HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 1957-03-16 Minutes of Meeting
of
Zoning Board of Appeals of Town of Ithaca
March 16 , 1957
Rocco Lucente - Applicant
The meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town
of Ithaca was held on March 16 , 1957 at 11 : 00 A . M . at the
town barn as advertised in the Ithaca Journal on March 11
and 12 , 1957 . The members present were : William Roston ,
chairman ; David Powers ; Aldus Fogelsanger ; Robert Powers ;
Constance E . Cook , secretary . Others present were : Ben
Boynton ; Harry Gordon ; the applicant and a number of persons
owning property in the area were present .
The meeting was called to order by Mr . Rolston to
consider the application of Rooco Lucente for permission
to erect a sign four feet by ten feet on a ten foot strip
located at Christopher Circle and Warren Road . The ' sign
violates the zoning ordinance in that it is too close to
a side yard and too large , being over twelve square feet .
The board considered several factors including whether
this sign was properly related to use of land applicant is
developing in rear .
The following testimony was heard .
A . J . Luck - 520 Warren Road . He thinks. word " temporary "
should be clearly defined if used in granting variance .
The area to which the sign points is clearly visible from
Warren Road . It could be found easily without any sign .
Harry De Forest - 528 Warren Road - spoke against the sign .
Paul Kirshner - 128 Christopher Circle - stated that he
thought this sign was necessary to the development of the area .
John De Forest - 528 Warren Road - stated his opposition ,
certain of his windows now look out at the back of the bill -
board .
Alexander Cheney - 535 Warren Road - Opposed the granting of
a variance .
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John Evans - 519 Warren Road - was against the erection of
the sign . He feels that a small sign placed back on the
Lucent.e property would be sufficient .
Rocco Lucente testified that : Christopher Circle can not
be seen from Warren Road . The proposed sign would be a
safety measure because a bigger sign would mean less
searching by buyers . The sign wouldn ' t block off the view
because there are spruce trees behind it . He has 20 acres
and plans to build 14 houses . Six houses are already
finished . The sooner they are sold the sooner the signs
will come down . He expects to leave the sign up for about
18 months . Would take it down if De Forest or Luck has to
sell their property .
Andrew Bullock - 106 Christopher Circle - agreed with Mr .
Kirshner that the sign was necessary to development of the
area and the development would be an advantage to all . This
sign need not set a precedent .
A . J . Luck - suggested a smaller sign on the corner . MEN
John De Forest - was against any sign as detracting from
value of his property , even a temporary sign . It would
also interfere with the vision of drivers .
Paul Kirchner wanted the area completed so that the road
would be paved and value would go up .
Mr . Boynton indicated that Harry Baker , the town
superintendent of highways , would approve a sign 1 ' x ' 3 '
with 8 inch letters . to be ' erected for 18 months with a high
or low set back far - enough to protect traffic safety .
The board after motion duly made and seconded , denied
the appeal for thi ? following reasons :
1 . Wrong purpose since it related to the sale of
real property other than that upon which it was located .
2 . Too large .
3 . Improper set back .
4 N 6 - ard s hi P .. or ` practical d `ff- eulty h!ad '=been
shown .
5 . Objections from the community .
3 7.
The board then discussed the procedures followed in
calling and holding its -meetings . It ratified action
previously taken by chairman , secretary and town zoning
officers and directed the secretary to draft more formal
instructions for the assistance of the officers .
There being no further business , the meeting adjourned .
Respectfully submitted
Constance E . Cook .
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