Planning Commission

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Planning Commission Michael Suriano, Chair Michael Greenberg, Vice Chair Bobbie Burba John Hicks Thomas Shapaka Michael Tamarkin Thomas J. Wester Krystal Gonchar, Deputy Clerk of Council Wednesday, July 8, 2020 7:00 PM TELECONFERENCE MEETING * Members of the public who wish to attend may call 614-342-4465. You may submit comments by email to planningcommission@gahanna.gov, up to one hour prior to the start of the meeting. A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL Gahanna Planning Commission met via teleconference for Regular Session on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. The agenda for this meeting was published on July 1, 2020. Chair Michael Suriano called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Present 7 - Thom Shapaka, Michael Suriano, Bobbie Burba, Michael Greenberg, John Hicks, Michael Tamarkin, and Thomas J. Wester B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: None. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2020-106 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes for June 24, 2020. A motion was made by Tamarkin, seconded by Shapaka, that the Minutes be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Shapaka, Suriano, Burba, Greenberg, Hicks, Tamarkin and Wester D. SWEAR IN APPLICANTS & SPEAKERS Assistant City Attorney Matt Roth administered an oath to those persons wishing to present testimony this evening. A motion was made by Greenberg, seconded by Wester, to suspend rules 7.4.4 City of Gahanna Page 1 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 & 7.4.5 of the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Shapaka, Suriano, Burba, Greenberg, Hicks, Tamarkin and Wester E. APPLICATIONS - PUBLIC COMMENT SWP-003-2020 To consider a Subdivision Without Plat application to split off two .153 +/- acre lots from a .592 +/- acre lot, for property located at 4061 Stygler Road; parcel ID No. 025-004316; current zoning SF-3; ACCI Design & Build; Brad Southard, applicant. City Planner Michael Blackford provided summaries of the Subdivision Without Plat and Variance applications; see file titled Administration Presentation. Provided additional images, as presented to staff that afternoon (titled House Models). Reviewed property size lots; many red lots shown are under 8,000 sq. ft. which is below the 10,000 sq. ft. minimum requirement by code; many lots shown in blue are between 8,000-11,000 sq. ft.; various lot sizes. Special circumstances will be discussed by applicant. Staff believes we need new homes since most homes in that area are older than 20 years; follows Land Use Plan recommendations; smaller homes are trending in sales. Chair opened the public comment at 7:15 p.m. David Hodge, attorney for applicant; reviewed lot sizes as listed in application and surrounding area. No issue complying with remainder of SF-3 requirements. This variance allows encroachment in yards for decks or patios. Common complaints of subdivisions, no diversity, all homes look the same, etc.; for this project, can build new homes to add to diversity of lot sizes in the neighborhood. Applicant is on the call if you have questions for him. Clerk confirmed there were no comments from the public. Chair closed the public comment at 7:20 p.m. Called on questions from the Commission. Wester: Asked if we know what the profile or footprint of the house will be; concerned about storage; will there be 2 car garages; what will the square footage of the homes be. Hodge said we have a few different models; one has a front loaded garage; that footprint is 55x31; can accommodate some storage in the garage; other model does not have a garage, footprint is 48x28; there will still be adequate room for their things; stated that property maintenance requirements must be adhered to. Wester asked how many stories will the homes have. Hodge said the model has 1.5 story and a ranch. Southard said he has a few models that he sent to Hodge; can make the homes however they prefer. Blackford City of Gahanna Page 2 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 confirmed that code requires 2 car garage and minimum of 1,400 sq. ft. livable space per one story; not less than 800 sq. ft. on first floor for 1.5 story. Tamarkin: asked applicant if he can meet those requirements just mentioned, without an additional variance. Southard stated that won’t be a problem to meet those requirements. Tamarkin wanted verification that it would include setbacks, does not want to see another variance for those in the future. Southard confirmed. Shapaka: asked if there was consideration to splitting the lots into 2, rather than 3, to mirror what is across the street. Hodge said no. Shapaka said there may be a better profit margin; looks like 2 lots would be more natural. Hodge said after speaking with Southard, they were looking at width as opposed to depth; lot width both to the east and west meets or exceeds what you see at Forestwood. Burba asked what is the plan; what size did they really have in mind. Are these going to be pre-sold lots or spec homes. Southard said they planned to build the homes and then sell them off. Burba confirmed they would be spec homes. Burba asked how many square feet they would be. Hodge said they will market the lot and