HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA 7-12-2011 MinutesZoning Board of Appeals Minutes 7/12/2011
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Minutes for the
Village of Cayuga Heights
Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
July 12, 2011
MINUTES UNTIL BOARD APPROVAL
Present: Chairman J. Young, Members A. Watkins, and K. Sigel. Alternates M. Eisner and
A. Shull. Code Enforcement Officer: B. Cross, Attorney K. Gutenberger, and VCH Deputy
Clerk A. Korbel
Others: (See Sign In Sheet)
1. Meeting called to order
Called to order by Chair J. Young at 7:06 pm.
Chair J. Young appointed Alternates M. Eisner and A. Shull as voting members during the
meeting.
2. Variance Applications
A. 817 Triphammer Rd- Fence Variance
Code Enforcement Officer: B. Cross presented the Fence Variance request to
the board. Code Enforcement Officer: B. Cross previously submitted the
Variance Application and Zoning Officer’s Report to the board for review.
(See Appendix)
Property Owner, H. Tavelli, further explained the project to the board and
submitted pictures for the board’s review. (See Appendix)
E. Mount made a statement to the board supporting the project.
Chair J. Young read a letter from S. Schlaepfer also supporting the project.
G. Brodhead also spoke in support and had submitted an email to Code
Enforcement Officer: B. Cross in support. (See Appendix).
M. Eisner asked the members of the public if anyone had objections to the
project; no responses.
Code Enforcement Officer: B. Cross stated J. & N. Cowan sent an email in
support of the project. (See Appendix).
Public Comment closed.
It has been determined that the project is a Type II action and is therefore
exempt from SEQR
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RESOLUTION ADOPTED ON JULY 12, 2011 FOR APPEAL NO. 2011-2
Motion made by: Jack Young
Motion seconded by: Anita Watkins
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes 7/12/2011
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WHEREAS:
A. This matter involves consideration of the following proposed action: to construct a fence and
gate in the easterly side yard of 817 Triphammer Road (tax parcel 11.-2-29). Said fence and gate
will be constructed with a height of more than 4 feet and within the15 foot side-yard setback area
required by Section 6 of the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Ordinance; and
B. On July 12, 2011, the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of Appeals held a public
hearing regarding such action, and thereafter thoroughly reviewed and analyzed (i) the materials
and information presented by and on behalf of the applicant(s) in support of this appeal, (ii) all
other information and materials rightfully before the Board, and (iii) all issues raised during the
public hearing and/or otherwise raised in the course of the Board’s deliberations; and
C. On July 12, 2011, in accordance with Article 8 of the New York State Environmental
Conservation Law - the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQR), and 6 NYCRR
Section 617.5, the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of Appeals determined that the
proposed action is a Type II action, and thus may be processed without further regard to SEQR;
and
D. On July 12, 2011, in accordance with Section 712-b of the Village Law of the State of New
York and Village of Cayuga Heights Article IX§21, the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning
Board of Appeals, in the course of its deliberations, took into consideration the benefit to the
applicant if the area variance is granted as weighed against the detriment to the health, safety and
welfare of the neighborhood or community by such grant;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of Appeals hereby makes the following findings
with respect to the specific criteria for such area variance as set forth in Section 712-b of the
Village Law of the State of New York and Village of Cayuga Heights Article IX§21:
Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or
detriment to nearby properties will be created by granting the area variance.
Finding:
YES_____ NO X , because: there is a lot of neighbor support, the fence/gate is proportionate to
the house and the rest of the fence, and the non-compliant part of the fence/gate will be less than
10 feet in length.
Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method feasible for the
applicant to pursue other than an area variance.
Finding:
YES X NO______, because: the applicant could build a 4 foot fence and not need the variance or
the applicant could leave the space open completely.
Whether the requested area variance is substantial.
Finding:
YES_____ NO X , because: the fence/gate is less than 10 feet in length and will not occupy the
entire 15 foot required setback area.
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Whether the proposed area variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district.
Finding:
YES_____ NO X , because: the rest of the yard is open and deer or other animals may travel
through the yard without hindrance. Also, only a portion of the setback is being impacted and no
physical change to the natural landscape will be made.
Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created.
Finding:
YES X NO______, because: the applicant does not need to construct the fence/gate within the
setback area.
1. It is hereby determined by the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of
Appeals that the following variance is GRANTED AND APPROVED (with conditions, if any,
as indicated), it being further determined that such variance is the minimum necessary and
adequate to grant relief and at the same time preserve and protect the character of the
neighborhood and the health, safety and welfare of the community:
Description of Variance: the applicant has been granted a variance to construct a fence and gate
in the easterly side yard of 817 Triphammer Road (tax parcel 11.-2-29). Said fence and gate will
be constructed with a height of more than 4 feet and within the15 foot side-yard setback area
required by Section 6 of the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Ordinance.
