Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals (“Board”) met on Monday, March 13, 2023 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, David Scheffler, Mayor, Phyllicia Faieta, City Planner, Paul Martin, Service Safety Director and Kendra Brown, Administrative Assistant. Chairman Mr. 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. Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 9 and February 13, 2023, meeting; Ms. Nebbergall seconded. The members voted by voice to unanimously accept the minutes as provided. BZA Case No. 659 Mr. John Manders, has applied for an area variance (BZ‐00659) for the property located at 1377 Old Logan Rd., also known as parcel number 056280100. The property is zoned CG: Commercial General. Mr. Manders wishes to have installed a 5‐foot by 7‐foot menu board to service the new drive‐thru window which is part of the new Rockhouse (community center). The site plan shows the sign placed 6.8 feet from the right of way line at the front. Building Code Section 1317.09 Sign matrix requires the front setback for a freestanding sign must be twenty feet. The sign will be 13.2 feet less than what is required by sign matrix for commercial general. Other issues that are noticeable is the fact the drive‐thru lane and the required screening is in the right of way. Mr. Manders is working with the City of Lancaster Right of Way Manager to allow this within the right of way. Mr. Manders is requesting the Board to grant an area variance for the setback of the sign. After a brief description from Mr. Manders of 1377 Old Logan Rd detailing the drive‐thru and menu sign placement. The sign will be placed on the corner of the building in the sidewalk and will be anchored with bolts. The drive‐thru will be part of the coffee shop and community center. The second parking lot entrance closest to the building is not needed and will be blocked off to create the correct flow for the drive‐thru. A screen will be placed along Old Logan Rd across from the drive‐thru window to diminish the headlight towards Old Logan Rd and US‐33. Mr. Manders is working with the City of Lancaster Right of Way Manager to have the proper permit to be in the right of way. The utility pole that is located on the corner of the building were the sign is to be placed will be removed or relocated. The communications from the City id the requirement of the screen along Old Logan Rd. There was no one in the audience for or against granting the requested action. Mr Edwards made a motion to approve the use variance as proposed; Ms. Anderson seconded the motion. The members voted unanimously by roll call to grant the use variance and signed an entry stating the same. BZA Case No. 660 Mr. Daniel Williams, of 1275 Marquette Dr. NE, Lancaster, Ohio, has applied for an expansion of a use variance (BZ‐00660) for the property located at 2151 W. Fair Ave., also known as parcel number 0531010100. The property is owned by the Lancaster Camp Meeting and Church Assembly (Lancaster Campground) and is zoned CG: Commercial General. The site plan of the proposed expansion of the camping area would be for recreational vehicles. The current campground with 24 spaces was approved by the BZA on April 12, 1978, by granting a variance. Planning & Zoning Code Section 1133.03(b) does not list a campground as a permitted use. Mr. Williams is proposing to expand the campground by adding 18 additional spaces along the south property line closest to the property owned by The First United Methodist Church of Lancaster. Mr. Williams is requesting the Board to grant a use variance for the expansion of the campground. Mr Luke Hurst of 2151 W Fair Ave gave a brief description detailing the campground expansion by adding 18 additional camp sites. A turn around will be added and an additional road to access additional sites. Permission was granted from First Methodist Church to do the grading required by the City Engineering Department. Mr. Dan Williams of 1275 Marquette Dr., stated with the location of the church downhill, having a six foot screen should be enough to block out most the RVs. James Ellinger of 2151 W Fair Ave OFC100, stated this property is not part of the registered historical site. The communications from the City would require screening from the church. There was no one in the audience for or against granting the requested action. Ms. Nebbergall made a motion to approve the use variance subject to adding a six‐foot screen that is at least six inches off the property line; Ms. Anderson seconded the motion. The members voted unanimously by roll call to grant the use variance and signed an entry stating the same. Mr. Oatney made a motion to adjourn; Ms. Anderson seconded. The members voted unanimously to adjourn by voice vote.