Board approves variance for accessory structure at 1820 Plaza Road

The Vermilion Board of Zoning Appeals voted June 24 to grant a variance that will allow an accessory structure at 1820 Plaza Road to be larger, taller and closer to the front lot line than zoning rules normally permit.

Mark Alfond Sr., who said he lives at 1820 Plaza Road, told the board he had moved the structure slightly forward because of a persistent wet spot on the property and asked the board’s permission to place what he described as a “coal bar” on the lot. He said he had site drawings and photos indicating a damaged or incomplete storm sewer that was routing water across the yard toward a nearby creek.

The motion, moved by the chair and seconded, cited zoning code provisions and proposed the following relief: increase the maximum accessory-structure square footage from 320 to 1,200 (an 880-square-foot variance), raise the maximum height from 12 feet to 16 feet (a 4-foot variance), and reduce the required front-yard setback from 50 feet to 33 feet 2 inches (a variance of 16 feet 10 inches). After brief questions about the site and drainage, the board approved the motion with three affirmative votes.

The board noted that each request is judged on its own merits and reminded applicants of the right to reapply with a modified proposal or to appeal to the county court of common pleas. Mr. Alfond was told to proceed with the required building permit process and to provide any documentation about the drainage issue to the appropriate city department as needed.

The action was procedural; there were no conditions listed in the board’s motion beyond the relief spelled out in the motion. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 22 at 6 p.m.