The Sandusky Boards & Commissions approved a variance for 1228 West Osborne Street on a voice vote that recorded three affirmative votes, clearing the way for a three-lot subdivision and construction of three single-family homes under the Welcome Home Ohio program.

Planning staff told the panel the property is zoned R2F (two-family residential) and that the proposed subdivision and homes will require relief from the zoning code’s minimum lot-area and rear-yard setback standards. Staff said the site is currently vacant and that surrounding lots along Carr Street commonly fall short of today’s minimums; the proposed development, staff said, would better match the neighborhood’s residential character than the site’s prior high-density commercial building.

Erin Blair, City of Sandusky staff, described the Welcome Home Ohio grant, which the city used to propose construction of 14 single-family homes under an initial $3,500,000 award. "The grant requires that those homes are sold to households at 80% of area median income or lower," Blair said, and that the properties carry deed restrictions for 20 years that require owner-occupancy and limit renting. Blair said buyers must secure their own financing and commit to primary occupancy for five years. She added the program expects to sell houses at a lower price point than construction cost — "homes are gonna cost about $250,000 to build and we're gonna be selling them at a $150,000 sale price approximate," she said — and said the city hopes to expand beyond the initial 14 units to as many as about 30 if demand and additional funding allow.

Mark W. Dodd, representing Community Building Partners and a development partner for the project, said the state had funded $263,000,000 statewide for the Welcome Home Ohio effort and that Sandusky’s portion was the $3.5 million grant. Dodd said the units will be modular, built to conventional-quality standards, placed on block foundations with full basements, and that initial models are about 1,306 square feet with two stories and two bathrooms. "When those foundations are in, the modules are ready to come. So it's a time savings more than anything," Dodd said.

Staff outlined the specific variances: the zoning code’s 30% standard produces a required rear-yard setback of 27 feet 9 inches; the applicant is requesting a 13-foot 3-inch rear-yard setback (relief of about 14 feet 6 inches). The subdivision would create three lots smaller than the R2F minimum area of 4,300 square feet: Lot A would need 72 square feet of relief, Lot B 37 square feet, and Lot C 428 square feet. Staff recommended approval, noting the proposed built condition would fit the existing neighborhood, and suggested as a condition that all required building, engineering and planning permits be obtained before construction.

During public discussion the developer agreed to balance Lots B and C so each would be about 4,067 square feet if the commission preferred; the commission added that balancing as part of the motion. Blair announced an information session for prospective buyers on Saturday, Jan. 25 at a local bank, and directed interested residents to the city’s project web page for details.

A board member moved to accept staff recommendations and approve the variances; another member seconded. The roll call recorded votes of "Yes" from Chair John Fike, Bill Siemens and Blake Harris. The motion carried and the variance was approved.

The commission’s approval is limited to the zoning relief described on the record; staff emphasized that all applicable permits and inspections must be obtained before construction begins and that the Welcome Home Ohio deed restrictions and occupancy requirements apply to future sales.

The commission chair closed the item and noted more variances tied to the city’s Welcome Home Ohio work will appear at future meetings as additional sites are brought forward.