Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - March 19, 2026
Lakewood Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - March 19, 2026
The Board of Zoning Appeals of Lakewood, Ohio, met on March 19, 2026, at 11:45 AM to consider two variance requests for 1020 Parkside Drive. With three members present (Jillian Bellino, Angela Hare, Matt Markling) and two members excused (Jeffrey Piggott and Anthony Santiago), the board approved the minutes from the February 19, 2026 meeting and voted unanimously to grant both variances as proposed. No public comments were received.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the minutes from the February 19, 2026 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- None.
Discussion Items
- Docket 03-04-26 – 1020 Parkside Drive (Heather Davies, agent for Brian and Megan Cook): The applicant requested two variances:
- A height variance of approximately 8 feet for a proposed new detached garage (from existing 12.5 ft to proposed 20 ft at peak, with a midpoint height of 16 ft 8 in), and a footprint increase from 450 sq ft to 480 sq ft. The existing garage is non-conforming and too shallow to accommodate modern vehicles. The new garage would be oriented with its gable perpendicular to the neighbor's to reduce visual impact. The rear yard is shallow, limiting horizontal expansion. The property abuts Lakewood Park to the north, reducing the number of directly affected neighbors.
- A front yard setback variance of 2 ft 1 in to allow a roofed front porch with columns over an existing stoop.
- Board members expressed concerns about the increasing prevalence of large garages but acknowledged the practical difficulties of the site, including the undersized lot (8,190 sq ft vs. 9,000 sq ft minimum) and the deep front setback (36 ft). They noted that the garage height increase (which exceeds the 15 ft midpoint height limit by about 1 ft 8 in) was mitigated by the park adjacency and the modest square footage increase.
- The board's three members voted to approve both variances as proposed.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve both variances for 1020 Parkside Drive (docket 03-04-26) passed unanimously (3–0).
- The meeting was adjourned following the decision.
Meeting Transcript
Call to order the March 19th, 2026 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting for the City of Lakewood. Ms. Nocta, will you call the roll? Jillian Bellino. Here. Angela here. Yeah. Matt Mark Lane. Here. Jeffrey Piggott. Anthony Santiago. I will make a motion to excuse Mr. Santiago and Mr. Piggard. We hear a second. Second. All in favor? Aye. The second item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from the February 19th, 2026 meeting. Are there any comments? Hearing none, I will make a motion to approve the minutes from the February 19, 2026 meeting. All in favor? I'll second it. Oh, sorry, I'm sorry, I'm going really fast. Sorry. Mr. Markling has seconded. All in favor. I'm fast talker, I'm sorry. The next item on the agenda's opening remarks, Ms. Nocta. Welcome to the Board of Zoning Appeals. For a variance to be granted, the board must get sufficient information from your presentation to determine if your property meets the practical difficulty test. All documents included with an application to the board and any addendas, statements, maps, diagrams, sketches, letters, photographs, or other materials proffered to the board by any person shall be considered by the board prior to rendering its decision on the application. No permit shall be issued unless submitted plans conformed to those approved by the board. If modifications are made to the approved plans, a successive variance request must be filed and approved to account for the modification. For the record, please sign the form on the podium and state your name and address. This serves as an oath or affirmation that you will tell the truth before the board. We will now begin with the regular business of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Thank you, Miss Nocta. The next item on the agenda is docket number 03-04-26, 1020 Parkside Drive. You're welcome to come up and uh name, address, and relation to the property, and then go ahead and tell us about what you're presenting tonight. Okay. Um good evening. I'm Heather Davies, Davies Architecture. Um, my address or the address I'm presenting for. You can just go ahead and fill out your address on the phone. Okay. Okay. Um this is 1020 Park Parkside Drive in Lakewood.
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