A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held January 12, 2026 at the Sharon Township Meeting Hall. Members present were Planning Commissioner Bryce Jacob, Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, and Rich Skowronski. Also present was resident Aleta Bouchard. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of November 10 were not read since each member had received a copy. Skowronski 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: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Aleta Bouchard and Dan Miiler at 301 W Riverglen Dr to add a 4 ft unfinished cedar shadow box fence along the sides and a gate at the front of the rear yard. The existing chain-link fence will be removed as part of this project. The right rear side of the yard will use the existing aluminum fence.

Collini 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).

  1. The Planning Commission discussed the potential changes to the Village zoning code around fences. The Planning Commissioner said that he would like to add language protecting the existing homes, most notably the homes along the river, though this may not be able to be added, as the Village is not in a historic district. He stated that he felt that he did not feel that paint colors of houses within the Village are outside the scope of the Planning Commission.

Collini stated that he felt that the Commission should recommend that residents use shrubbery and trees for privacy and should recommend types that would serve this purpose. The Planning Commissioner suggested that the Village consult with an arborist or landscape architect to determine these recommendations.

Collini felt that fences should not be higher than 4 ft in height unless they are surrounding a swimming pool. The Planning Commissioner suggested limiting the permitted types in the code, and if an applicant desires a different type, they can bring this request to the Planning Commission. Skowronski suggested scheduling a separate meeting to discuss the language, possibly inviting the Solicitor to attend.

The Planning Commissioner suggested that smaller teams handle different areas of the desired language in advance of the next meeting. These groups are shown below:

Landscaping – Zipfel, Skowronski

Fence definitions – Collini, Bedell

Demolition – Jacob

The Commission will meet in February to discuss this language, regardless of if there are any applications in the month.

Collini moved and Skowronski seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (4-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk