Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - April 28, 2014

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Fritz at 6:05 p.m.

PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Mr. Bolek, Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Corcoran, Mr. Fritz, Mayor Renda, Mr. Stanard

Others Present: Dave Strichko, Building Inspector, Aimee Lane, Assistant Law Director, Jeff Filarski, Village Engineer, Sherri Arrietta, Clerk of Council

Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mayor Renda to approve the minutes of the March 24, 2014 meeting.

ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Ms. Corcoran, Mr. Fritz, Mayor Renda, Mr. Stanard
Abstentions: Mr. Bolek, Mrs. Cooper
Nays: None 
Motion Carried 


Michael Chess
550 Chagrin Blvd.
Addition/Deck

Phil Koepf, architect, was present at the meeting. He stated that the homeowners are proposing to remodel their existing home by putting a 6ft. addition on the first floor toward the front of the house and the rest of the addition will be to the second floor. They are also proposing to add a deck in the rear of the house. Mr. Fritz stated that the Village Architect approved the plans with notes; windows to be at the same height and confirm the solid posting of a point load for a girder.

Mr. Bolek made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard to approve the addition and deck located at 550 Chagrin Blvd., contingent upon adherence to the Village Architect’s notes.

ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Mr. Bolek, Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Corcoran, Mr. Fritz, Mayor Renda, Mr. Stanard
Nays: None 
Motion Carried 


Charles Immel
200 Aspenwood
New Dwelling – Non-conforming Existing Lot

Charles and Leslie Immel, homeowners, were present at the meeting. Mr. Immel stated that the existing house will be demoed and the proposed new dwelling will be built behind the location of the existing house. He stated that it is a non-conforming lot because it is less than 2 acres just slightly at 1.96 acres. Mr. Immel stated that the new house will be 5,915 square feet and tree will need to be cleared in order to build it, however, only the amount necessary will be removed. He stated that the lot is very heavily wooded. Mr. Immel stated that they plan to use the existing septic, however, he has not worked the details out as of yet. Mr. Filarski informed Mr. Immel that he would need to show where the septic will be located on a plan and approval from the Board of Health is required prior to the issuance of a permit to work on or put in a new septic system. He also informed Mr. Immel that there is a Village easement for the storm sewer that runs along the left side of his property which the Village will be repairing soon. Mr. Fritz informed Mr. Immel that the Village Architect did not approve the plans because there were a number of additional items that he requires. Mr. Strichko informed the Commission members that the items that the Planning Commission reviews were not an issue as it relates to his and the Village Architect’s conditional approval. He stated that as long as the Planning Commission members want to approve it, they can do so with a conditional approval. Mr. Filarski stated that there were also a few minor site plan issues as well that should be included in the conditional Planning Commission approval.

Mr. Bolek made a motion seconded by Ms. Corcoran to approve the new dwelling conditioned upon final site plan approval, adherence to the Village Architect’s notes and adherence to the Building Inspector’s notes.

ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Mr. Bolek, Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Corcoran, Mr. Fritz, Mayor Renda, Mr. Stanard
Nays: None 
Motion Carried 


Glory Potts Graham
4126 Giles Road
Lot Consolidation

Mr. Bolek recused himself from the meeting due to a conflict of interest.

Glory Potts Graham, property owner, was present at the meeting. She stated that she owns 12 parcels of land and would like to consolidate them into 1 parcel for a total of 8.773 acres. There are currently 4 buildings on the property; a small cottage, a playhouse, a woodworking shed, and a small barn. Mrs. Potts Graham stated that she plans to sell the property to a developer who would be able to put a total of 4 houses on the property; all of the lots are currently non-conforming lots. Mr. Filarski stated that the driveway used by Mr. Bolek’s family (4116 Giles) runs across this property and it was determined that there is an existing access easement from 1972 on a deed that was transferred from the Potts’ family to the Bolek family, however, there is a small portion of the driveway that is not included in the original easement. He stated that he would still recommend going forward with acquiring a new easement that is proposed so that the entire driveway will be included which will eliminate any questions in the future. Mrs. Lane stated that she recommends that the legal description should reference the prior deed (“Prior Instrument Reference”).

Mrs. Cooper made a motion seconded by Mayor Renda to approve the lot consolidation located at 4126 Giles Road, contingent upon updating the current easement and including a prior instrument reference in the legal description.

ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Corcoran, Mr. Fritz, Mayor Renda, Mr. Stanard
Nays: None 
Motion Carried 

At this time, Mr. Bolek returned to the meeting.


Adam Friedman
25 Bernwood
Pool House/Landscaping

Mr. Matt McCue, McCue Designs, was present at the meeting. He stated that Mr. Friedman received approval for the pool house a year ago, however, he has since made changes to it. In anticipation of this project, Mr. Friedman put in some plantings to provide buffer screening from the neighbors that would be able to see the structure. The proposed pool house sits within all the setbacks and his aligned with the corner of the house. Mr. McCue stated that the pool house structure is half enclosed and half is an open outdoor kitchen/grilling area. The enclosed portion includes a rec room with French doors coming off the front and side area, a changing area, a bathroom, and a small mechanical room. Mr. Bolek suggested either moving the French doors slightly or having them swing outward because when both sets of doors are open, they will hit each other. The materials of the pool house will match that of the house; brick wainscoting around entire structure and brick in the outdoor kitchen area, and the siding, windows, and trim will also match the house. He stated that there is a 21 inch grade change along the front of the pool house, so a small brick wall with sandstone steps and columns will be placed there. There will be plantings around the structure to soften it. Mr. McCue stated that there will need to be some re-grading done to the swale area in order to make sure the water can come around the pool house and continue to the existing soil along the back. Mr. Strichko and Mr. Filarski both stated that they did not have any issues with the proposed plans.

Mayor Renda made a motion seconded by Mr. Stanard to approve the pool house and landscaping at 25 Bernwood.

ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Mr. Bolek, Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Corcoran, Mr. Fritz, Mayor Renda, Mr. Stanard
Nays: None 
Motion Carried 


Discussion
Mrs. Cooper asked for an update on the proposed seasonal flower sales at 34500 Chagrin Blvd. Mr. Strichko stated that the applicants are still not sure if they are going to move forward with it because once the owner of the property was aware that the applicants had approval from the Village, he wanted to double the rent. Ms. Corcoran asked if anyone had been to the site to inspect it since the applicants stated at the meeting that the buildings on the property were dilapidated. Mrs. Lane stated that she is currently working on amending the Building Code to include exterior and interior property maintenance requirements for commercial properties, which will go before Council in May.

Mr. Stanard made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cooper to adjourn the meeting at 6:40pm.

ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Mr. Bolek, Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Corcoran, Mr. Fritz, Mayor Renda, Mr. Stanard
Nays: None 
Motion Carried 

Respectfully Submitted,
Sherri Arrietta, Clerk of Council