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Valley View Planning Board approves multiple variances, sets conditional follow-ups
Summary
At its Oct. 22 meeting the Village of Valley View Planning Board approved a fence height variance, three sign/window variances, and two topography variances; several approvals are conditional and require return appearances or engineering sign‑offs.
The Village of Valley View Planning Board voted Oct. 22 to approve several variances and topography requests, while scheduling follow-up reviews for compliance and engineering certification.
During the caucus portion, property owner Linda Walcher asked for more time to address dilapidated structures at 6868 Hathaway Road; she told the board that “we cleaned up the lean‑to and the barnyard” but remain unable to fund removal of an old silo. Mayor Matt March and staff agreed to re‑evaluate the property after additional progress.
The board approved a 4‑foot fence height variance for 12600 Tinkers Creek Road (requested by property owner Mike Connors) following discussion about engineering requirements for fences taller than seven feet. Connors said he wanted a privacy screen along about 100 feet of his property and would defer structural details to his contractor; the board made the variance conditional on engineer approval of footers and materials.
Automotive Customs owner Manny McDonald received three conditional sign variances for 5440 Warner Road — for a banner, for portable signs, and for window decals that exceed the 33‑1/3 percent window coverage limit. McDonald told the board his shop is set back from the road and “business has declined since I was told to remove the sign over the garage.” The board approved all three sign variances with the condition that McDonald return for review in 12 months.
The board approved Enbridge’s request for a 30‑foot variance in the preserved buffer at 13604 Alexander Road to allow channel and bank stabilization work. Neighbors Paul Buza and Mark Shafer raised concerns about tree removal, access across multiple properties and compensation; Law Director Dave Lambros and Engineer Todd Sciano clarified that the variance is a planning approval only and that any access across private property, compensation and permit requirements must be resolved privately and through the building‑permit process.
Kurtz Brothers’ request for alterations to topography at 5603 Canal Road (Bridgeview site) was approved conditionally for two years. Kurtz representative Matt Malone said three of six planned stormwater basins are complete and the company expects to finalize plans and install remaining basins soon. Fire Chief Ken Papesh requested a formal inventory/management plan after a recent raw‑stock palette fire; Malone agreed to submit a plan to the fire chief.
Votes at a glance: moved/second and roll calls recorded in the official minutes — minutes approval (moved Johnston, seconded Bertovich; unanimous vote), fence variance at 12600 Tinkers Creek (moved White, seconded Bertovich; unanimous), three sign/window variances for 5440 Warner Rd. (each approved with a 12‑month conditional review; motions moved and seconded as recorded), Enbridge buffer/topography variances (moved Bertovich, seconded White; unanimous), and Kurtz Bridgeview topography alteration (moved Bertovich, seconded White; unanimous). The board set the next meeting for Nov. 12, 2024.
The board made clear that approvals tied to engineering (e.g., fence footers for over‑seven‑foot fences) or private property access (Enbridge easement work) do not remove the need for building permits or private agreements between landowners and utilities. The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
