Findlay Township Zoning Hearing Board approves variance for side‑yard above‑ground pool at 516 Meadow Lane

The Findlay Township Zoning Hearing Board on Jan. 21 voted unanimously to grant a variance permitting an above‑ground swimming pool to be installed in the side yard at 516 Meadow Lane in the Medium Density Residential District.

Amy Kovac, chair of the Zoning Hearing Board, moved to approve the request from Thomas Bennett, the applicant and resident of 516 Meadow Lane; the motion was seconded by Vice‑Chair Celeste Rosen and passed on a unanimous voice vote. The board entered four exhibits into the record prior to the vote: the variance application, two subdivision surveys, a Google map showing the property, and the staff review letter.

Brandon J. Stanick, assistant township manager and planning administrator, summarized his Jan. 12, 2026 review letter and noted that legal notices for the hearing were published Dec. 28, 2025 and Jan. 8, 2026, neighbor notification letters were sent Jan. 8, 2026, and a yard sign was posted Jan. 14, 2026. Stanick also corrected an item in his review that the plan does not show construction or activity in the floodway.

Thomas Bennett said he requested the variance because the rear yard slopes toward a sanitary easement and drains, making an in‑ground installation impractical; he said the proposed installation would be an above‑ground pool located inside an existing six‑foot privacy fence. "The reason for the variance request is the rear yard drops off with water drainage to a sanitary easement," Bennett stated.

Neighbors offered mixed reactions during the hearing. Mary Primis of 517 Meadow Lane said she "has no issue with the pool as long as it is behind the fence." By contrast, Lisa Jancel of 511 Meadow Lane said covenants in place when she bought her home had prohibited above‑ground pools and that she was displeased her own solution had been to install an in‑ground pool; she noted this would be the only above‑ground pool in the neighborhood. "There were covenants that did not allow above ground pools," Jancel said. Sarah Tegano of 512 Meadow Lane, participating by video call, expressed opposition and concern that original neighborhood standards were not being upheld.

Stanick told the board and neighbors the township does not enforce private covenants and that no documentation was presented demonstrating any covenants remain in force. Chair Kovac reiterated the board lacks authority over private covenants; she also noted the pool would be placed behind the existing fence and therefore would be largely out of view.

After entering the exhibits and hearing testimony, the board approved the variance to allow the construction and maintenance of an above‑ground pool fully in the side yard at 516 Meadow Lane. There were two affirmative votes, no negative votes and one board member absent. No additional public comments were offered and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.