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Oakwood, Ohio
December 12, 2024

The Board of Zoning Appeals of the city of Oakwood met in regular session at 4:30 p.m., in the council chambers of the City of Oakwood, 30 Park Avenue, Oakwood, Ohio 45419. Mr. Nick Endsley presided and the Clerk, Ms. Lori Stacel recorded.

Upon call of the roll, the following members of the Board responded to their names:

MR. NICK ENDSLEY PRESENT
MR. DONALD O’CONNOR PRESENT
MS. CHRISTINE YANKEL PRESENT
MR. PAUL KAVANAUGH ABSENT
MRS. SAMANTHA ELDER ABSENT

The following officers of the city were present:

  • Mr. Robert F. Jacques, City Attorney
  • Mr. Ethan M. Kroger, Planning & Zoning Manager
  • Ms. Lori Stacel, Clerk of Council

The following visitors registered:

  • Rick Sullivan, Appellant, 2331 Far Hills Investments LLC

Mr. Endsley called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. He noted the Board will need to appoint a Chair and Vice Chair. Mr. O’Connor made a motion, seconded by Ms. Yankel, to appoint Mr. Endsley as Chair. The motions passed unanimously. He suggested that the voting of Vice Chair and approval of the minutes from the January 11, 2024 and June 13, 2024 meetings should be deferred to the next meeting since two of the three board members are absent.

Mr. Endsley explained that the only agenda item is Application #24-3 to consider an appeal of the Building Commissioner’s denial of a sign permit application filed by 2331 Far Hills Investments, LLC. The subject property is located at 2331 Far Hills Avenue.

Mr. Jacques provided an overview of the appeal process and swore in those giving testimony.

Mr. Endsley invited the Appellant to present their application.

Mr. Rick Sullivan, Appellant, 2331 Far Hills Investments LLC, shared that he would like to install a wall sign at 2331 Far Hills Avenue to provide a list of businesses located within the building. He stated that the Zoning Code states that every business tenant gets a primary and secondary wall sign. The proposed sign uses swappable nameplates instead of individually swapped letters so it should not be considered a changeable copy sign or a directory sign.

Mr. Endsley invited the Appellee to address the Board.

Mr. Kroger shared that the proposed sign was denied for two reasons. First, it is a changeable copy sign but does not meet the location or lettering requirements of Section 1201.06(C)(1). Swappable nameplates are a form of changeable copy. Second, it is a directory sign that exceeds the maximum size limits and placement requirements under Section 1201.07(B)(3)(b)(2) of the Zoning Code.