The Sandusky Boards & Commissions on April 3 approved four zoning variances for residential properties and tabled a separate agenda item until the board's April 17 meeting.

Staff told the board the requested variances would allow single-family houses, a corner-lot fence and a lakeside cabana to be built consistent with the surrounding neighborhood, and recommended approval in each case provided applicants obtain all required permits. The board took each item in turn, heard brief public comment on three requests and voted on motions brought by members.

Staff presentation and recommendation
Mr. Panas, planning staff, presented each application and concluded that the proposed work would meet other zoning requirements. For the cabana at 1415 Cedar Point Road, planning staff noted that a floodplain development permit and flood insurance are required. For the 528 East Market (Marcus) Street parcel, staff noted nearby new homes had been granted 15-foot front setbacks and said the variance would match that existing pattern.

Public comment and applicant statements
Applicants and residents spoke in support of three items. Erwin Hines, speaking for his daughter Taylor Hines, described the plan for a new home at 329 Mick Street and said the family looked forward to working with the city. Clayton Wimmer, the applicant for 914 South Meadow Drive, said he and his fiancée sought privacy for their backyard. Architect Rick Jazady, representing owners Herb and Robin Gilliam, described the proposed 12-by-24-foot cabana and new concrete steps at 1415 Cedar Point Road and said the steps would not extend into the public right of way.

Key conditions and technical notes
All approvals were subject to the standard condition that applicants obtain all applicable building, engineering and other permits before beginning construction. The fence variance at 914 South Meadow Drive included a specific condition: the east–west fence must be set back 20 feet from the Cold Creek Boulevard sidewalk, a condition staff said reflected an earlier agreement with the applicant to protect sight lines. Planning staff reiterated that the cabana site will remain subject to floodplain permitting and flood insurance requirements.

Votes at a glance
- 329 Mick Street (variance to zoning code section 1,129.14) — Requested rear-yard setback of about 9.5 feet where 30 feet is required. Motion to approve carried; recorded yes votes: John Fike, Blake Harris, William Siemens. Outcome: approved. Condition: all applicable permits obtained prior to construction.

- Tabled item (address not specified in record) — Board member indicated a conflict that reduced voting membership; item was tabled to the April 17 meeting. Recorded yes votes to table: William Siemens, Blake Harris, John Fike. Outcome: tabled to April 17; applicant notified.

- 528 East Market (listed in record as 528 East Marcus Street; variance to zoning code section 112914) — Requested 15-foot front-yard setback where 25 feet is required. Motion to approve carried; recorded yes votes: Blake Harris, John Fike, William Siemens. Outcome: approved. Condition: all applicable permits obtained prior to construction.

- 914 South Meadow Drive (variance to zoning code section 11 45.17) — Requested a 6-foot fence in the side yard where 4 feet is the maximum. Motion to approve carried; recorded yes votes: William Siemens, Blake Harris, John Fike. Outcome: approved. Conditions: all applicable permits; east–west fence set back 20 feet from sidewalk on Cold Creek Boulevard.

- 1415 Cedar Point Road (variance to zoning code section 11 45.15) — Requested to place a 12-by-24-foot accessory cabana in the front yard where accessory structures are not permitted to project into the front yard. Motion to approve carried; recorded yes votes: John Fike, Blake Harris, William Siemens. Outcome: approved. Conditions: all applicable permits; floodplain development permit and flood insurance required.

What this means locally
The approvals permit several property owners to build or alter structures that differ from the strict yard and fence rules in the zoning code. The board and staff framed the actions as adjustments that keep new construction consistent with surrounding development patterns while requiring standard permitting and, where relevant, floodplain compliance. One item was postponed because of a board member conflict; the board said the applicant had been notified that the item will return April 17.

The meeting adjourned after board members noted other items likely for future agendas, including additional fence and cabana requests on Cedar Point Road.