Stow City BZA unanimously approves two residential variances; Macaulay Road case tabled

With only three members present, Stow City’s Building and Zoning Appeals Board unanimously approved two residential variances March 10, 2025, and tabled a third case at the applicant’s request.

The board approved BZA2501 for owner-applicant Burrell Coben at 2174 Samira Road to allow a proposed addition and covered patio to have a front-yard setback of about 18 feet 6 inches instead of the 40 feet required by code. Staff described the project as a 232-square-foot first-floor addition plus an 84-square-foot covered patio entrance and showed a site plan indicating the addition on a 0.29-acre R3 residential corner lot. The variance was recorded as approved by a 3-0 roll call.

The board also approved PZA2502 for applicant Paul Zickel at 4542 Berryhill, a 0.38-acre R1 parcel, to permit a 144-square-foot (12-by-12) accessory structure to sit 4 feet from the principal structure instead of the 12 feet required under Section 11.43.07(a) of the city code. Staff noted the structure’s maximum height would be about 10 feet; the applicant said the shed will be used for lawn and garden equipment, snow tires and a bicycle. That motion passed on a 3-0 roll call.

At the applicant’s request, the board voted to table BZA2025-003671 (Macaulay Road) to allow the applicant time to revise materials. The board also tabled approval of the February 10, 2025 minutes and postponed a public-records/open-meetings training because the law director, Drew, was unavailable.

Because only three board members were present, the chair opened the meeting by reminding applicants that a positive vote requires unanimity of the members present and that applicants may request a continuance if they prefer to wait for a full board. Staff said follow-up on approvals and next steps on permitting would be handled through the city’s OpenGov system and by direct contact with applicants.

Votes at a glance

- BZA2501 (2174 Samira Road) — Request: variance to allow ~18'6" front setback for a 232-sq-ft addition and an 84-sq-ft covered patio; Code cited: Section 11.43.04 (setback requirement); Outcome: approved, roll call 3-0 (Mister Seifert — yes; Mister Urban — yes; Mister Miller — yes).

- PZA2502 (4542 Berryhill) — Request: variance to allow a 12x12 (144-sq-ft) accessory structure 4 feet from the principal structure instead of 12 feet; Code cited: Section 11.43.07(a) (accessory structures separation); Outcome: approved, roll call 3-0 (Mister Seifert — yes; Mister Urban — yes; Mister Miller — yes).

- BZA2025-003671 (Macaulay Road) — Applicant requested more time; Outcome: tabled, roll call 3-0.

Procedural notes and next steps

Staff said approvals are one step toward building permits; the building-permit office will not issue permits until all requirements are satisfied. For the Berryhill applicant staff said they would follow up in the next few days through OpenGov and by phone. The board noted that applicants could ask to delay action if they preferred a full board.

Ending

The board adjourned after agreeing to circulate proposed zoning-code updates and accessory-structure calculations to members before the next meeting and to reschedule the public-records training when the law director can attend.