HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from 106 Berkshire Rd- Torgeson.pdf 106 Berkshire Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
September 4, 2015
Dear Zoning Board of Appeals members,
As a homeowner of 106 Berkshire Road since 1978, 1 firmly oppose the proposed variance to allow the lot at 105
Berkshire Road to be subdivided according to the August 27, 2015 letter from the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning
Officer Brent A. Cross. Due to my advanced age, I am unable to attend the Zoning Board meeting on September 8,
2015, but I kindly,request that you take my opposition into account in making your decision.
I am opposing this variance on the grounds that it both poses a threat to road safety in the neighborhood and that
it will alter the neighborhood in such a way as to negatively impact on the character and value of neighboring
properties.
The lower part of Berkshire Road on which my home and the new proposed new driveway and lot are located has
become one of the busiest roads in Cayuga Heights. It is a main thoroughfare for drivers coming off of Route 13 and
Cayuga Heights Road seeking to access Community Corners or the homes above and below Cayuga Heights Road. In
addition,the foot and bicycle traffic has increased in recent years as joggers, bikers and walkers use Berkshire Road
as part of a "loop" from the Cornell University Campus or other parts of the city or Lansing. Due to the
configuration of the turn of Berkshire Rd above our homes,there is a blind spot just where cars, bikes, and
pedestrians converge—often driving or riding too quickly on a narrow road with no shoulders—that makes this
portion of Berkshire Road particularly dangerous. Adding another driveway and another home to this portion of the
road will only increase an already precarious and dangerous roadway in the Village.
In addition, I believe that the proposed subdivision which will add a new driveway and allow for a home to be built
on what is the front lawn of another home will negatively impact the character of the neighborhood,thus
potentially lowering property values. Many of the homes in Cayuga Heights, and the reason we have lived here for
37 years, are set back from the roads in order to allow for privacy and quiet which is one of the reasons why homes
in Cayuga Heights are so valued and sought after.The requested variance to allow a 38.33'frontage for 105
Berkshire Road is. less than 50%of the required 75'frontage required by Section 7.b of the Village of Cayuga Heights
Zoning Ordinance.The frontage requirement was no doubt put in place precisely in order to prevent homes from
being built in front of each other on recessed lots in order to avoid housing density and a loss of the private
character of Cayuga Heights' homes. Allowing for this variance would so drastically be in contradiction with the
ordinance and its intention to maintain the character of Cayuga Heights' neighborhoods that I hope the Board will
uphold the denial of the zoning permit application for 105 Berkshire Road.
Finally, if this variance is allowed, it will allow for a home to be built close to the road in front of several homes,
including our own. I feel that this increased housing density and the reduction in privacy and safety by having an
additional home and driveway will decrease the value of our home and those of others in the immediate
neighborhood.As a longstanding taxpayer and supporter of the Village of Cayuga Heights for nearly forty years, I
hope that such a decision will not be made in contradiction with Village ordinance and public opposition.
Thank you for consideration of my opposition to this variance. I would be happy to answer any questions from
members of the Zoning Board. My telephone number is 607-257-5090.
Sincerely,
Kathryn W. orgeson