Bexley commission approves landscape plan for North Columbia house with conditions

The Bexley Tree and Public Gardens Commission on a routine agenda item approved a landscape plan for a large house project on North Columbia, with conditions on planting standards, timing and screening.

The commission’s approval requires that “all plantings of trees and shrubbery be in conformance with Ohio Nursery Association standards,” that peripheral plantings be installed “as soon as practical within the construction process,” and that if the homeowner does not replace a deteriorated fence the homeowner must present an alternate screening solution to the commission’s landscape consultant. The motion was made by Commissioner Jim Wilson and seconded by Linda Zubnick; the motion carried with no opposition recorded.

The plan submitted by architect John Beahall and landscape designer Laurie Botkins (Oakland Nursery) removes a former circular driveway and replaces earlier hardscape with additional greenspace and a new planting palette. Architect John Beahall summarized the project’s intent, saying the redesign “is increasing the green, decreasing the hard surface cover and increasing the amount of greenscape we have on this lot,” and described the property’s history as former estate lots that had grown over time.

Laurie Botkins said the plan keeps several large, viable trees identified by the project arborist and proposes 71 new trees to replace about 69 removed specimens and volunteers. Botkins said an arborist from Russell Tree Service inspected the site and that the design intentionally retains a sugar maple at the street and several large specimens while removing trees judged to be hazardous. “Any trees that we felt…were potentially hazards in the future, we’re definitely going to ask your permission to remove,” she said.

Neighbors raised concerns about screening and a failing fence along the north property line. Neighbor John Warchanski, whose property abuts the site, said he was “not necessarily in opposition or in support” but asked the commission to consider fence quality, topography differences affecting privacy and pool safety. Architect Beahall said the homeowner understands the fence needs replacement and that the project team had discussed options such as brick columns with wood infill to tie into existing walls.

Commissioners pressed for planting and installation details during questions. Botkins told the commission the project’s planting list shows removal of 69 inches-caliper of tree material and proposes 71 trees in replacement, including canopy specimens such as three red oaks. She confirmed Oakland Nursery follows an industry standard one-year warranty on plantings and said she would pursue replacements if specimens failed beyond initial transplant stress.

Commission staff said construction activity has already begun on the lot and staff reiterated that tree-protection measures and curb/brick protections are permit conditions. Matt Klingler, a city staff reviewer, said demolition permits currently do not carry the same checklist language as the tree-ordinance provision (Bexley Code §10/26.16) and that staff will add the language from the ordinance to demolition permit materials going forward.

The commission attached the Ohio Nursery Association standard and the replacement/timing and screening conditions to its approval. Staff said follow-up inspections and the project’s permit file will document compliance.

The commission’s approval concludes the commission’s review; other city reviews such as BZAP or zoning or final building permits remain as required under city processes.