Ashtabula Resident Faces Garage Permit Denial With No Variance Option Available

A West 15th Street resident returned to Ashtabula City Council for the second time in as many months June 1, pressing for resolution on his blocked garage addition and making clear he intends to build regardless of the existing moratorium.

No Variance Available

City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper reported that a variance mechanism cannot legally be layered onto the current moratorium. The moratorium as written prohibits accessory structures exceeding 200 square feet, and because it is constitutionally tied to an active zoning study, it cannot be modified to allow individual exceptions through a variance process.

Cooper said the only path to relief for the resident would be a full or partial repeal of that portion of the moratorium. That decision rests with council.

Moratorium Background

The accessory structure moratorium was enacted in the summer of 2025 to allow time for the city to complete a master plan and zoning code update. Timonere said the master plan update is expected to be complete by June, with the zoning rewrite to follow over the next eight months, placing full completion around early 2027.

Timonere cautioned against repeal, noting the original moratorium was prompted by large sheds being erected without permits and causing drainage problems on neighboring properties, as well as issues with shipping containers and setback violations.

Resident Pushes Back

The resident told council his proposed addition is well within his lot, does not approach the property line, and is not interfering with neighbors. He said delays are pushing back his contractor’s timeline and increasing costs, and that he intends to proceed with or without a permit.

Council President John Roskovics acknowledged the frustration and said council would need to discuss the matter in committee before taking any action on the moratorium.

The resident also renewed a complaint about a neighboring property he described as accumulating debris and attracting large wildlife, saying city inspections have not resulted in visible cleanup.

Frequently Asked Questions

City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper said a variance mechanism cannot legally be layered onto the current accessory structure moratorium. The moratorium prohibits accessory structures over 200 square feet and, because it is constitutionally tied to an active zoning study, it cannot be modified to allow individual exceptions through a variance process. The only path to relief would be a full or partial repeal of that portion of the moratorium, a decision that rests with council.

The moratorium was enacted in the summer of 2025 to give the city time to complete a master plan and zoning code update. City Manager James Timonere said it was prompted by large sheds being erected without permits and causing drainage problems on neighboring properties, as well as issues with shipping containers and setback violations.

Timonere said the master plan update is expected to be complete by June, with the zoning rewrite to follow over the next eight months, placing full completion around early 2027.

The resident said his proposed addition is well within his lot, does not approach the property line, and does not interfere with neighbors, and that delays are pushing back his contractor's timeline and increasing costs. He told council he intends to proceed with or without a permit. Council President John Roskovics said council would need to discuss the matter in committee before taking any action.