A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held July 13, 2026 at the Sharon Township Meeting Hall. Members present were Planning Commissioner Bryce Jacob, Christopher Bedell, Rich Skowronski, and Jennifer Zipfel. Also present was resident Steve Wisler and Jessie Garner with Nicholson Builders. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of May 11 were not read since each member had received a copy. Skowronski moved and Bedell seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk-Treasurer. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 2, Jacob and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: 1, Zipfel. The motion carried (2-0-1). Zipfel was not yet in attendance at the time of the vote.
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Neal and Stephanie Gallucci at 5795 Olentangy Blvd to add a second story addition on the house. The plans for the project call for as much of the current brick on the house to be maintained, though it will reface an existing bump out with cultured stone resembling limestone and feature horizontal siding. New shingles on the roof will be Certainteed Max Def Pewter. The siding on the new dormer will match the existing in the rear of the house. The rear will feature a second-floor terrace with black Optimum Aluminum Outdoor railing. The windows will be Maven Ultimate, with a bronze finish on the inside and outside. All existing windows will be painted bronze as well to match. A patio in the rear will consist of Atlas Hero Snow outdoor pavers. There will be no change to the garage door or the front door.

The Planning Commissioner noted that the plans call for windows to be added on the left side of the addition, leaving a large blank gap on the right. Jessie Garner with Nicholson Builders explained that the current plans call for this to be phase 1 of the project, and the planned phase 2 would make additional changes that include adding windows on this portion. As it is unknown if phase 2 will ever happen, she stated that they would be willing to relocate the windows shown in the plans and they can work around this in the future. The Planning Commissioner recommended centering the windows within the room, which would also bring the front of the house into balance. Garner agreed to this move.

There are no plans to remove any trees from the lot in the current plans. Zipfel pointed out that there are currently trees overhanging the house and asked that these be preserved if at all possible. Bedell recommended adding an additional downspout, as there is currently only one in the front of the house shown in the plans.

Zipfel moved to approve the plans as submitted with the modification to relocate the front window to balance the house as previously discussed, pending receipt of modified plans reflecting this change and Skowronski seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0). A street bond will be required for this project.

  1. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness and Variance by Steve Wisler at 248 Melbourne Pl to construct a permeable paver patio adjacent to the garage at the rear of the house. The variance is being requested due to the edge of the proposed patio falling 6.5 ft from the property line, which falls within the 10 ft setback required by code. Wisler had submitted plans for a patio as part of a previous application, but it was denied due to lot coverage issues. The new pavers will be allowed, due to their permeability. The Commission permitted the variance as the patio is in alignment with the rest of the house.

Zipfel moved to approve the plans as submitted and Bedell seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).

  1. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by John and Kaitlyn Peck at 309 Melbourne Pl to construct a 4 ft wrought iron fence at the rear of the property. The house backs up to the woods in Rush Run Park. Bedell questioned the distance from the fence to the lot line, as it was not shown in the plans, but it appeared to be within reason.

Skowronski moved to approve the plans as submitted and Zipfel seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; 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 mentioned that the Village Council would like the members of the Commission to attend the August Council meeting to discuss their proposals. The Solicitor has concerns with the request to prevent demolition of houses within the Village but feels that it is possible to put restrictions on what features a new build may have. The Planning Commissioner distributed the current code around new builds and suggested language to add to this. Zipfel questioned if the Commission should add more restrictions around the looks of new builds.
  2. The Planning Commissioner stated that he had proposed the concept of updating and simplifying the Planning Commission fee structure with Council in June and they had supported the idea. He proposed the following structure for applications:

$50 – Fence & hardscaping

$250 – All additions

$450 – All new builds

$250 – Variance fee

The Planning Commissioner moved to adopt the above fee schedule and modify the Architectural Review form with this information and Skowronski seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).

The Planning Commissioner moved to and modify the Fence permit application form to require a site survey detailing the relationship of the fence to the lot lines and reflect the $50 fee shown above and Skowronski seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).

Skowronski moved and Jacob seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (3-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk