Mr. Jenkins noted for the record that in the absence of both the chair and vice chair he would be conducting the meeting if there were no objections. No objections were stated.

Mr. Jenkins moved to excuse the absent board members and Mrs. Franz seconded the motion. The motion was approved; 3 aye, 0 nay.

MEETING MINUTES

Mrs. Franz moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Reindel seconded the motion. The minutes were approved; 3 aye, 0 nay.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

1. Resolution BZA 16-07

A petition to variance the minimum setback requirement for proposed improvements to be located at 514 S. Main Street.

Mr. Schmiesing provided an overview of the facts concerning this matter citing the following items:

The addition to the existing building adjacent to the street will be to the north end of the existing building and will have a front setback of 1.8 feet.

The proposed front setback of the addition will be consistent with the established building line the structures located in the residential district across the street from this location, as well as those to the north and south of the subject property on the same side of the street.

Mr. Harry Bumgarner, the City of Piqua Economic Development Director, spoke in favor of the resolution noting the City's support of the project. Mr. Bumgarner specifically cited recent changes made to the community reinvestment area boundaries to encourage the development of the project.

Mr. Jeff Hemm of Hemm's Glass, 514 S. Main Street, spoke in favor of the variance noting the need for additional office space as the impetus for the project. Mr. Hemm also commented on the fact that the house that occupied the location where the building addition will be situated also was positioned very close to the front lot line.

With no questions or discussion from the board, Mrs. Franz moved to grant the resolution and Mr. Reindel seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded: Mr. Reindel, Aye; Mrs. Franz, Aye; Mr. Jenkins, Aye. As a result of the vote the setback variance was granted.

2. Resolution BZA 17-07

A petition to variance the off street parking requirement for proposed improvements to be located at 514 S. Main Street.

Mr. Schmiesing provided an overview of the facts concerning this matter citing the following items:

The proposed parking facility expansion will add 20 parking spaces to the existing 22 available spaces.

The additional parking represents a 90% increase in the available parking spaces at this business whereas the building improvements represent only a 12% increase in total building area.

Mr. Jeff Hemm of Hemm's Glass, 514 S. Main Street, spoke in favor of the variance noting that the number of personal vehicles parked on their site varies depending on the job they are working on. For some projects the employee will drive their personal vehicle straight to the job site, and other times employees will park their personal vehicle at 514 S. Main Street and ride to the project site in a company vehicle. Mr. Hemm indicated that in either case the 42 spaces to be provided are adequate for the off-street parking needs of this business.

Mr. Jenkins asked for a clarification on the number of parking spaces to be provided and Mr. Schmiesing responded indicating that there are 20 parking spaces that currently exist and 22 parking spaces that will be added as a result of the improvements being made.
With no additional questions or discussion Mr. Reindel moved to grant the resolution and Mr. Jenkins seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded: Mr. Reindel, Aye; Mrs. Franz, Aye; Mr. Jenkins, Aye. As a result of the vote the parking variance was granted.

3. Resolution BZA 18-07

A petition to variance the planting plan requirement for proposed improvements to be located at 514 S. Main Street.

Mr. Schmiesing provided an overview of the facts concerning this matter citing the following items:

The proposed parking facility expansion necessitates a planting plan be submitted.

The planting area shown on the drawing submitted includes only a small area adjacent to the proposed building addition. Given the code does not include specific requirements for the amount of planting to be provided, only that a planting plan be submitted, staff has requested that the BZA consider a variance for this item given the relatively minimal amount of plantings being provided compared to the area of the parking lot expansion.
Mr. Jeff Hemm of Hemm's Glass, 514 S. Main Street, spoke in favor of the variance noting that the code does not specify the amount of plantings required, only that there be plantings. Mr. Hemm also commented on the overall absence of plantings in the neighborhood in general, and suggested that any plantings added to the site create additional maintenance needs. He also commented that adding any plantings to the parking lot expansion area may result in a conflict with delivery truck traffic, in particular if future expansion plans come to fruition.

Mr. Reindel asked Mr. Hemm to elaborate on the future expansion plans. Mr. Hemm indicated that he envisions adding onto the existing warehouse to the south to create a new loading dock facility.

In response to a question from Mrs. Franz Mr. Hemm stated that the loading facility would be entered and exited from S. Main Street, not South Street.

Mrs. Franz commented on the importance of landscaping to enhance the quality of a neighborhood and moved to deny the variance request. There was no second on the motion.

Mr. Jenkins moved to grant the resolution and Mr. Reindel seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded: Mr. Reindel, Aye; Mrs. Franz, Nay; Mr. Jenkins, Aye. As a result of the vote the planting plan variance was denied.

Following comments from Mr. Hemm indicating a willingness to add landscaping to the tree lawn area Mr. Schmiesing commented that he was confident that the plan could be modified to address the planting plan deficiency in a manner that will satisfy the code requirements.

4. Resolution BZA 19-07

A petition to variance the minimum setback requirement for proposed improvements to be located at 411 Grant Street.

Mr. Schmiesing provided an overview of the facts concerning this matter citing the following items:

The subject property has frontages on three streets (Commercial, Grant, and South), and therefore has three front yards, each subject to the front yard setback requirement.

The three front yards, and the fact that Commercial acts more like an alley than a street, makes this a unique situation.

Mr. Greg Walters, 1308 Clark Avenue, spoke in favor of the variance commenting that he stores his antique printing equipment collection in this building and he has outgrown the existing space.

Mr. Jenkins verified with Mr. Schmiesing the subject parcel was once part of the railroad spur, and asked for a clarification on the setback requirement, which was provided.

With no additional questions or discussion from the board, Mr. Jenkins moved to grant the resolution and Mrs. Franz seconded the motion. The following vote was recorded: Mr. Reindel, Aye; Mrs. Franz, Aye; Mr. Jenkins, Aye. As a result of the vote the setback variance was granted.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

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