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The Board of Zoning Appeals (“Board”) met on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the 1897 Room,
104 E. Main St, Lancaster, Ohio.
Members present were Rebecca Anderson, Tom James, Jim Edwards, Melody Bobbitt and Tim Oatney.
Staff present were Stephanie Hall, Law Director, Don McDaniel, Mayor, Carrie Woody Service Safety
Director, Andrew Lundell, Zoning Inspector, Chasilyn Carter, City Planner, Kevin Funk, Zoning Inspector
and Kendra Brown, Administrative Assistant.
Chairman Mr. Oatney called the meeting to order and explained the procedures of the meeting. Mr.
Oatney also advised that anyone addressing the Board would be sworn in before speaking. All those
wishing to speak were sworn in.
Mr. Oatney read the Notice of Appellate Rights to all attendees.
Ms. Bobbitt made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 8, 2025, meeting; Mr. Edwards
seconded.
The members voted to unanimously accept the minutes as provided.
BZA Case No. 778
Brett Rogers of Realty Link, LLC has applied for two Special Exceptions and an Area Variance for the
property located at 1736 North Memorial Drive, parcel #0532148400 and 0532147600. The property is
currently zoned CG- Commercial General District. Mr. Rogers represents Bojangles, which wishes to
demolish the existing structure on the property and construct a drive-through fast-food restaurant with
an outdoor dining area. LCO § 1143.12(a) requires a Special Exception to be granted for a drive-through
uses in CG Districts, LCO § 1125.03 requires a Special Exception to be granted for an Outdoor Service
Facility in CG Districts, and LCO § 1147.03(d)(7) requires that single-story buildings be constructed with a
pitched roof in CG Districts.
Mr. Rogers is requesting that the Board grant a Special Exception for a Drive-Through use in a CG
District, a Special Exception for an Outdoor Service Facility in a CG District, and an Area Variance for a
single-story, flat roofed building in a CG District.
Mr. Judd Nash, representing Bojangles, began his case by giving a brief description detailing the
Bojangles building and parking area. Mr. Nash stated that there was a traffic study completed and
submitted to the Engineer’s office. Discussion was held on the stacking requirements for the drive
through concluding a maximum allowance of 9 vehicles.
There were no communications nor objections from the City, contingent on the Engineer’s office
approving the traffic study.
There was no one in the audience for or against granting the requested action.
Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve the Use Variance and the Special Exception for BZA case #778
LCO1143.12(a) special exception for drive-through use in CG; LCO1125.03 SE for outdoor service
facility in GC and an Area Variance for a flat roofed building in a CG district. Subject to the following

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conditions: The developer must comply with the completed traffic study and any requirements of the
Engineering Department; Ms. Anderson seconded the motion.
The members voted unanimously by roll call to grant the Special Exception and the Use Variance and
signed an entry stating the same.
BZA Case No. 779
Deena Parks has applied for a Use Variance for her property located at 715 North Broad Street, parcel
#0532054300. The property is currently zoned RT - Residential Transitional District. Ms. Parks recently
purchased the property and wishes to modify one of the existing detached accessory structures as an
apartment for a family member. The structure in question has existed on the property since at least
1964 and has been previously utilized as a dwelling unit. At the time of the 2023 zoning code update,
the structure was not utilized for dwelling purposes, and as such is considered voluntarily discontinued
pursuant to LCO § 1153.07. LCO § 1148.0l(c) prohibits detached accessory dwelling units in all districts.
Ms. Parks requests that the Board grant a Use Variance for a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit in an RT
District.
Mr. Jesse Parks, Deena Park’s husband, began his case by detailing the apartment, Mother-in-law suite,
located in the back of the property. The apartment hasn’t been occupied for a few years but there are
separate utilities for the 715 N Broad St Rear. They are renovating the apartment for his mother-in-law
to move in as soon as it’s ready, and it should be in about six weeks.
There were no communications nor objections from the City.
There was no one in the audience for or against granting the requested action.
Ms. Bobbitt made a motion to approve the LCO § 1147.01(c) Use Variance for a detached accessory
dwelling unit in an RT district; Mr. James seconded the motion.
The members voted unanimously by roll call to grant the Use Variance and signed an entry stating the
same.
BZA Case No. 780
Kevin Kelroy of LaMacchia Group has applied for a Use Variance and a Special Exception for the property
located at 1560 East Main Street, parcel #0535005900. The property is currently zoned MHC - Mobile
Home Community District. Ohio University Credit Union (OUCU) wishes to install an Interactive Teller
Machine (ITM) on the property, with a subsequent drive-through lane. LCO § 1125.02 prohibits
Automobile Oriented Uses in MHC Districts, however, the property is currently in the process of being
rezoned from MHC to Commercial General District (CG), in which the Bank, with Automobile Oriented
Use is permitted with the granting of a Special Exception. The proposed site plan fully complies with CG
District development standards for setbacks and screening. LCO § 1143.12 requires that a Special
Exception be granted for a drive through, with a minimum of three stacking spaces for Bank and ATM
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Mr. Kelroy is requesting that the Board grant a Special Exception for a Bank, with Automobile Oriented
Use in a CG District.
