Schools get OK for new central office

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Variances for the Big Walnut School District’s new central office building at 110 Tippitt Court in Sunbury were approved recently by Sunbury’s planning and zoning commission.

The district, represented by Michael Lusk of Lusk Architecture, said the district is adding a 2,000 square-foot meeting room to the west side of the former church building, and increasing parking spaces from 21 to 34.

The project cost is $750,000.

Interior renovations are scheduled to begin later this month. The building addition will be completed following interior renovations.

Lusk asked for setback variances on the north and west sides of the building. He said the current setback is 10 feet, but he was unable to find documentation setting that distance.

“If it’s 10 feet, then we do need a variance,” Lusk said. “We would like a rear setback 4 feet and 1 inch off the property line, and a side setback 5 feet and 11 inches off the line.”

Lusk said there is a six-foot wood fence at the rear of the property, and the parking garage of a multi-family unit sits beyond the fence. He also said the BST&G Fire District has said the site contains adequate room for emergency vehicle access and turnaround.

“Zoning code says the site requires 10-foot by 20-foot parking spaces; we’re asking for 9-foot by 18-foot,” Lusk said.

Village Solicitor David Brehm said members of the zoning commission could not act on the parking space size reduction request because it was not specified on the original application. Brehm said that request would require another application, public notification and another public hearing at a later date.

During discussion following the public hearing, commission members agreed that the setback variances could be granted, considering there is only apartment parking to the north and a vacant commercial lot to the west.

Because the application is for the renovation of an existing building, it does not require Village Council approval.

By Lenny C. Lepola

For The Gazette

Lenny C. Lepola can be reached at 614-266-6093. Email: [email protected].

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