Board approves new house at 1960 Hillside Drive with fireplace variance; pool decking reduced

The Upper Arlington Board of Zoning and Planning on Feb. 19 approved variance application 0725 for 1960 Hillside Drive to permit demolition of the existing residence and construction of a new two‑story, modern home that exceeds the city’s neighborhood compatibility standard for modern houses, and to permit a front‑yard fireplace feature that would otherwise be prohibited in the Hillside Drive front area.

Planning staff told the board the proposed main house would have a two‑story portion about 26 feet in height, with a one‑story garage element at roughly 12 feet, and a pool sited in compliance with the 10‑foot pool setback. The requested variance pertained chiefly to neighborhood compatibility for the modern design and to pool hardscape—staff said the pool itself meets the 10‑foot setback but adjacent hardscape (decking) would encroach. The applicant said the hardscape along the northwest side functions as egress and fire access and agreed to consider an alternative material (for example, grass pavers) and to remove a narrow sliver of decking so the encroaching portion would be eliminated.

Staff’s third‑party architect reviewed the plans and was comfortable with the proposed materials, contingent on appropriate stone selection. A neighbor submitted a letter and spoke to concerns about pool proximity and potential overlooking; the homeowner said neighbors met on site and agreed on color and low‑grade, manually switched path lighting. The board voted to approve the variances (findings numbers 8 and 4 were cited), with the applicant to proceed with the revised hardscape detail discussed during the meeting.