seconded by Harold Geeting and passed as follows:

            Ayes:    Coleman, Lane, Geeting, Jordan (4)

            Nays:   None

 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Jordan:  The next item on the agenda is old business.  Does anyone have any old business? 

 

Fisher:  You will be getting your zoning code at the January meeting.  You will have to decide when you want to start going over it, and if you want to set up work sessions. To try and go through the zoning code and deal with all the cases you have just wouldn’t work.  If you want to set up some work sessions, I will get you copies. 

 

Daily:  If they wanted to, they could meet at like 6:30 p.m. 

 

Jordan:  What you might want to consider is doing it once a week and we will advertise for work sessions and go next door where we can spread our books out.  Myself, Tim and Harold are pretty much familiar with what we have gone through for the last eight months.  We just need to bring the others up to speed on it. 

 

Fisher:  What we will probable have you do, we will have you establish yourself into a committee as a whole.  We will have to advertise, it is a public meeting.  That way anyone in the public that wants to come can come.  We will do all of that at your next meeting.

 

Jordan:  Hopefully it will go a lot smoother than it has in the last eight months.  Any other old business?  If not, any new business?

 

NEW BUSINESS; 

 

Pope:  My name is Stephen Pope and thank you for allowing me a few minutes of your time.  I am here tonight on behalf of my client Andrew Conley and Robert and June Day.  Robert and June Day own a piece of property, seven lots at the end of Decatur Street at Park Avenue.  To give you some point of reference, it is right north of the Eaton Youth Center, just to the east of the football field.  If you have been by there recently that whole property there is for sale.  Mr. Conley is interested in purchasing that property.  He would like to develop, there are about four lots in there and each lot is about 49 ½ feet wide and 198 feet deep. He would like to develop the vacant portion of those four lots.  I have some sketches I have made up of what my client is thinking of.  This would require a change in zoning.  Mr. Day owns everything from Park Avenue over to the right hand side of where that bold line is.  Right now he has a split-level frame residence there with a garage and a shed as I have shown on the drawing.  To the north of these lots there is an unapproved alley and as I indicated to the south is Decatur Street.  What my client would like to do is to take those four empty lots, which are currently zoned ‘R-2’ and he would like to seek a change in the zoning to ‘R-3’, which would allow for a multi-family unit to be put there.  I will tell you that, and looking at the zoning map of the City in that area, everything around there is zoned ‘R-2.’  My suggestion to him was that we just rezone everything there lot 1639 through 1645, those seven lots.  Just change the whole ownership that Mr. Day owns.  To change everything to ‘R-3.’  I think that would look better on your map than just having spot zoning.  Instead of just going ahead and applying for changing of the zoning he wanted me to come before the Board and get your feelings about it.  If you thought something like this use that we are proposing would be appropriate for that area and the change of zoning would be an appropriate change for that area as well.  We didn’t want to pursue it if you felt like this was something that the Board would not consider.  We didn’t want to waste your time and quite frankly we wouldn’t want to waste my client’s time as well.  Whatever you might think, I am not looking for an official answer right now.  We are proposing an eight-unit structure.  It would be very similar to what Mrs. Ketron built just to the north on Park Avenue, up where it makes that bend and goes to the northwest, behind Greenbrier.  We did that back in 1994 for her.  That was a six unit structure there and that worked out real well for them up there.  This just has two more units, it would be the same look and complexion as that unit has.  We have shown a parking lot here with about 3.2 cars per unit, which is far more than what your code would require.  What I have sketched up is just my thoughts, I just did this today.  This is not by any means anything final, just my thoughts.  There is adequate water and sanitary in the area.  We shot the sanitary and it is deep enough that we can service these four lots very adequately with the extending sanitary to the east down that alley and then over to the new apartment complex.  With that Mr. Chairman, I would look to you for some direction and advcse, if you think this is something which the City would welcome or if you don’t think it is, we will just put it away and back off.  Every time I get a call from a client and they ask me and quite frankly I can’t give them the answer.  I will tell you again that that whole area there is currently zoned ‘R-2’ and we are requesting ‘R-3.’ 

 

Jordan:  Off the top of my head, looking at this, I would not recommend it. 

 

Coleman:  The thing I was wondering is about the drainage and the Flood Plain.  This may is a little vague, but you know water does get in there.

 

Pope:  In 1959 Eaton suffered one of the worse floods it ever had and I have a photograph of that area, Decatur and Park Avenue, and it is about four feet deep at that location.  I took this information from two sources, the FEMA map and the county GIS system that they have.  The flood elevation at that point, at the intersection of Decatur and Park Avenue for the 100-year storm is 1026.  The four lots that we are proposing this development on is well above that.  We would supply the necessary calculations, if zoning was approved and it went that far, we would submit all the necessary engineering documentation that would back that up.  The flood plain does not pose a problem for what we are proposing for these four lots. 

 

Coleman:  Every couple of years when we drive down that way in March and April and we go through water. 

 

Jordan:  I am sure they could control the floodwater but you are putting a multi-family of three or more into a ‘R-2’ district which is two-family residential and I just don’t like the sounds of that.  I can see problems developing, but that is just my opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pope:  Sure.

 

Jordan:  If anyone else would like to give their opinion, they are more than welcome to.

 

Any other new business? 

 

Ron Coleman made a motion to adjourn and Tim Lane seconded it.  All ayes and meeting adjourned.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________ __________________________________ 

                          Secretary                                                           Chairman