Board postpones lot-line adjustment at 2367 Zollinger Road to Nov. 19 after debate over lot size and drainage

The Upper Arlington Board of Zoning and Planning on Nov. 5 postponed action on a proposed lot-line adjustment that would reduce 3151 Asbury Drive to about 6,900 square feet (below the 9,000 sq ft zoning minimum) by transferring a roughly 60-by-55-foot portion of 2367 Zollinger Road. The applicant and board debated options including moving the line back to 40 feet or keeping the applicant’s original 55-foot proposal.

Staff told the board the application had been continued from an October meeting and summarized alternatives the applicant had considered. Staff emphasized the board should consider variance criteria, including whether granting the request would create "special privileges" for one property (finding No. 9) or harm the essential character of the neighborhood (finding No. 4).

Applicant Bernie Sanchez (3151 Asbury Drive) described on-the-ground grading and drainage issues, saying parts of the area ‘‘just puddles and it's kind of a lot of mosquitoes’’ after rains and that neighbors had discussed grading and French drains to address standing water. Sanchez said he was willing to reduce the requested depth and told the board he would be comfortable with a 40-foot option if that helped reach agreement but ultimately asked to postpone to ensure a fuller board and additional information.

Board members debated neighborhood precedent (citing mid-20th-century lot splits and a 2022 transfer nearby), whether a reduced lot would be buildable in the future, and staff’s limits to approve adjustments that would create nonconforming lots. Given those unresolved concerns and the applicant’s request, the board moved and voted to postpone the application to the Nov. 19 BZAP meeting. The motion carried.