A meeting of the Village of Riverlea Planning Commission was held April 14, 2025 at the Old Worthington Library. Members present were Planning Commissioner Bryce Jacob, Christopher Bedell, Paul Collini, Rich Skowronski, and Jennifer Zipfel. Also present were residents Thomas and Susan Bell, Leah Pyter, Andrew Snouffer, Jo Ann and Kerry Bierman, Gina Moore, Lisa Morris, Kent Shimeall, and Richard Buchsieb, and Marian Hobson of Pat Scales Remodeling and Jake Rankey of Rankey Remodeling. The Planning Commissioner called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
- The minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of May 12, 2025 and the special Planning Commission meeting of May 22, 2025 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). Zipfel was not yet in attendance at the time of the vote.
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Leah Pyter at 222 W Riverglen Dr to add a gable style porch roof over the existing front stoop. The current metal railings along the porch will be removed and columns wrapped in black aluminum will be installed to support the roof. There will be no additional concrete added to the porch for the project. The porch roof will have black CertainTeed shingles to match those of the main roof. Skowronski asked if the rafters would be wrapped in the same black aluminum and Pyter answered that they would. The Planning Commissioner asked if the roof would be vaulted on the underside and Pyter affirmed that it would. The Planning Commissioner asked if any new lighting would be installed as part of this project and Pyter stated that the existing lighting would remain.
Skowronski moved to approve the plans as submitted and Jacob seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (5-0).
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by John & Ann McAlearney at 5815 Crescent Ct to remove a double hung window in the front gable and replace this space with siding. This is part of a larger interior project. Jacob presented the application on behalf of Element One. The plans call for the opening to be covered with siding to match the current siding and all of the siding on the house is to be replaced in the future.
Zipfel moved to approve the plans as submitted and Collini seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: 1, Jacob. The motion carried (4-0-1).
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Don & Lucille Gubbins at 5820 Carrington Ct to replace the existing front porch and walkway. Marian Hobson presented the application on behalf of Pat Scales Remodeling. As part of the project, the flowerbed next to the porch will be removed due to water issues in the basement. A covering will be added over the porch. Skoronski asked if the existing walkway would be demolished as part of the project and Hobson confirmed that it would. Zipfel asked if the roofline over the flowerbed would be changed and Hobson stated that there would be no change. Zipfel noted that this project would result in a slight decrease in the lot coverage for the property.
Zipfel moved to approve the plans as submitted and Skowronski seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (5-0).
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Kerry & Jo Ann Bierman at 5757 Olentangy Blvd to remove the existing rear patio and replace it with a deck and to replace the rear walkway. The current patio is brick, with a step down from the house. The new deck will be TImberTech material, with Dark Oak for the primary color and Mocha for the border. The underside of the railing will contain LED lights to illuminate the walkway, which will wrap around the rear of the house. This project will not result in an increase in lot coverage.
Skowronski moved to approve the plans as submitted and Collini seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 4, Bedell, Collini, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: 1, Jacob. The motion carried (4-0-1).
- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness by Gina Moore at 235 W Southington Ave to replace the existing front window with a garage door, replace the windows with casement windows, remove a walkway and decorative wall at the front, add a covered patio at the rear, and update the stucco, trim, and roof. Neighbors had informed the Planning Commissioner that work had already begun on the house, and the Village placed a Stop Order for work on the property on October 1 until the proper application had been received & approved. As part of the prior work, a large tree had been removed from the yard. Moore stated that she had discovered from an arborist that this tree was hollowed out and likely to split soon so it needed to come down; the Planning Commissioner verified that this was the case. Moore stated that the house was in poor condition when she purchased it and that the windows were not sealed, resulting in the need for new windows, doors and roof for the property.
As part of the project, Moore plans to change the roofline of the house so that a previous addition ties in with the rest of the property, which it does not currently do. The plan is to replace all of the windows with casement windows and restore the previous garage and garage door, which a previous owner had converted to a large window. The current blacktop driveway will be replaced due to it being in poor condition and new lighting will be added.
Zipfel noted that the submitted plans did not include a survey, site plans, or picture, and that the application was not clear on what is being approved. The Planning Commissioner noted that the applicant had submitted additional plans shortly prior to the meeting that the Commission members had not yet seen, but that these still did not include a site plan or survey. This is needed for the members to review the dimensions of the project, as well as the lot coverage. The application will need to contain the current and new lot coverage calculations.
The Planning Commissioner noted that the current construction has stucco along an angled water table and asked if the new plans would remove this and have a flat water table. Jake Rankey of Rankey Remodeling replied that they would need to discuss with the Franklin County Building Department whether the lot can be grandfathered in for the current water table or whether portions of the lot will need to be removed, but a slight angle will remain either way. The Planning Commissioner also suggested that the existing stucco on the house be replaced and not repaired, as repaired stucco is unsightly.
Collini inquired as to what part(s) of the project were able to be voted on with the materials submitted. Moore stated that at a minimum, she would like to begin work on replacing the roof and the windows. The Planning Commissioner stated that more information is needed on the windows, and the replacement cannot be approved as currently shown in the plans. The replacement of the roof and shingles is considered maintenance and does not need to be approved. Moore reiterated that the roofline would need to be changed as well to properly tie the previous addition in with the rest of the house.
The Planning Commissioner opened the floor up for public comments. Richard Buchsieb stated that he appreciated Moore’s acknowledgement of the history of the house and area and attempt to take this into consideration in the remodeling. He felt that with the right color scheme, this house could be beautiful. Lisa Morris complimented the plans as well and stated that she had previously had concerns about whether the house design would be drastically changed.
Rankey asked if the garage door could be approved to move forward. The door will be steel, but he did not have any further details as to the style or color to be used. Collini asked if they would be able to proceed with a temporary garage door or if the permanent door would need to be approved. Rankey and Moore stated that they would prefer not to install a temporary door and then replace it with a permanent one. The Planning Commissioner stated that the Commission did not have enough information to approve a permanent garage door.
Skowronski moved to approve the replacement of the roof as submitted with Black Iron shingles and to table the remainder of the application and Collini seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded on the motion: Yea: 5, Bedell, Collini, Jacob, Skowronski, and Zipfel; Nay: None; Abstain: None. The motion carried (5-0).
- The Planning Commission discussed the potential changes to the Village zoning code around fences. He and the Solicitor are reviewing the Dublin fence ordinances and need more input from the Commission members as to what should be included. Collini stated that it is key that the ordinances require that fences have some level of visibility and the Planning Commissioner noted that he felt that the Dublin ordinances do a good job of explaining this. Collini stated that the ordinances should be strict and clearly state that the Village does not want fences, but if a resident wants a fence, it should be 4 ft in height and should include clearly stated reasons for variances to this height.
- Resident Lisa Morris stated that she appreciated the signs being used to indicate which properties are to be discussed at the Planning Commission meetings. She also stated that she felt it was important that the Planning Commission should make it a priority to maintain the trees in the Village as part of approving any plans. Zipfel noted that she had heard of a program held by the Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed to offer trees at no cost to homeowners within the watershed. She will send the Planning Commissioner more information on this to potentially inform residents.
Skowronski moved and Collini seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved unanimously (5-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Bryce Jacob, Planning Commissioner
Josh Mehling, Clerk