05/12/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF NORTH OLMSTED "TOGETHEla WE CAIV MAI{E A DIFFERENCE!" I.ANDMARKS COMMISSION 10'IINiTTES - MAY 12, 2003 IN OLI) TOWN HALL 7:00 P.M. 1. ROLL CALL: Vice Chairman Lord called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: B. Lord, T. Dubowski, L. VanAuken, and K. O'Rourke ABSENT: J. Lang, P. Barker, M. Davis, G. Corell, and J. Dailey ALSO PRESENT: Assistant Law Director B. O'Malley II. REVIIEW AND CORREC'I'ION OF MINUTES: The Landmarks Commission minutes from the April 14, 2003 meeting have been submitted for approval. III. NEW BUSINESS: Scott Stettin 27370 Butternut Ridge Rd. - Resident proposes to construct a deck. Mrs. Lord explained the board does not have a quorum so therefore they cannot conduct official business, but they can talk with Mr. Stettin and try to expedite matters as it is not his fault there is not a quorum. Mrs. Lord pointed out that Mr. Stettin lives in the house right next to the library property on Butternut. Mr. Stettin said he would like to put a deck on the back of the house. Mr. Stettin said it will look out over the yard, which is quite wooded. He said there are trees on both sides of his home and the ones on the library side have been marked to remain in place. Mrs. VanAuken asked if any part of the deck would show from Butternut. Mr. Stettin said a person might be able to catch a glimpse from behind the trees. Mrs. VanAuken asked if there will be a railing and some steps going to the ground. Mr. Stettin replied there will be. Mrs. Lord explained that the board tries to keep things non-visible from the street. Mr. Stettin pointed out there is a large dogwood tree and a Japanese maple with a few other small maples to block out visibility from the street. He mentioned that the city is tearing up parts of the sidewalk. He said he spoke with the library building director who was on site today. Mr. Dubowski said there was talk of a turning lane there. Mr. Stettin said the building director made it sound as though the city owns part of the front yard. Mr. O'Malley said that sometimes with property line issues, it goes to the center of the street but is subject to the right of way, which is to the inside of the sidewalk. He added that the engineering department usually handles things like that. Mr. Dubowski suggested that he talk with the engineering department to find out exactly what the plans are. Mr. O'Malley mentioned the construction manager is George Daley. He would be familiar with the roadway improvement plans. Mr. Stettin mentioned they are looking at putting up a privacy fence. They are concerned about the possibility of kids going through the yard. He said he has not been able to get any help from the city. He said he was inforined that at one time there were plans to have a fence along the property line and that was cancelled because of the budget. Mrs. Lord said that generally they have taken the stand that if something was not visible from the street, it was not something they had to be concerned about. Mrs. Lord said she and Mr. Stettin have talked about it because it will be visible from the street and from the library. She pointed out that Mr. Stettin is talking about a privacy fence. The board is opposed to chain link fencing because it does not fit with the character of the street or the homes. She pointed out that anything requiring a building permit on Butternut goes to the board for review. There is always at least a two-week delay because there has to be a posting. W. Stettin indicated he did post the public notice sign. Mrs. O'Rourke suggested they approach the fence proposal as a safety issue because of the children in the area. Mr. O'Malley said he does not recall a fence being part of the library project along the side lot line. Mrs. O'Rourke said that in the very early stages it was part of the plan and it was a safety issue. There were other things dropped from the plans as well and she believes it was a financial matter. She said the trees were slated to stay and that was discussed with the previous owner of the home. That was going to be the barricade. She said that may have given them reason to drop the fence. Mr. Stettin said it may be a natural buffer but there are some open spots. Mrs. VanAuken said the fence does make an extra expense for Mr. Stettin since it will have to be a wooden fence of some sort. She said that with plantings against it, it looks very nice. Mr. O'Malley asked who