Pataskala planning commission approves replat to shift lot line between 206 Leesy Drive and 303 Levi Drive

The Pataskala City Planning and Zoning Commission on April 2 approved a replat that moves 1.8 acres from Lot 7 into Lot 8, changing the parcels identified as 206 Leesy Drive and 303 Levi Drive in the Scenic View Estates plan-development district.

The action, on replat application REP-25-001 pursuant to section 11.13.48 of the city zoning code, was approved with two conditions listed in the staff report and passed on a roll-call vote. The change would create Lot 7A at 3.464 acres and Lot 8A at 4.296 acres, according to the application materials reviewed by staff.

Staff told the commission the applicant proposes to move the existing Lot 8 north-northeast, merging 1.8 acres from Lot 7 into Lot 8 to shift a home site away from adjacent properties. The proposed replat requires a short stream crossing (described by the applicant as a bridge) between two wetlands; staff said the Army Corps of Engineers communicated that no Corps permit would be required for the proposed spanning where the bridge would be located. The Board of Zoning Appeals previously granted a variance allowing reduced wetland buffers where the two wetlands are in close proximity, subject to conditions that included submitting the replat and providing permits or documentation from approving authorities.

Applicant Joe Rick, who identified himself as the owner of the Lot 8 property, said his home is under construction and that approving the replat would reduce the potential density on Lot 7 by transferring 1.8 acres to Lot 8, moving a potential home site farther from his residence. "If the replat is approved, given 1.8 acres of current Lot 7 over to Lot 8, that pretty much keeps the density much, much less than if somebody would have built on that high home site location that's currently available on Lot 7," Rick said.

Staff noted that portions of the wetland buffer between the two wetlands would be reduced to as little as five feet on the west wetland and two feet on the east wetland only in the closings areas where the wetlands approach each other; all remaining wetland buffers would remain at the 25-foot standard set in the development text. Staff said no other departmental comments were outstanding and that, if approved, the applicant must submit a mylar for signatures and record the replat within 30 days of final signature as required by the code.

Commissioners conducted a brief deliberation and then voted to approve the replat with the two staff-recommended modifications. The motion passed on a roll call with all present commissioners voting yes.

The commission’s approval is a recommendation (where applicable) and the recorded mylar and any required permits from other agencies will be required before recording the new plat.