A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held May 11, 2026 at the Sharon Township Meeting Hall. Members present were Planning Commissioner Bryce Jacob, Paul Collini, and Rich Skowronski. Also present were residents Jennifer and Eric Weismantel and Susan Elliskerr. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of April 13 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: 3, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (3-0).
  2. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Jennifer Weismantel at 5739 Dover to add an addition and concrete patio to the rear of the house. The addition will consist of white vinyl vertical board and batten. The doors and windows will match those currently existing and the homeowners will eventually paint the garage white to match. The shingles will match those currently existing, with plans for all of the shingles on the house to be replaced soon. The homeowners will likely replace the metal roof on the porch with matching shingles as well when that work is performed. The soffit and fascia will be vinyl. A rear door that matches the current oak front door will be installed.

A new vinyl sliding door and step down to the patio will be installed. The patio will be stamped concrete with a border. This project will increase the lot coverage from 35% to 37%, which falls under the required 40% maximum.

Skowronski moved to approve the plans as submitted and Collini seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 3, Collini, Jacob, and Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (3-0).

  1. The Planning Commission discussed the potential changes to the Village zoning code around fences. The Solicitor is currently reviewing the proposal, with a focus on whether the Village is allowed to prohibit the demolition of houses. While this prohibition will likely not be allowed, the Village is allowed to make restrictions on the designs of new builds, including size and requirements, such as requiring no more than 50% of the front of the house to consist of a garage. The Planning Commissioner recommended adding planting recommendations to the website and fence application, rather than to the code itself.

Skowronski moved and Collini seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (3-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk