(Posted Aug. 19, 2014)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
Housing in West Jefferson consists of single family residences and apartments, but no condominiums. However, when the day comes that a developer wishes to build condos, the village will be ready,
The Planning and Zoning Commission has been developing regulations for construction of condos. Their ideas have taken form as a proposed new chapter of the village’s zoning code. The chapter is set for a public hearing at the Sept. 2 village council meeting that convenes at 7 p.m.
“We don’t have any condos in the village,” said Council President Ron Garver when he scheduled the public hearing. “But when and if we do get condos, we’ll be ready for them.”
Under the proposed minimum standards, each condo unit must be at least 1,500 square feet with a distance of 40 feet between units. Three units, either one- or two-story structures, would be permitted per acre. Each unit must have a two-car attached garage. Exteriors are to be brick, stone or “Hardy” plank siding with no exposed concrete block.
The proposal requires developers to put in concrete aprons with curbs. The aprons must be 26-feet wide, the same width as driveways from the street to the units.
A development can include entrance gates, posts, columns, walls or fences.
According to the proposal, a developer who wishes to build a condo community must first submit plans to the clerk of council. From there, the plans go to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
If the Planning and Zoning Commission disapproves the plans, the developer can appeal to the Common Pleas Court.
Approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission will send the plan forward to village council.
Along with guidelines for condos, the Planning and Zoning Commission also is proposing a new zoning code chapter for landscaping that features vegetation in any new development. Materials used in landscaping are identified as walls and fences, earth mounds, plants, trees, vines, and grass or ground cover.
Preservation and promotion of landscaping as a suitable and necessary aspect of land development are reasons behind the code addition. According to the proposal, a landscaping plan is required whenever a site plan is required.
Details about the condo and landscaping code proposals are available from Arnie Booth, West Jefferson’s building and code enforcement officer, or Dean Bollinger of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
