The Sandusky Boards & Commissions approved a variance allowing construction of a single-family home through the Welcome Home Ohio program at 1704 Buchanan Street.

Staff described the lot as RMF multifamily residential on the edge of the MacArthur Park neighborhood and said the requested rear-yard variance (proposed rear yard 16 feet vs. code’s 29 feet per Section 11 29.14) would allow the house to match the neighborhood footprint. Staff recommended approval conditioned on obtaining all applicable building, engineering and other permits.

Joe Ritchie of Community Building Partners / Welcome Home Great Lakes, the property owner for the sale, told the board the program requires the initial buyer to occupy the house for five years and carries a 20-year restrictive covenant to preserve long-term affordability. Ritchie said the design includes a first-floor bedroom and bath to improve accessibility and that the first-floor extension (about 55 feet deep) drives the need for the rear-yard variance.

Ritchie provided affordability and financing details: the home buyer’s share is $160,000; the total house price is about $260,000; a state grant contributes roughly $100,000; monthly mortgage/taxes/insurance were estimated around $1,000; and participating lenders, including Savista Bank, provide construction and permanent financing. Ritchie said eligible buyers must meet income requirements approximately between 50% and 80% of area median income.

A board member moved to approve the variance and another seconded; roll call votes recorded 'Yes' from Dan Delahunt, Kevin Zier and William Siemens, and the motion carried. Staff reiterated that all permits and approvals must be secured prior to construction, and the standard condition was included in the approval.