Shawnee
Township Zoning Board of Appeals
2530 Fort Amanda Road Lima, Ohio 45804 (419) 991-8706 Board Members: Thomas Bowman, Chet Ebling,
Keaton Lehman, Earl Weigt, David Ryan Meeting of June 23, 2009 Vice Chairman David Ryan called the
meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Members present: Earl Weigt David Ryan Chet Ebling Mr. Ryan announced that
the purpose of the meeting was to hear the petition of Frank Caprilla and Misty Shelhammer for
a sign variance for their business, RJ Pets, 5350 West Breese Road, Lima, OH
45806. Per the Shawnee Township Zoning
Resolution, the sign for RJ Pets is limited to four square feet and must be
mounted on their building. The RJ Pets
sign is larger and is mounted by the RJ Pets driveway, on a chain link fence,
nearer to the road than their building. Michelle Baumeister,
attorney for the applicants, presented their application. Ms Baumeister
stated that the variance should be granted for two reasons: Business: Customers have trouble finding the
business. The building is far back from
the road. Safety:
New customers risk accident while they are looking for the business. Frank Caprilla
spoke in favor of their application. He
stated that other signs in the area are larger than four square feet and are
not attached to buildings, citing Perry’s Refrigeration and Lake Winona. (These signs are probably grandfathered under
previous zoning resolutions.) Diane Winborne
(neighbor to the East) spoke in favor of the sign, stating that it did not
block their view of traffic. Alexander and Ethel Hampshire
(neighbors to the West) spoke against the sign, stating that previous owner,
Rick Shelhammer, had told them that business would be
operated word-of-mouth. The Hampshires wake each day with dogs barking. If the present owners want to grow the
business, they should move someplace else.
Mr. And Mrs. Hampshire stated that the sign is in violation of the
Zoning Resolution. Ms Baumeister
noted that the area is zoned “Agricultural”.
In agricultural
areas, there can be noise as from horses and cows, not to mention noisy
tractors. Julie Shellhammer
(previous joint owner of RJ Pets) stated that the sign was a safety issue. It helps people find the business. It avoids customers being lost, turning
around in driveways, and slowing down to look. Board of Appeals member, Earl Weigt, noted that a new Comprehensive Land Use Plan being
considered for adoption by Shawnee Township may lead to many more rules on
signs. Mr. Weigt
noted that kennels should be located on, at least, five acres of land. He assumed that RJ Pets was grandfathered
under a previous Zoning Resolution. Mr. Caprilla
stated that the business has essentially stayed the same. There has been no particular effort to grow
the business. He expressed a willingness to compromise on the sign, if it would
help. No interest in compromise was expressed
by those in opposition to the variance application. A motion was made by Earl Weigt to approve the Caprilla/Shelhammer variance application as presented. Motion was seconded by David Ryan. Vote was unanimous: 3 – 0. Motion to adjourn was mad by Chet Ebling, seconded by David Ryan. Vote was unanimous: 3-0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM. Respectfully submitted, John R. Gosnell Zoning Inspector Shawnee Township
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