HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-01TOWN OF DRYDEN
Zoning Board of Appeals
May 1, 2018
Members Present: Jeff Fearn (Chair), Ben Curtis, Mike Ward, Henry Slater, Janis Graham
Absent: 0
Others Present: Ray Burger Director of Planning, Joy Foster Recording Secretary
Residents: 0
Meeting called to order at 7:02 PM
2 Beam Hill, 3 Area Variances
Applicant: Estelle Waterman
Chair Fearn reads the public notice:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of the Town of Dryden will
conduct a Public Hearing to consider the the application of Estelle
Waterman for three area variances to allow a greenhouse & a vurt to be
located in the front yard of 2 Beam Bill Road 150.-1-15.21. Each structure
requires a variance from the town prohibition against placing accessory
structures in a front yard. The greenhouse requires a variance to be sited
20' from the right-of-wav, where 50' is required.
SAID HEARING will be held on Tuesday May 1, 2018 at 7:00 PM prevailing
time at the Dryden Town Hall, 93 East Main St. Dryden NY, at which time all
interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. Persons may
appear in person or by agent.
Individuals with visual, hearing or manual impairments and requiring
assistance should contact the Town of Dryden at 607-844-8888 x 216 at least
48 hours prior to the time of the public hearing.
Fearn asked applicant who is the property owner and if they are here?
Applicants are (Property owners) Cynthia Waterman & David Waterman, daughter Estelle
Waterman.
Fearn: asks if applicant has anything further to add? no
Fearn: We have 2 separate matters, I'd like to talk about the Greenhouse first then the Yurt.
Fearn: questions from the board?
Slater: just to have it noted, I know the Waterman's and we live in the general neighborhood,
but in no way will it affect my ability to look at this variance.
Curtis: I looked at the property and I couldn't understand the importance of placing this
structure so close to the road.
Estelle: I picked there because it's a combination of the amount of light that is there and the
floodplain. Applicant has board look at map where she shows them where floods happen and
where driveway and house and trees etc... are on the property.
Graham: could you explain the greenhouse to us a bit more.
Estelle: The greenhouse would be for raising vegetables and plants in the summer and a housing
for the chickens in the winter. Chickens are on pasture in summer and only housed here for
winter. They wouldn't be going in and out they are in one side of it. Has a sloped greenhouse
plastic type roof there would be a divider wall and wood chips for bedding. It is 160 sq. ft. And
no roosters only hens.
Ward: so the space to the N of the barn what is that space?
Estelle: we have natural springs there which makes the wetland.
Slater: is there a stream that goes by your house?
Cynthia: we have no streams on our property, we have springs that come out of the hillside
behind our house which makes a wetland and it just kind of soaks into the ground before it
reaches the front of our property. There is a stream on the other side of our neighbors property
that maybe you are referring too.
Slater: so you were part of the farm family days tour with your agriculture venture. I just
thought it was important to point out since the Town encourages agriculture and that you are not
a novice.
Estelle: part of what I'm excited about is that this structure utilizes that passive solar by having
it being partly in the berm. Which is why I picked that location for this greenhouse. There isn't
anywhere else on the property that gets the amount of sunlight this would.
Slater: to Burger, was the Town Highway Supervisor notified. I think it's important that he be
notified since this would encroach on the Highway -right-of-way.
Burger: Dave Sprout left a message and email to Supervisor (Rick Young) yesterday and so far
there has been no response.
Graham: you mention a lot of vegetative screening that you would keep and plant, is that
something you are committed to do.
Estelle: oh yes absolutely, our family values our privacy and would keep screening.
Fearn: another question are the occupants being that close to the road, how will you keep them
out of the road?
Estelle: They are only housed there in the winter and they wouldn't come out. In summer they
are in cage structures that move daily to fresh pasture, they are not free range. I have 6 chickens
now but would like to have 12-18 max.
Fearn: are there anymore questions from the board?
Burger: there are no written comments from neighbors.