Mr. Rob Beiter from Crussin Walters Engineers, began his case detailing installation of an Interactive
Teller Machine (ITM). This is similar to an ATM but will have a remote teller screen. They will be adding
grass areas and landscaping around the drive-through area.
This parcel is currently in the process of being rezoned to (CG) Commercial General. The development
standards that were submitted with the application do comply with the CG standards.
There were no communications nor objections from the City.
There was no one in the audience for or against granting the requested action.
Mr. James made a motion to approve the LCO 1143.12 Special Exception for a bank with an
automobile-oriented use in a CG District: subject to the property being rezoned to a CG District first.
Ms. Anderson seconded the motion.
The members voted unanimously by roll call to grant the Special Exception and signed an entry stating
the same.
BZA Case No. 782
Drew Miller of Arbor Homes has applied for an Area Variance for the property located at 0 Rainbow
Drive, parcel #0534162500. The property is currently zoned R-MD -Residential, Medium Density District.
Mr. Miller represents Arbor Homes, which is in the process of establishing a subdivision on the
aforementioned parcel, on lots which are to be a mixture of 40' and 50' of frontage. Arbor's Arrival
series of home designs utilizes a smaller building footprint that integrates the garage into the front
elevation of the structure. Renderings and dimensions of the home designs have been included with the
variance application. LCO § 1147.03(c)(5) requires garages totaling 18 feet or less to not make up more
than 42% of the linear distance of the front elevation of single-family residential structures.
Mr. Miller is requesting that the Board grant an Area Variance for relief from the garage door
measurement requirements in an R-MD District.
Mr. Drew Miller with Arbor Homes began the case by detailing Arbor’s desire to offer affordable homes,
leading to the development of the Arrival Series of homes for the 40’-50’ lots in this development. Mr.
Miller asked for a variance for the garage architectural standard to increase it to 53.3% from 42%. Mr.
Miller went on to discuss more details of the intended homes for this development stating that most
would be starting at $225,000 – $245,000. These houses are a little narrower, on slab, and are 1500 –
2200 sq ft homes. There are about 170 lots in the development.
There was no outside communication.
Mr. Andrew Lundell clarified for the Board that the vote was limited solely to the garage architectural
requirements and did not constitute approval of the subdivision, the number of lots, any lot width
variances, or authorization to begin site work. These items are anticipated to be considered by the
Planning Commission at its February meeting.

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Mr. Lundell stated the City requests that approval be limited to lots within the Willow Creek Subdivision,
contingent upon Planning Commission approval, and applicable only to the Arbor Homes Arrival product
line.
There were members of the audience for and against granting the requested action.
Ms. Linda McCormick of 2035 Lancaster-Thornville Rd is concerned about the overcrowding of the land
with 40’ lots and only being able to see garages instead of homes.
Mr. Andrew Lundell clarified that the zoning standards are based on the size of the home not the lot
size.
Ms. Donna Ruark of 2178 Lancaster-Thornville Rd is concerned about the zero lot line homes, but Mr.
Miller stated that there is a 5’ setback from the lot line.
Ms. Sarah Bird of 2294 Rainbow Dr NE is concerned about the increased traffic.
Ms. Stephanie Bosco with the City Economic Development Director stated these will be homes the
community can afford. They will be working with the state and city on the roads. Fairfield County
recently finished a housing study and there is a need for housing in Lancaster. Arbor Homes has worked
well with the city in the past and has a good relationship with the city.
Mr. Lundell explained that under the previous zoning code, the property was designated RS-3 with a
PUD overlay. The original intent was to develop condominiums on the property, which would have
resulted in approximately 200 dwelling units and a higher residential density. When the zoning code was
amended and the RS-3 designation was eliminated, the property was left solely within the PUD zoning
district, requiring a zoning change to R-MD.
Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the LCO1147.03(c)(5) Area Variance for relief from the
garage door measurements requirements in an R-MD District; Subject to the Area Variance applying
to all the lots in the Willow Creek subdivision, only to Arbor Homes and it’s Arrival product line, and
all of the forgoing is contingent upon the Planning Commission approval. Mr. James seconded the
motion.
The members voted unanimously by roll call to grant the Area Variance and signed an entry stating the
same.
Mr James made a motion to nominate Mr. Tim Oatney as chair and Mr. Jim Edwards as Vice-Chair for
2026; Ms. Anderson seconded. The members voted unanimously for the nominations.
Mr. James made a motion to adjourn; Ms. Anderson seconded. The members voted unanimously to
adjourn.