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41 M BOARD OF BUILDING CQDE APPEALS FEBRU,ARY 23, 1989 PAGE 2 a foot under minimum. Mrm Spoerke is concerned about the height also. Mr. Schulz has a problem with this being a duplex and an office in one building and questioned the zoning. Mr, Conway advised that this is a residential zoning and the code permits a pro.fessional licensed by the State of Ohio, which an accountant is, to have an office in his home with one full time employee as long as there is no outside evidence of a business going on and no other sign than a one square foot nameplate. The code also permits an in-law suite in a homee but it does become a policing problem for the Building Department and Mr. Conway stated that he advised Mr. Ahlers that the apartment would be inspected at least once a year, if not more. He further advised that a certificate of occupancy would be issued and the burden would be placed on Mre Ahlers that when he sells the structure that the next purchaser would be aware of the conditions placed on it. If it were ever discovered that this was being used as a two family or an office appropriate measures would be taken. Mr. Ahlers stated that he had installed the dormer to match the existing peak height and ceiling height which are in that area already, to raise the ceiling would change the characteristic of the home and would reduce its value and that of the surrounding neighbor- hood. He believes that it would be a hardship to have to conform to the code and change the character of the housee T1r. Schulz pointed out that the ceiling was so low the firemen knocked the lamp off. He believes that the existing roof should be raised and the new addition should be a 4 inch pitch, so there is no water problem. Mr. Konold questioned if this were a major changee Mr. Schulz stated that the roof would have to be torn off and raised, but Mr, Ahlers was planning to re-shingle the roof. He also stated that this would eliminate the joist hangers and a ridge board could be put in and properly nailed. Mr. Conway stated that a 2 by 10 foot beam was required on the approved drawings. rir. Ahlers stated that he had ceased construction until he got his approval. Mr. Schulz clarified for Mr. Konold that his concern was just the low headroom, which is below minimum standards and is not suitable for permanent living quarters. He and Mr. Spoerke made suggestions for raising the existing roof to get a proper pitch. r1r. Schulz does not believe it would be a major job to knock the ceiling down between the new addition and the middle bedroom. Mr. Ahlers disagreed and stated that the existing structure is well built and pointed out that there is a dormer bathroom on the other side which would have to be raised. He advised that there are cedar joists in the existing structure. Mre Schulz stated that the existing ceiling in the bathroom could remain and a false roof put over it, Mr. Ahlers stated that the hallway was existing since 1918 and that if he just goes up from the ridge board it would change the character of his house and would be more modern and would not conform to the existing structure. Mr. Schulz stated that there were two alternatives and which one he chose was up to hime Mr. Schulz estimated that it would take three carpenters about two days to raise the roofe Mr. Ahlers reminded the Board the addition would only be used about three or four months in the winter. Mre Schulz stated that the house could be sold in the future. Mra Ahlers stated that he had established his accounting practice and had no intention of moving in the near future, He stated that he would tear off the addition rather than changing the character of the house. Mr. Ahlers belie.ved that to change the roof he would have to change the whole back end of the house. Mr. Schulz and Mr. Spoerke disagreed and Mr. Schulz suggested that he hire an architect. Mr. Ahlers stated that he did not know how to do a11 this him- self and could not afford an architect, Mr, Knold agreed that minimum code should be met, Mr. Conway responded to Mr. Ahlers questions advising that