Accessory structure permitted in PUDs, with restrictions

by Laura Bednar

Sept. 14 township trustees meeting

Sagamore Hills trustees approved changes to the township zoning code relating to accessory structures in planned unit developments.

PUDs are pre-planned communities that contain various types of housing, including apartment buildings, attached and detached single-family dwellings and detached single-family cluster house condominiums.

The zoning commission proposed several regulations for accessory structures in these developments. Attached single-family dwellings, detached single-family dwellings or detached single-family cluster homes would be permitted to have one accessory structure no larger than 12 feet high and 168 square feet in area. Roof overhangs, canopies and extensions greater than 2 feet are counted in the structure’s square footage.

The structure “shall be in the rear lot, shall be constructed completely upon, and attached to, a patio or deck.” It must also be a minimum of 10 feet from the rear and side lot lines. No more than 40% of any single wall of any accessory structure shall be a solid surface. This may be a fence, solid wall or partially open screening.

No walls shall be enclosed within the structure. In lieu of an open-air accessory structure, the owner of a detached single-family dwelling can build a fully enclosed shed if it meets recent regulations, is not located on a deck and is the sole accessory structure.

Eaton Estate has more stringent regulations and only allows for a 150-square-foot structure. Residents must receive Eaton Home Owners Association board approval before obtaining a permit from the township for construction. Greenwood Village does not permit accessory structures.

Township updates

Trustees made a $750 donation to the Victim Assistance Program, a nonprofit that provides critical services to victims impacted by crisis, violence and tragedy, including in-person, on-scene and virtual services 24 hours a day, every day.

According to legislation, the VAP has provided 806 services to 35 victims living in Sagamore Hills over the past five years.

Trustee John Zaccardelli said the former Elmcroft assisted living facility on W. Aurora Road is set to reopen as Majestic Care of Sagamore Hills Assisted Living by Oct. 1. He also said there is a party center interested in renting the former Foot Spa storefront in Sagamore Square but a transaction has not been finalized.

Trustees agreed to bring in a third-party engineer to review the drainage plan presented by the Nordonia Hills Athletic Association for the baseball fields in Sagamore Hills Park.

Attorney Jeff Snell reported that the board of zoning appeals approved a variance for the final phase of the Heartridge housing development off Dunham Road. The variance allows for one 4-acre lot off Valley View Road with its own entrance. It will be separate from other homes in Heartridge. The final development will have 99 homes with more green space than required by township zoning regulations.