ATTACH.. COr4Letter 'Next
DEPARTMENT OF'PI1NIG AND SUS'T'AINABILITY
121
Katherine Borgella, AICP Telephone (607) 274-5560
Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability
April 6, 2018
David Sprout, Code Enforcement Officer
Town of Dryden
93 East Main St.
Dryden, NY 13053
Re: Review Pursuant to §239 -1, -m and -n of the New York State General Municipal Law
Action: Area Variances for proposed structures at 2 Beam Hill Road, Town of Dryden Tax
Parcel #50.4-151, David Waterman, Landowner; Estelle Waterman, Appellant.
Dear Mr. Sprout:
This letter acknowledges your referral of the proposal identified above for review and comment by the
Tompkins County Planning and Sustainability Department pursuant to §239 —1, -m and n of the New
York State General Municipal Law. The Department has reviewed the proposal, as submitted, and has
determined that it has no negative inter -community, or county -wide impacts.
Please inform us of your decision so that we can make it a part of the record.
Sincerely,
Katherine Borgella, AICP
Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability
Inclusion through (Diversity
Fearn: moves to close the public part of the hearing (7:28 PM) and as a board will
answer the 5 questions.
Motion made by: Curtis
Second: Ward
All in favor - Yes
Fearn: This will be for the front yard, for the greenhouse, then we will do the setback then the
yurt.
A. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER AN UNDESIRABLE CHANGE WOULD BE PRODUCED IN
THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR DETRIMENT TO NEARBY
PROPERTIES WILL BE CREATED BY GRANTING OF THE AREA VARIANCE THE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
No undesirable change to the neighborhood because the house is so far back from the
highway so having this in the front yard, given the depth of the lot there is plenty of room to
have in front.
Motion made by: Curtis - Yes
Second: Graham- Yes
All in favor - Yes
B. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE BENEFITS SOUGHT BY THE APPLICANT CAN BE
ACHIEVED BY SOME OTHER METHOD, FEASIBLE FOR THE APPLICANT TO
PURSUE, OTHER THAN AN AREA VARIANCE, THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Behind their house they have the forest and N is the wetlands and the only open area is
the front of house. It would be a disproportional burden on applicant to place in another
area and the environmental impact would be more.
Motion made by: Fearn - Yes
Second: Curtis- Yes
All in favor - Yes
C. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE REQUESTED AREA VARIANCE IS SUBSTANTIAL.
THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Yes its substantial it is 3/4 the depth of the lot, it is a deep front yard. Its indeterminate whether
its substantial or not depending on the location of the structure.
Motion made by: Curtis- Yes
Second: Graham - Yes
All in favor - Yes
D. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE PROPOSED VARIANCE WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE
EFFECT OR IMPACT ON THE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD OR DISTRICT. THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS
FOLLOWS:
Its indeterminate whether its substantial or not depending on the location of the structure.
Motion made by: Graham - Yes
Second: Fearn- Yes
All in favor - Yes
E. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE ALLEGED DIFFICULTY WAS SELF-CREATED. THE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Yes / but in this case the area behind their house where it would be permitted is forest and see (A)
above.
Motion made by: Curtis- Yes
Second: Fearn- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Fearn: this area variance is SEAR exempt type H action part 617.5c- 10
Motion made by: Curtis
Second: Fearn- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Grant variance
Motion made by: Curtis to Grant Variance to place a structure in the front yard location
undetermined.
Second: Ward- Yes
All in favor - Yes
7:41 PM this variance final
Fearn: moving on to the setback variance (7:42 PM) The proposed structure would be
20' ft. from the right-of-way where 50' ft. is required. So they are looking for 30' ft. of
relief.
A. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER AN UNDESIRABLE CHANGE WOULD BE PRODUCED IN
THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR DETRIMENT TO NEARBY
PROPERTIES WILL BE CREATED BY GRANTING OF THE AREA VARIANCE THE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
It would be, though its close to the road 20' where 50' is required it is somewhat mitigated by the
forsythia to the south and the pine trees to the north and the slope away from the road, it would be
untypical of all structures in the general neighborhood. Also the fact that it is a low building not
tall its 10'ft. or less.
