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Commission approves variance for backyard gazebo in Canal Winchester Old Town historic district
Summary
The commission approved VA-25-010 to allow a 12-by-10-foot gazebo and a second accessory structure to remain about 5 feet from a dwelling in the Old Town single-family historic district; the homeowner acknowledged the structure was built without prior approvals and said she takes responsibility.
The Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 8 approved Variance VA-25-010 to permit a 12-by-10-foot gazebo to remain approximately 5 feet from a house in the Old Town single-family zoning district, where the zoning code requires a 10-foot setback for accessory structures.
The property is in the city’s Old Town Overlay District and lies within the National Register historic area. The Landmarks Commission previously granted retroactive approval for the constructed gazebo in July 2025 but noted a zoning variance remained necessary because the lot already had a detached garage and the gazebo, as built, violates the 10-foot accessory setback from the dwelling.
Staff reported the gazebo was installed earlier this year without permits; officials discovered the structure while preparing materials for a separate Landmarks Commission matter. The property is also in a special flood-hazard area, staff said, and the applicant argued that a freestanding gazebo is preferable to attaching the structure to the house because attaching it would interfere with windows and trim and would complicate floodplain permitting.
The homeowner addressed the commission and said, “I went about this the wrong way, and I should have sought approval from the Landmarks Commission and the zoning board first. I take full accountability for that.” She said she will complete a residential inspection if the variance is granted and discussed ongoing coordination about floodplain elevation surveys and fire-safety clearances.
Commissioners asked whether the variance would remain with the property; staff confirmed the variance applies to the application contents and would remain with the property. Roll-call votes were unanimous in favor: Donahue — yes; McDonald — yes; Palsgrove — yes; Ritchie — yes; Wildenthal — yes; Deeds — yes.
Staff recommended approval on the grounds that many historic-district homes have multiple accessory structures and that keeping the gazebo freestanding reduced floodplain permitting complications. The commission approved VA-25-010 as presented.