describe the options to home buyers. Burba asked about the price point. Hodge said $350,000 price range. Greenberg asked if there were any comments from the neighbors. Clerk confirmed there were no comments submit for either of the applications. Greenberg asked if sidewalks are required. Blackford said the code has requirements. Suriano asked if the lots were to get approved, will the purchaser have a choice about what materials will be used. Southard says the materials will tie in to be uniform with what’s around the area. Will comply with all regulations. Suriano asked if we will see a design review or future plan. Blackford said the zoning dictates the next steps; in this case only these applications will go before the commission and building permits will be required. Suriano said we are relying on the code and applicant’s desire to build. Shapaka: asked if they will tear down a house at the corner, or is this just for 2 additional homes. Southard said just for the two. Greenberg: reminded the commission that the application packet included specification that in the motion to approve the variance, should clarify that this only applies to lot A and B. City of Gahanna Page 3 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 Wester: shows tract A and B being 1.5 acres, but original tract is 2.6 acres (1st pg. of application), math doesn’t add up. Blackford said if looking at the survey, if approved, will have one .28 tract and two 1.5 tracts. A motion was made by Burba, seconded by Greenberg, that the Subdivision Without Plat be Approved. Discussion on the motion: The motion carried by the following vote: Shapaka- not in favor; reduction to 10,000 sq. ft. is too excessive; but it looks good; is on the fence; but lots not deep enough in my opinion. Suriano- in favor; when looking at Forestwood Dr. and overlay of lot size map; can see there are several lot sizes that are consistent; on the fence but more on the affirmative; when looking at homes on Forestwood Dr., width of 72 ft. seems appropriate. Wester- in support; given a lot of thought; applicant raised good points about width and depth; trusts that the builder will build something that is compatible with neighborhood; concerned about sidewalks on 2 parcels; will be only sidewalks in the neighborhood. Wonders if we will exclude sidewalks at some point as a future variance. Tamarkin- in favor, torn about this also; if drawings correct, lot immediately to the west is exact same size. Sidewalks are on the lot across the street; there appears to be a hodge-podge of sidewalks in the area; as discussed in the industrial zone, should push for sidewalks, will not support a future variance for sidewalk construction. Yes: 6- Suriano, Burba, Greenberg, Hicks, Tamarkin and Wester No: 1- Shapaka V-012-2020 To consider a Variance application to vary section 1143.07(a) - to reduce lot size and front footage, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Gahanna, for property located at 4061 Stygler Road; parcel ID No. 025-004316; current zoning SF-3; ACCI Design & Build; Brad Southard, applicant. See discussion above, under SWP-003-2020. A motion was made by Burba, seconded by Wester, that the Variance be Approved for lots A & B only. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Suriano, Burba, Greenberg, Hicks, Tamarkin and Wester No: 1- Shapaka F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. City of Gahanna Page 4 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 G. NEW BUSINESS: None. H. OFFICIAL REPORTS Assistant City Attorney No report. Planning & Development Blackford gave an update on the commercial storage facility off Blatt Blvd.; had the last planning inspection; the building is nearly completely leased up; wide variety of tenants; is a hub of activity. Gave update on fence code; at Council Committee meeting on Monday, discussed additional proposed changes in the future, but ok with what was recommended to them and will move forward with those. In the coming months there will be additional code change proposals and discussion here at the Planning Commission. Said lighting code was on first reading at the Council meeting; anticipated adoption on July 20. There’s an application in review that needs a variance depending on when the code is adopted. Takes 30 days to go into effect. Council Liaison Shapaka said that Blackford did a good job of summarizing the events at the Council meeting. CIC Liaison Hicks said they met at a special meeting to discuss supporting Gahanna Together Assistance Fund; working with the Convention & Visitors Bureau to keep businesses open; fund is similar to paycheck protection funds; wants to support small business owners effected by COVID19. Chair No report. I. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: None. J. POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT City of Gahanna Page 5 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 Burba asked if we will continue to meet this way virtually. Mayor Jadwin said that the commission is encouraged to continue meeting virtually, Council will continue to meet virtually at least through Labor Day weekend; told Council at their meeting, that Planning Commission has done an incredible job holding virtual meetings; kudos to everyone. K. ADJOURNMENT By Wester at 7:58 p.m. City of Gahanna Page 6