Landmarks commission gives conceptual sign-off, recommends setback variance for renovation at 41–43 West Columbus

The Canal Winchester Landmarks Commission on June 22 gave conceptual approval for a large renovation at 41–43 West Columbus Street and recommended a variance that would reduce the required south side-yard setback from 5 feet to 1 foot 7 inches, clearing a key procedural hurdle for the applicant’s plan to add a rear garage and restore historic fabric.

Staff told commissioners that a 2011 survey and recent site plans showed the property had been reconfigured when an adjacent garage parcel was split off, and that the proposed garage addition would sit roughly 1 foot 7 inches from the southern property line rather than the 5 feet required by code. The commission’s recommendation is advisory to the Planning and Zoning Commission and does not itself change the zoning rules.

Why it matters: the project would convert a duplex back to a single-family residence, remove a failing rear addition and add a two-car garage while aiming to restore historic materials and features on the main house. Because the property is in Old Town where lots are compact and many garages sit close to property lines, commissioners said the request fits a local pattern but still triggers review because of the reduced setback.

Applicant Kevin Ilitch described the condition of the existing addition and the design intent. “We’re looking to remove that old addition in the rear and turn the property into a single family residence and add square footage also adding a 2 car garage,” he said, summarizing the proposal and the rationale for placing the garage on the Liberty Street side. Staff and the applicant also discussed structural and foundation issues uncovered during demolition, including historic stone foundation and areas of rot that must be repaired before finish work.

The commission made four limited approvals/decisions that evening: (1) a conceptual approval of the overall direction of the project, to allow more detailed design work to proceed; (2) a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a variance to reduce the south side-yard setback from 5 feet to 1 foot 7 inches, based on the concept plans and the site context; (3) approval for the main two-story portion of the existing house to be reroofed in standing‑seam metal (Tenor’s Gray) with the remainder of the roof transitioning to graphite-colored asphalt shingles; and (4) permission for limited exploratory removal of the vinyl/aluminum skirting at the foundation to assess the original limestone and the condition underneath.

Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that many outstanding details — precise trim, window profiles, and final siding/trim choices — will return to the commission for further review. Staff said the variance application will require a current survey that overlays the proposed addition with actual property lines, a written justification for the variance, and notifications to adjoining property owners.

The motion to approve the conceptual direction with the conditions above passed on a roll-call vote (seven commissioners voting yes). Commissioners asked the applicant to seek neighbor agreement where possible before the Board of Zoning Appeals and to submit clear contractor specifications for structural and roofing work.

What’s next: the applicant plans to submit the variance application and more detailed materials for subsequent review. The commission noted that, if Planning and Zoning or the Board of Zoning Appeals declines the variance, the applicant will need to adjust the design. The commission’s recommendation and the staff packet will accompany the variance application to Planning and Zoning.