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Cleveland Planning Commission unanimously backs three variance recommendations and reappoints chair
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting, the Cleveland Planning Commission voted to forward three variance recommendations to the mayor and board — a 3‑foot side‑yard setback variance, two on‑street parking spaces for a downtown business, and a minimum lot‑width variance — and reappointed John Aguzzi chair and Jordan Goins vice chair.
The Cleveland Planning Commission on Jan. 15 unanimously approved recommendations to the mayor and board for three separate variances and reappointed its leadership.
Chair John Aguzzi presided over the meeting, which opened at 4:00 p.m. and recorded eight members present and one absence. The commission first approved the minutes from its Dec. 18, 2025 meeting after a motion by Commissioner David Griffith and a second from Brenett Haynes.
On a staff application from Michael and Vickie Whitten, the commission considered a request for a 3‑foot side‑yard setback variance to Article 6, Section 608 to build a detached garage at 314 Ronaldman Road. The R‑6 standard cited in the application requires accessory structures to be set back 5 feet from property lines; the Whittens requested the structure be allowed 3 feet from the line. Commissioner Robert Heslep recused himself from the discussion and vote because of a stated conflict of interest. Jordan Goins moved to approve forwarding a recommendation to the mayor and board; John Cox seconded and the motion passed with no opposition among the voting commissioners. The commission’s action is a recommendation; final approval rests with the mayor and board.
Business owner Ashley F. Laurenzo appealed Land Development Ordinance Section 801.4 to permit on‑street parking at 109 S. Pearman and asked for a variance if the appeal were denied. Commissioner David Griffith moved to grant a variance allowing two on‑street parking spaces based on traffic‑flow considerations, conditioned on the driveway being brought up to code. Lisa Cooley seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
In officer elections, the commission reappointed John Aguzzi as chair (motion by Jordan Goins, seconded by Lisa Cooley) and reappointed Jordan Goins as vice chair (motion by David Griffith, seconded by Edwin Montgomery); both motions carried with no opposition.
Finally, the commission reviewed an application from Meg McGee seeking a minimum lot‑width variance under Article 6, Section 609 to construct a new home at 405 Avery Street in the R‑2 zoning district, which requires an 80‑foot minimum width. Commissioner David Griffith moved to forward a recommendation to the mayor and board; John Cox seconded and the motion passed with no opposition.
With no further business, the commission adjourned. All four substantive items were forwarded as recommendations to the mayor and board for their review and any final action.