Motion made by: Slater - Yes
Second: Curtis- Yes
All in favor - Yes
B. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE BENEFITS SOUGHT BY THE APPLICANT CAN BE
ACHIEVED BY SOME OTHER METHOD, FEASIBLE FOR THE APPLICANT TO
PURSUE, OTHER THAN AN AREA VARIANCE, THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
There are other alternatives that seem reasonable and feasible.
Motion made by: Curtis - Yes
Second: Ward- Yes
All in favor - Yes
C. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE REQUESTED AREA VARIANCE IS SUBSTANTIAL.
THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Yes its substantial it is 60% of the requirement and see (B) above.
Motion made by: Curtis- Yes
Second: Graham - Yes
All in favor - Yes
D. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE PROPOSED VARIANCE WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE
EFFECT OR IMPACT ON THE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD OR DISTRICT. THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS
FOLLOWS:
There would be a visual impact being 20'ftfrom the road but it would be mitigated by the
conditions listed in (A) above to some extent. Applicant also intends to keep up screen
Motion made by: Ward - Yes
Second: Curtis- Yes
All in favor - Yes
E. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE ALLEGED DIFFICULTY WAS SELF-CREATED. THE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Yes /because there are a number of alternative places it could be placed.
Motion made by: Curtis- Yes
Second: Fearn- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Fearn: this area variance is SEOR exempt tvpe II action part 617.5c-10
Motion made by: Curtis
Second: Fearn- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Grant variance
Motion made by: Curtis to deny the Variance based on the findings above notably that
there are alternate methods to accomplish the benefits.
Curtis: yes
Fearn: yes
Graham: yes
Ward: yes
Slater: No
. ou-can-still-build-your-chicken-coop, just -not -that -close -to -the -road, -the -setback -is -50 -feet. --
7:58 pm Curtis motion to close this part of the hearing
Second: Ward
All in favor: - Yes
7:59 pm moving on to the next variance - The Yurt
Fearn: Are there questions from the board?
Ward: will there be a bathroom or woodstove?
Applicant: No bathroom, there will be a woodstove.
Slater: this yurt is strictly for recreational purposes, not for living, correct?
Applicant: correct
Fearn: so if there are no further questions, I'd like to close this part of the public
hearing.
Curtis: motion to close
Second: Fearn
All in favor: - Yes -
A. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER AN UNDESIRABLE CHANGE WOULD BE PRODUCED IN
THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR DETRIMENT TO NEARBY
PROPERTIES WILL BE CREATED BY GRANTING OF THE AREA VARIANCE THE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
No due to the fact it will be far enough backfrom the road and it is well screened.
Motion made by: Fearn - Yes
Second: Curtis- Yes
All in favor - Yes
B. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE BENEFITS SOUGHT BY THE APPLICANT CAN BE
ACHIEVED BY SOME OTHER METHOD, FEASIBLE FOR THE APPLICANT TO
PURSUE, OTHER THAN AN AREA VARIANCE, THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Yes could be placed in other areas but there is no discernible adverse effects to the community,
placing it where requested and would be a burden to the applicant to do so.
Motion made by: Fearn - Yes
Second: Ward- Yes
All in favor - Yes
C. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE REQUESTED AREA VARIANCE IS SUBSTANTIAL.
THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
It's not substantial because it 200'from the road, and almost not visible at all.
Motion made by: Fearn- Yes
Second: Curtis - Yes
All in favor - Yes
D. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE PROPOSED VARIANCE WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE
EFFECT OR IMPACT ON THE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD OR DISTRICT. THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS
FOLLOWS:
See (C) above, and there is no environmental impact that we could determine
Motion made by: Curtis - Yes
Second: Fearn- Yes
All in favor - Yes
E. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE ALLEGED DIFFICULTY WAS SELF-CREATED. THE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Yes /but the impact is very very minor.
Motion made by: Curtis- Yes
Second: Fearn- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Fearn: this area variance is SEOR exempt type 11 action part 617.5c- 10
Motion made by: Fearn
Second: Curtis- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Grant variance
Motion made by: Fearn to allow variance for Yurt as requested.
Second: Graham- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Motion made by: Fearn to adjourn 8:08 pm
Second: Graham- Yes
All in favor - Yes
Respectfully submitted,
Joy Foster, Recording Secretary
5-4-18
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