Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals (“Board”) met on Monday, March 14, 2022, at 2:00 pm in the 1897 Room, 104 E. Main St, Lancaster, Ohio. Members present were Rebecca Anderson, Jim Edwards, Belinda Nebbergall and Tim Oatney. Staff present were Stephanie Hall, Law Director, Mitch Harden, City Prosecutor’s Office, Pete Vail, Zoning Official, Geoff Davis, Building Official, Paul Martin, Service Safety Director, David Scheffler, Mayor, Phyllicia Faieta, Mayor’s Office and Kevin Funk, Administrative Assistant. Chairman Oatney called the meeting to order and explained the procedures of the meeting. Mr. Oatney also advised that anyone addressing the Board would be sworn in before speaking. All those wishing to speak were sworn in. Mr. Oatney read the Notice of Appellate Rights to all attendees. Ms. Nebbergall made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 14, 2022, meeting; Mr. Oatney seconded. The members voted by voice to unanimously accept the minutes as provided. BZA CASE NO. 634 Mr. Colt Huffer of 1047 Sugar Grove Road, Lancaster, Ohio, has applied for a special exception (BZ- 000634) for the property located at 529 N. Columbus Street also known as parcel number 0532033300. This property is zoned CG: Commercial General. Mr. Huffer wishes to operate a welding fabrication business at this location. Planning & Zoning Code Section 1133.03(c) 10 requires a special exception for this use. There are no other issues with this request. Signage and an occupancy & compliance inspection are pending approval for the section exception. Mr. Huffer is requesting the Board grant a special exception for the welding fabrication business. After a brief description from Mr. Huffer detailing his welding fabrication business, Mr. Oatney recused himself from the case due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Edwards asked how long Mr. Huffer had operated the business at the location. Mr. Huffer stated he had been working at the location for about 3 years and was unaware of having to file paperwork with the City. An inspection from the fire department prompted Mr. Huffer to file his paperwork. Property co-owner, Megan Milisits of 533 North Columbus Street, Lancaster, Ohio added that there have been no complaints regarding Mr. Huffer’s business, and that the property was zoned Commercial General. Ms. Nebbergall asked if there was enough parking. Mr. Huffer stated that there was enough parking. Ms. Anderson asked for more information about the business. Mr. Huffer stated that most of the work performed was artistic and precision welding/fabrication such as handrails, but also included walk-in business as well as commercial business. Ms. Anderson asked if there was any outside storage. Mr. Huffer stated that there may be an occasional trailer outside needing repair. There were no communications nor objections from the City. There was no one in the audience for or against granting the requested action. Ms. Nebbergall made a motion to approve the special exception; Ms. Anderson seconded the motion. The members voted by roll call to grant the special exception and signed an entry stating the same. Mr. Oatney abstained from voting due to the conflict of interest. BZA CASE No. 635 Mr. Steve Eversole, of Eversole Builders, 2495 Election House Road, Lancaster, Ohio, has applied for a special exception (BZ-000635) for the property located at 1321 Ety Pointe Drive, also known as parcel number 0531372600. The property is zoned CG: Commercial General. The property owner, Ety Pointe, LLC, Lancaster, Ohio, wishes to develop a self-serve storage unit facility at this location. Planning & Zoning Code Section 1133.03(c) (6) requires a special exception be granted for this use. The site plan shows the property to be fenced in on all sides. Screening is also shown on the site plan but is not required since Ety Road is a collector street and not an arterial street with residential uses across the street. The site plan shows all easements including a 15 ft. easement for the bike path extension leading northwest along the railroad tracks. Mr. Eversole is requesting the Board grant a special exception for the self-serve storage facility. After a brief description from Mr. Eversole detailing the self-serve storage unit facility, Mr. Edwards asked about maintaining the easement for the bike path. Mr. Eversole stated there was no objection to maintaining the easement for the bike path. Mr. Edwards asked about the screening along Ety Road, specifically to block any lighting. Mr. Eversole stated that all lighting would be downlit, resulting in no light pollution to adjacent properties. Property owner, Lloyd Helber of 1073 Ety Road, Lancaster, Ohio added that black fencing would be used around the property with gate operation from 6am to 10pm. Ms. Anderson asked if the whole six acres would be used for the facility. Mr. Helber stated the facility would utilize the entire six acres and that he intended to clean up the detention pond and surrounding area. Mr. Edwards questioned the responsibility of the detention pond. Paul Martin noted that the City conducts periodic inspections of the detention ponds in the area to ensure compliance with the EPA. There were no communications nor objections from the City. There was no one in the audience for or against granting the requested action. Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve the special exception as proposed, subject to maintaining the bike path easement and proper downlighting; Ms. Anderson seconded the motion. The members voted unanimously by roll call to grant the special exception and signed an entry stating the same. Mr. Edwards made a motion to adjourn; Ms. Nebbergall seconded. The members voted unanimously to adjourn by voice vote.