A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held April 14, 2025 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Planning Commissioner Bryce Jacob, Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, and Rich Skowronski. Also present were residents Jake Kolbus and Cory & Lauren Shields. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
- The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of March 10, 2025 were not read since each member had received a copy. Bedell moved and Collini seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Bedell, Collini, and Jacob; Nay: None; Abstain: 1, Skowronski. The motion carried 3-0-1.
- Revisions to the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by John & Ann McAlearney at 5815 Carrington Ct to replace the existing brick walkway with a cement walkway due to tree roots growing into the existing walkway. The new walkway will be 32 inches wide and will be brushed concrete to match the existing driveway. This replacement will change the walkway footprint and lot coverage slightly, but is still within the accepted range.
Skowronski moved to approve the plans as submitted and Bedell seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Cory and Lauren Shields at 131 W Southington Ave to remove the existing construction stairs and build a paver patio at the rear of the house. The original plans for the house called for the addition of a patio but these plans were put on hold and the stairs were installed in its place.
The new patio will be square in shape vs the rounded pattern in the original plans and will be constructed of Unilock Beacon Hill smooth pavers in Opal with a border of Unilock Copthorne pavers in Basalt. There will be Bruessels Dimensional limestone steps down to the patio. With this change, the lot coverage will go from 39.05% to 39.17%.
Skowronski moved to approve the plans as submitted and Bedell seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).
- An application for revisions to the previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness and Variance by Jake Kolbus at 311 W Riverglen Dr to replace existing trees at the rear of the house, replace the existing wooden deck at the rear of the house with a composite deck, and build a 10’ x 20’ storage shed at the rear corner of the property. The variance is being requested due to lot coverage and the location of the shed. The existing trees on the property are overgrown and unsightly. Kolbus said that he has spoken with the neighbors and they have no concerns with the addition of the new shed.
The current plans call for the shed to be placed 4 feet from the lot line, which is within the 10 ft set back required. The Planning Commissioner stated that he would like to see an official survey of the property to better understand the lot lines. The Planning Commissioner asked if the shed will have a foundation and Kolbus said there will be a gravel base with a cement slab with a 1 ft border on each side.
The new deck will be slightly wider and longer with seating added along the sides. Collini inquired if there was a lot coverage calculation submitted as part of the request and Kolbus stated that this had not been calculated.
Skowronski moved to approve the table the application pending the receipt of a lot coverage calculation and foundation plans for the shed and Jacob seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).
Kolbus inquired as to whether there were any objections to the part of the plans that call for the removal and replacement of landscaping and there were no issues from the Commission. Bedell recommended that deer-resistant arborvitaes be selected for the replacements. Bedell moved to approve the plans for the removal and replacement of trees as submitted and Skowronski seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).
- There was no discussion on the revisions to Village ordinances.
Skowronski moved and Bedell seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (4-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner
Josh Mehling, Clerk