CITY OF PICKERINGTON

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

 

PUBLIC HEARING

7:00 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Linek called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M., with roll call as follows:  Mr. Linek, Mr. Cline and Mr. Boruszewski were present.  Mr. Wells and Mr. Wright were absent.  Others present were Lance Schultz, Lori Aberman, Dave Reigelmeyer, Lori Linek and others. 

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINTUES OF January 27, 2005.  Mr. Cline moved to approve; Mr. Boruszewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Linek, Mr. Cline and Mr. Boruszewski voting “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.

 

3.         SCHEDULED MATTERS

 

A.                 Review and request for a motion to approve a front yard setback variance

For a fence along Courtright Drive East for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish at 600 Hill Road North.  Mr. Schultz stated the owner proposes to construct a 6-ft high chain link fence along Courtright Drive.  The proposed fence would be located approximately 10-ft from the right-of-way.  This would be approximately 11-ft from the existing sidewalk.    Therefore, a 20-ft variance is requested.  The church previously dedicated 30-ft of property to the City to construct Courtright Drive East.  The church has already installed fencing along the north and western perimeters of the site.  The eastern perimeter faces Hill Road North.  There is a portion of the fence installed on the southern portion of the site along Courtright Drive but the church does not front Courtright Drive in this area.  The funeral home fronts Courtright Drive in this area.  The church is concerned about safety within their property (retention pond, etc) with the new residential housing across the street and people from the PYAA who use the church property as a cut-through.  If the fence were installed 30-ft from the right-of-way, an undetermined number of trees would be removed.  The majority if not all the trees would be saved if the fence were located only 10-ft from the right-of-way.  Courtright Drive East is considered a major collector in the City Thoroughfare Plan and is planned to extend to Milnor Road.  Therefore, the aesthetics of the corridor is important because there would likely be a significant amount of traffic using this road in the future.  The installation of a fence within 10-ft of the right-of-way would detract from the aesthetics of the corridor.  Therefore, pine trees should be installed adjacent to the fence to help buffer the fence from Courtright Drive.  He continued that staff supports the front yard setback variance request for a fence with the following condition:  that Norway Spruce pine trees a minimum of 5-ft in height at installation shall be installed 15-ft on center in a staggered alignment along the length of the frontage on Courtright Drive East.  The pine trees shall be located south of the proposed fence.  An approved zoning certificate is required prior to installation.  Mr. Linek inquired how many trees would the applicant have to install. 

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

REGULAR MEETING

FEBRUARY 24, 2005

 

Mr. Schultz stated he was not sure of the exact amount, however, the area in question covers approximately 700 feet.  Mr. Linek stated that would require the applicant plant a large number of trees.  Mr. Reigelmeyer after being duly sworn stated the chain link fence would be green.   He stated the request is more for safety reasons.  Mr. Linek inquired does the church already know about the staff recommendation of installing the trees every 15 feet.  Mr. Reigelmeyer stated he does not believe the church already knows about this, however, it will be a large expense for the church to install that many trees.  Mr. Boruszewski stated the applicant would have to install 47 trees to meet the staff recommendation.  Mr. Boruszewski inquired how big do the trees have to be.  Mr. Schultz stated they would have to be 5 foot high at installation.  Mr. Cline inquired does the applicant have to install these specific trees.  Mr. Schultz stated they might be able to install a mixture of these trees and some bushes.  Mr. Linek moved to approve the variance with the stipulation of planting the requested 5-foot tall Norway Spruce trees every 20 feet; Mr. Boruszewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Linek, Mr. Cline and Mr. Boruszewski voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.          

 

            B.         Review and request for a motion to approve front yard parking setback, side yard parking setback and rear yard parking setback variances for Giant Eagle in the former Pickerington Square Shopping Center (Casto).  Mr. Schultz stated the applicant requested this item be tabled.  Mr. Cline moved to TABLE; Mr. Boruszewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Linek, Mr. Cline and Mr. Boruszewski voting “Yea.”  Motion to TABLE passed, 3-0.

 

4.         OTHER BUSINESS.  No other business was brought forward.

 

5.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Cline moved to adjourn; Mr. Boruszewski seconded the motion.  Mr. Cline, Mr. Linek and Mr. Boruszewski voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Board of Zoning Appeals meeting adjourned at 7:20 P.M., February 24, 2005.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

_________________________________

Lori L. Aberman, Deputy Municipal Clerk

 

 

ATTEST

 

 

_________________________________

Lance A. Schultz, Director of Planning and Zoning