Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Home topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board approves variance for four-person community home despite neighbor concerns
Summary
The Village of Valley View Planning Board approved a variance to allow a four-person community home at 13260 Schreiber Rd.; neighbors raised zoning and safety concerns while county officials and the applicant described licensing, screening and support services under the Fair Housing Act framework.
The Village of Valley View Planning Board on Sept. 16 approved a variance to allow a community home at 13260 Schreiber Rd. that will house no more than four residents.
North Coast Community Homes COO Nick Stroup and architect Eric Schneider presented the proposal alongside Jennifer Kryznowek of the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (BoDD). Kryznowek told the board the county places residents after an assessment and supplies trained aides, mandatory background checks and certifications. "Our aides go through background checks, are searched against five different registries, and get drug tested," Kryznowek said, adding staff must carry required medication certifications when needed.
Neighboring homeowners Dennis and Barbara Teetzel opposed the variance in a prepared statement, arguing the property sits in a Country Home zoning district and saying the variance would "impact the sanctity and the character of our neighborhood" and could depress property values. "I haven't been sleeping much," Mrs. Teetzel said, citing safety concerns while her husband is at work.
Solicitor David Lambros read from federal law during the hearing, citing the Fair Housing Act and noting courts have limited local restrictions that effectively exclude unrelated individuals living together: "The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination, housing practices, included the imposition of occupancy standards that are arbitrary, or that disadvantage nontraditional family structures," he read.
Board members asked about supervision, resident selection and parking. Kryznowek and Stroup said residency decisions are made through the BoDD placement process; BoDD staff prepare individualized support plans that determine staffing levels, which may range from a few daytime hours to 24/7 coverage depending on assessed needs. Stroup said North Coast manages the property and provides maintenance and tenancy oversight. The applicant agreed to expanded driveway parking and snow-removal contracts; the architect said three cars could be accommodated behind the home and up to five in a straight-line driveway if widened.
After discussion, the board voted 3–2 to approve the variance (Aye: Jakubczak, Johnston, March; Nay: White, Bertovich). Mayor Matthew March and Councilwoman Julie Jakubczak voted with the majority.
What happens next: the variance allows the community home to proceed, but final site and building permits, driveway adjustments and any required inspections and certifications remain subject to standard plan review and condition compliance. The board recorded neighbor objections and noted the legal constraints described by the Solicitor during its deliberation.
