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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-06-22 Minutes Board of Zoning Appeals - Town of Groton June 22 , 1982 Present : Janet Bell , Chairperson , Nile Smith , Mary Decker , George Bushnell , Donald Cummings 4/Q /81 4* Pursuant to Public Noticespublished in the 6/16/82 issues of the Groton Courier , a public hearing was held on the following applications : Application No . 1 - Hanford In purpose of considering the application of John and Cindy Hanford for a variance of the Mobile Home Ordinance of the Town of Groton in regard to the denial of a building permit to set up a mobile home which is non- conforming in size on the Francis Howe property located at 463 Lafayette Rd . The chairperson of the Board opened the hearing by reading the text of the Notice ; she then asked that any pertinent written comments or reports concerning the appeal be read . None were offered . Those witnessed present were : Bryan Lucey , Loren Aiken , and Mr . & Mrs . Alfred Schoneman . John & Cindy Hanford were then asked to state their case . They explained that according to the zoning of the town , the mobile home which is 12 x 65 will not be allowed on the property on a permanent basis . They explained that they want a variance granted to be able to set the mobile home on the property and live in it for two years while they are building their own home . They asked for a two year period to comply with the ordinance . An 8 x 40 trailer sets on the lot now . They want to remove and replace it with the larger one . J . Bell asked if there was any opposition . Mr . Lucey asked when the ordinances were adopted ? J . Bell Mated 1972 . He asked why the ordinances were adopted after the town ' s people voted against having zoning, in the town . J . Bell explained that a public hearing was held . He then asked , "Where do you people get the idea that people have to have - a dwelling of a certain size ? " J . Bell answered that it ' s written in the ordinances , She also explained that the Board did not draw them up ; that the board ' s function is to see that the zoning ordinances are followed as close as possible . A variance can be granted if one can convince the board that there is a hardship . G . Bushnell 2 explained that the .zoning laws are to help with an organized expansion of the town . N . Smith explained that any existing property prior to the ordinance of 1972 is permitted . "We have no juristiction there . If you take out the 8 x 40 , then you will have to meet the ordinances that are set up . " Mr . Hanford explained that the 12 x 65 now has a room added on and a patio roof over it . " If you will not consider the room as living space then I have no choice but to build another home or buy another mobile home . If I have to buy another mobile home for only two years - it is not feasible for me . " B . Lucey stated that there is too much open land in the town of Groton . " It ' s best to let people do what they can do with the financial resources they have . We should pass a petition to get you out of business . We didn ' t want you in the first place . Who passed these zoning laws ? " J . Bell answered , " The planning board , but it was also open to the public . The public had input into it . All meetings were open to the public and advertised . " B . Lucey asked what paper they were advertised in . J . Bell answered that it .. was the Groton Courier . L . Aiken asked , "Why don ' t you publish it in the Cortland Standard? We can ' t get down to Groton every night just to get a paper . It should be put in a paper that everyone can read . " M . Decker suggested that it be brought before the Town Board . She also explained that the zoning ordinances can be protective . If someone was building a new home , they would not want someone else coming in with a tiny trailer next door building add - on roomsall around it . Mrs . Hanford asked , "Are you saying there is no way you will grant a 12 x 65 , but you will allow the smaller 8 x 409 It seems like you ' d want to see us upgrade . " J . Bell answered , "We can ' t tell you right now . We will have to give you our decision after we have had a chance to discuss the situation , We want you to explain to us why you need a variance . " Mr . Hanford replied , "We want to be able to live in the 12 x 65 mobile home on a permanent basis . " G . Bushnell asked them if they own their own unit . They replied yes . N . Smith asked if they were living in it now but want to move it onto • 3 the property . They answered yes , that their purchase offer on the land has been accepted . Closing is July 14 . Mrs . Hanford stated , " I can ' t see why you would allow someone to move into something less ( 8 x 40 ) than what they already have . This law seems pretty stupid to me . Can exceptions be made ? " J . Bell answered , " Yes , variances can be granted if you can convince us where the hardship is , ", Mr . Hanford stated that first he wants to move the 12 x 65 mobile home onto the property and live in it on a permanent basis . If that is not granted by the board , then he wants to be allowed to live in it for two years . Within the two years he will have a house built or else purchase another mobile home that meets the square footage laws . If neither are granted by the board then he will be forced to sell the 12 x 65 and move into the 8 x 40 that already exists on the property now and build onto it . N . Smith asked , " If we grant variance for a larger trailer , what will happen to the 8 x 409 " Mr . Hanford answered , If we can move the 12 x 65 onto the property , we will get rid of the 8 x 40 . Mrs . Hanford asked . how long it takes for the board to come to a decision . J . Bell replied , " No longer than 60 days . That is the maximum . But we should have an answer for you before two weeks . " Mr . Hanford explained , " I am trying to get a low interest rate by shopping around with the finance director of Barden Homes . If he tells me two months from now that the money is available , would it be possible for me to come back and re�tpresent my case to you for a permit , if you give me a temporary variance ? " D . Cummings asked , " If we should grant variance and you cannot build a house in two years , how will you afford to buy another mobile home ? Because , if interest rates are still high , you may not be able to buy either . " Mr . Hanford answered , " If not , I can just build on to the 8 x 40 that ' s there . " Be Lucey stated , "Why not give them a variance and let them put the trailer on the property until Reagan economics bring interest rates back into reality? " J . Bell stated , "At this point we will have to close this hearing . " Mr . Hanford explained , " I v 4 have a 12 x 65 mobile home . If you say we canow ptft live in that - fine . If ' not , then it is to my advantage to sell it and move into this little shack 8 x 40 . I didn ' t realize that you have no control of the 8 x 40 . I thought I " d have to get permission to live in it . So , if I can ' t live in the 12 x 65 , then I ' ll sell it where it is and move into the 8 x 40 . I don ' t even have to build a house . " Meeting was closed at 8 : 47 p . m . �r�-.