A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held February 10, 2025 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Planning Commissioner Bryce Jacob, Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, and Jennifer Zipfel. Also present were residents Stephen Wisler, Mary Rogers, Emily Andrews, Bob Mintz, and Kyle Ruha, Nora Kepes of Hidden Creek Landscaping, Paul Lenz of Lenz Design, and Village Solicitor Leah Reibel. Resident Jim Gimeson was in attendance via phone. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of February 10, 2025 were not read since each member had received a copy. Collini moved and Jacob 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 Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 4-0.
  2. Revisions to the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Stephen Wisler at 248 Melbourne Pl to expand the size of the garage, add an addition that connects the house to the garage, replace the house siding, and rework the driveway and patio. Wisler submitted revised plans as requested by the committee that reduced the size of the garage per recommendations at the previous meeting. The plans still include a patio that will require a variance due to the location in relation to the setback. An application for this variance will be submitted at a future meeting.

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

  1. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Mary Rose at 5719 Olentangy Blvd to construct a series of four retaining walls along the hillside at the rear of the house. Nora Kepes of Hidden Creek Landscaping was in attendance to discuss the project. Kepes stated that the current concrete paver retaining wall needs to be replaced as it is crumbling and overgrown. The new wall will be constructed of Unilock stone along with decorative stones.

Zipfel noted that the current plans call for the addition of Hydrangeas to the landscaping and recommended that another plant be chosen to replace these, as they are likely to be eaten by the deer in the area. Neighbor Mary Rogers questioned whether salt licks are still included in the plans, as they were in previous plans. Kepes replied that these are not planned to be added.

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 Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (4-0).

  1. An application for revisions to the previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness by Melissa Kentner and Jim Gimeson at 5859 Olentangy Blvd to demolish the existing house on the property and replace it with a new ranch home. Although the project had been previously approved, the applicants were still required to submit the planned colors and materials. Paul Lenz of Lenz Design was in attendance to discuss the project and revisions and share material and color samples. Jim Gimeson was also available via phone to discuss the project.

The revised plans for the house still call for the house to be about 3,000 sq ft, though they have been changed to make the house wider and shallower, as the previous plans had been designed around an existing oak tree, and the new plans call for that tree to be removed due to concerns about damage during construction. The revised plans also change the materials from stone and siding to stone and stucco and also make the front entrance more prominent, with a standing seam roof over the entryway. There will be black accents around the windows, a black door, and a black garage door, with opaque windows in the garage door. Zipfel noted that the walkway is within the setback and Lenz stated that the Village code allows walkways to be within the setback, but this can be modified if necessary. The steel door off of the garage will be painted to match the house. The curb cut for the driveway had been previously approved and the planning Commissioner reminded the applicant that the curb needs to be cut and replaced.

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

  1. The Village Solicitor was in attendance to discuss the potential for changes to the Village’s ordinances around fences. The Solicitor questioned if the Commission is looking for an edit or a total rewrite of the section of the code concerning zoning and the sense of the Commission is that they are looking for a rewrite. The Commission reviewed the potential changes that they would like to see to the code:

 

  1. Separate out hedges and shrubbery into a separate section from fences.
  2. Limit the height of fences to 48 inches with certain exceptions.
  3. Fence maintenance – Wood fences need to be stained or sealed. Metal fences should maintain their color in a neutral palette.
  4. Prohibited types of fences – Maintain the current language and add chain-link.
  5. Design – The Commission would like to require some type of gaps in fences. The Commission would like to see the current language delineating fences and walls clarified. The Solicitor will look at the language in the code of other area municipalities, such as Bexley and Worthington.
  6. The Commission would like to require that a survey be submitted with a fence application to clearly identify the fence location in regard to the property lines.
  7. There are questions regarding the maintenance of fences if placed on either side of a property line.
  8. The Commission would like to change the language that allows exceptions to the code with written permission from neighbors.

 

The Solicitor will begin drafting language taking these changes into consideration and will work with Zipfel as the primary contact on the Planning Commission. Zipfel stated that she felt that the Commission should focus on the language around landscaping next, primarily prohibiting invasive plants such as bamboo.

Collini moved and Zipfel seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (4-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk