WESTERVILLE — Genoa Township’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and Parks Advisory Committee (PAC) has had a couple recent meetings. Here’s the highlights.
BZA
• The meeting of April 23 saw a Galena family requesting a lot-split. With two members absent, the board moved for a continuance. Another continuance was granted for Cardinal Self Storage for a variance to exceed the maximum gross floor area 65,000-square-feet of one or more buildings at 6201 Maxtown Road. Dave Buhn was thanked for his service to the board.
• The Cardinal variance case was heard on May 28. The staff report said the board previously approved a variance of 79,585-square-feet, and this request was for 186,835-square-feet. Following the applicants’ presentation and questions, the board went into private deliberations. Another continuance was approved.
Next, the BZA approved a variance for a porch addition in the Walnut Grove Estates subdivision in Galena. There was also a request to build a guest house for a residence on Hawthorne Valley Drive, which also received a continuance.
Genoa’s Board of Zoning Appeals consists of Bob DeRose, Paul Hanson, Chair Mark Harmon, Mark Phillips, Vice Chair Teresa Yu, and alternates Mark Campanella and Jerrad Christian. Deputy zoning inspectors Paul Benson and Susan Dorsch are the BZA staff representatives.
PAC
• On April 3, there was discussion on whether to rename the recently acquired Freeman Farm property a park or a preserve. There is already a Freeman Park in the township. The top five naming options would be presented at a future township trustees meeting.
• The May 1 meeting included public comment “Recommending a Genoa Township Park be added on the east side of Hoover (Reservoir),” minutes said. “Possible nature preserve with walking paths. Guests have a plot of land in mind but currently not for sale. This land can connect to several neighborhoods in the area. Next steps would be to present to Trustees. Possibly can apply for grants.”
There was also a suggestion for adding a greenhouse to the community gardens that could be used in the winter.
• A Galena resident spoke at the June 5 meeting. He “was interested in how to obtain grants for park land over near Red Bank (Road),” minutes said.
The PAC consists of Chair Molly McHale, Vice Chair Stephanie West, Secretary Rich Kaschak, Amy Barr, Tyson Cline, Erin Francoeur, Phil Johnson, Brian Wellman and Mark Wigginton. Also attending the meetings are former Maintenance Director Bob Mathews, current Maintenance Director Lauren Fitzpatrick and Trustee Connie Goodman. They meet in the Township Hall, at 5111 S. Old 3C Highway, Westerville.
Assistant Editor Gary Budzak photographs and reports on stories in eastern Delaware County and surrounding areas. He can be reached at 740-413-0906.
