Hilliard BZA approves variance for 4-foot fence and outdoor patio at 3499 Main Street

The Hilliard Board of Zoning Appeals on June 22 approved a variance for a proposed outdoor patio area and fence at 3499 Main Street, allowing a four-foot aluminum/iron-style fence and landscaped screening to extend past the build-to line along Heritage Club Drive.

Staff said the 1.3-acre site sits on the northwest corner of Heritage Club Drive and Main Street and that the existing building is set back roughly 60 feet from Main Street and about 95 feet from Heritage Club Drive. Staff recommended granting the variance, finding the request “generally aligned with the spirit and intent of the zoning code,” that the variance would not be substantial and would not alter the essential character of the neighborhood, and that adjoining property owners would not suffer substantial detriment. Staff recommended approval with one condition.

Applicant Michael Ericalian, who identified his address as 3499 Main Street, told the board the space will be used for substance abuse and mental health day treatment and said the fence and screening are “just for privacy and then to help everybody stay where they’re supposed to be,” adding the area would be monitored by cameras and used for limited outdoor periods during the day.

Board members had no extended discussion. The board closed public comment and moved to approve the variance from the Hillyard Code provision cited in the staff report to permit the fence past the build-to line, adopting the staff-recommended condition. The chair stopped roll call after four affirmative votes were recorded; the motion carried.

The board’s approval allows the applicant to install the four-foot fence and arborvitae screening behind the build-to line on the Main Street frontage and 12 feet past the build-to line along Heritage Club Drive (14 feet past the build-to line when continuous vegetation is included), subject to the condition the board adopted.