A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held May 8, 2023 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Bryce Jacob (Planning Commissioner), Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, and Rich Skowronski. Also present were Joel and Elizabeth Limes and Mayor Eric MacGilvray. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

  1. The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of January 9, 2022 were not read since each member had received a copy. Collini moved and Bedell seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted by the Clerk. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, Skowronski; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried 4-0.

 

  1. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Joel and Elizabeth Limes to construct a new home on the existing lot at 5691 Olentangy Blvd. After meetings between the Limes and representatives from the Village to discuss the Village’s easement along the property, the final agreement is to allow a 15 foot easement to the Village so that equipment can access the lift station for the purposes of maintenance and eventual replacement.

The house is to be constructed in a style that will fit with the neighborhood and the other houses along Olentangy Blvd. The sides of the house will consist of coarse cut Oyster El Dorado stone and hardie plank board and batten in a Gauntlet Gray color. The windows will be black Marvin fiberglass. The front door will be Signet fiberglass and the garage door will be Clopay Canyon Ridge. The foundation will be poured concrete and will be stained and textured to match the stonework. A patio at the rear of the house will be Coconut Husk Timbertech with black painted railing. The underside of the eaves will be composite made to match the wood. There are to be black I-beams over the front door and garage.

Lot coverage will be 6% over the entire property, but 23% on the buildable area. Although there is a sidewalk shown in the plans, it is not to be built as part of the project. The homeowners are discussing the potential of removing a security light on the property and adding a power pole with AEP, as the current power line on the property dips low. Construction on the project is to begin in late June/early July, with the foundation to be poured in August.

Collini moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the project as shown in the plans with a request for the Commission to receive updates if the plans change and Skowronski seconded this 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. A street bond will be required as part of the project.

  1. The Commission discussed the addition of a fence surrounding the new generator at the lift station. This fence is needed to protect the generator and public and prevent the generator from being powered off. The approved plans for the fence call for it to be 6 feet tall cedar and 15 feet by 11 feet along the sides.

Collini inquired as to whether this fence will be within the 15 foot easement granted to the Village, which it does.

Joel Limes expressed concern that the fence would interfere with the ability of flood plain mowers to access the land and it does not appear that this will be an issue. Limes also questioned whether the fence needed to be 6 feet in height and Collini replied that it should be this height for security. A suggestion is to give a gate key to the Limes so that they can access the inside of the fence if necessary.

Elizabeth Limes suggested a dark stain on the fence for appearance and to prolong the life of the wood.

Collini moved to approve building and staining of the fence around the lift station and Bedell seconded this 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.

Skowronski moved and Bedell seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (5-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:48  p.m.

 

Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner

Josh Mehling, Clerk