Conditions of Variance:
1. The edge of the fence/gate will not be less than 5feet from the easterly property line; and
2. The height of the fence/gate will be no taller than the height of the existing fence, as shown on
the pictures submitted to the ZBA on July 12, 2011.
The vote on the foregoing motion was as follows:
AYES: John Young
Kirk Sigel
Alison Shull
Mark Eisner
Anita Watkins
NAYS: None
The motion was declared to be carried.
B. 1 Strawberry Lane- Increase Lot Coverage Variance
Code Enforcement Officer: B. Cross presented the Lot Coverage Variance
request to the board. Variance is based on a previous Variance Request
approved in August 2010. Current request is to change the project location
from the front of the property to the back. Code Enforcement Officer: B.
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Cross previously submitted the Variance Application and Zoning Officer’s
Report to the board for review. (See Appendix)
Property Owner, C. Frantz, explained the reasons for the change from the
previous plan to the board.
Public Hearing Closed
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RESOLUTION ADOPTED ON JULY 12, 2011 FOR APPEAL NO. 2011-3
Motion made by: Kirk Sigel
Motion seconded by: Jack Young
WHEREAS:
A. This matter involves consideration of the following proposed action: granting of an area
variance to permit an increase in the lot coverage from the 12% allowed by the Village of
Cayuga Heights Zoning Ordinance Section 7: Building Coverage in a Residence District to 13%
at 1 Strawberry Lane (tax parcel#8.-2-11); and
B. On July 12, 2011, the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of Appeals held a public
hearing regarding such action, and thereafter thoroughly reviewed and analyzed (i) the materials
and information presented by and on behalf of the applicant(s) in support of this appeal, (ii) all
other information and materials rightfully before the Board, and (iii) all issues raised during the
public hearing and/or otherwise raised in the course of the Board’s deliberations; and
C. On July 12, 2011, in accordance with Article 8 of the New York State
Environmental Conservation Law - the State Environmental Quality Review
Act (“SEQR), and 6 NYCRR Section 617.5, the Village of Cayuga Heights
Zoning Board of Appeals determined that the proposed action is a Type II action, and thus may
be processed without further regard to SEQR; and
D. On July 12, 2011, in accordance with Section 712-b of the Village Law of the
State of New York and Village of Cayuga Heights Article IX§21, the Village of Cayuga Heights
Zoning Board of Appeals, in the course of its deliberations, took into consideration the benefit to
the applicant if the area variance is granted as weighed against the detriment to the health, safety
and welfare of the neighborhood or community by such grant;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of Appeals hereby makes the following findings
with respect to the specific criteria for such area variance as set forth in Section 712-b of the
Village Law of the State of New York and Village of Cayuga Heights Article IX§21:
Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or
detriment to nearby properties will be created by granting the area variance.
Finding:
YES_____ NO X , because: the increase is modest and the new addition will fit within the
current envelope of the existing building.
Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method feasible for the
applicant to pursue other than an area variance.
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Finding:
YES_____ NO X , because: given the fact that the property is already over the allowable lot
coverage, any increase would require a variance.
Whether the requested area variance is substantial.
Finding:
YES_____ NO U , because: the increase is only approximately 5%.
Whether the proposed area variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district.
Finding:
YES_____ NO U , because: the increase is only approximately 5%.
Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created.
Finding:
YES X NO______, because: the applicant does not need to construct the addition.
1. It is hereby determined by the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of
Appeals that the following variance is GRANTED AND APPROVED (with conditions, if any,
as indicated), it being further determined that such variance is the minimum necessary and
adequate to grant relief and at the same time preserve and protect the character of the
neighborhood and the health, safety and welfare of the community:
Description of Variance: The granting of an area variance permitting the applicant to increase
the lot coverage from 12% up to 13%.
Conditions of Variance: The applicant must build the addition as described
on the plans submitted by the applicant to the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of
Appeals.
The vote on the foregoing motion was as follows:
AYES: John Young
Kirk Sigel
Alison Shull
Mark Eisner
Anita Watkins
NAYS: None
The motion was declared to be carried.
3. Review and approval of January 24, 2011 Minutes
Minutes incomplete. Angela will meet with Village Clerk Mary Mills to clarify
missing/incomplete items. Once revised, Angela will pass along to the board for approval.
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4. ZBA Training Board members are required to have 4 hours of training per year. Board
discussed possible training opportunities. Attorney K. Gutenberger and Attorney Randy
Marcus are available to conduct specialized trainings.
5. Sign Variance Code Enforcement Officer B. Cross informed the board of a possible
upcoming Sign Variance request from Corner’s Community Center. The Center would like
to install a sign advertising the Center.
6. Adjourn
Motion: M. Eisner
Second: A. Watkins
ADJOURN MEETING
RESOLVE, that this meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Aye votes – All in favor
Opposed- None