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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 1960-06-01 r Minutes of Meeting 11 - 9 of Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca June 1 , 1960 American Legion Post 221 - Applicant . The meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of * Ithaca was held on June 1 , 1960 at 7 : 45 P . M . at the County Court . House in the City of Ithaca , as was advertised in the ITHACA JOURNAL on May 23 , 1960 . Members present were : William Rolston , chairman ; David Powers ; Robert Powers ; Aldus Fogelsanger ; and Constance E . Cook , secretary . Also present were : Robert J . Wells , Zoning Officer ; members of the Ameri - can Legion ; Harry Hamilton , attorney for applicant ; and various neighbors . The chairman called the meeting to order and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to consider the applica- tion of the American Legion Post # 221 , to use the Inlet Valley School , District #3 , for club rooms . The application was denied by the Zoning Officer under Section 4 , sub - section 15 , of the Zoning Ordinance . The premises affected are the Inlet Valley School House and grounds , which are now in a residence district . Mr . Harry Hamilton , attorney , stated that the School Board had decided to sell the property , and the applicant wished to use the premises for club rooms for its members . Application for such approval was dated February 18 , 19609 prior to the effective date of the revised ordinance . He went on to state that the Legion has sold its present property on Stewart Avenue and must move . The Legion would like to buy the Inlet Valley . Schoolhouse and use it for club rooms . However , the School Board will not accept bids unless they are approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals . The property in question is bounded on the south - easterly side of the Elmira Road by the Finger Lakes State Parks Commission , Mr . Hamilton said that Mr . Crandall had stated that he would not object , as had Mr . C . L . Bostwick who owns property adja- cent . Frances N . Leander and Arthur Prince also do not ob - ject to the proposed change . Statements in support of the proposed change were filed with the Board . tLl Q Discussion of the proposed change followed Mr . John. Johnston-, Fidler Road - He lives directly acroos from the schoolhouse and opposes any public group using the property . He feels that there would be additional traf - . fic problems in this ' area and it would be noisy to residents living in the area . Mr . Phillip Allen , Five -Mile Drive - He owns a tract of land directly across from the schoolhouse and opposes a change in the zone . If this exception is granted , it would permit other to come in . No immediate need of the Legion was shown, nor was any unnecessary hardship shown . Mr . Hamilton stated that Section 77 of the . Zoning Ordinance permits the Board of Appeals to impose conditions . David Warren , Commander of Post # 221 - stated that the property was previously used for a school , which use in - volved a great deal of traffic . Mr . John Johnston , Fidler Road - He feels that any fraternal organization is likely to have a bar and people drinking . Mrs . Cook asked members of the Board of Appeals if each member was acquainted with the premises . All members adknowledged that they were personally familiar with , and had visited the premises . Mrs . Stump , 128 Glenside Road - She lives one mile from the school . Noise is no problem to her but she does agree that the traffic situation is bad . One of the selling points for living in this area was i2bs - quiet , rural character . Clarence Morse - He feels that most traffic from the club would use the Five -Mile Drive and would not create a hazard . William Sullivan - He supports the Legion applica- tion . Most activities at the proposed club are at night . It is a well -behaved group . The members wish to promote family affairs . Mr . Rolston questioned whether there was 150 feet from the south end of the school to ' the adjacent Bostwick line . Mr . Wells noted that from the south end of the schoolhouse to the corner of the road right - of -way at the junction is 225 feet , 121 Mr . Hamilton noted that the title of the schpol house property is probably defective , and therefore , bidders will be very few . Mrs . Cook raised the question of adequate parking spaces . Would there be one for each five members ? Mr . Hamilton stated that there are 320 members in the Legion . Mr . Wells said that there is probably not space for 60 cars . Mr . Allen said that he saw no hardship shown on the part of the Legion . It must be the seller ' s hardship . . Mr . Wells read other permissible uses under the Zoning Ordinance , The Board adjourned for ten minutes . Mrs . Cook moved that the application of the Ameri - can Legion Post #221 be . denied on the basis that it would in- crease the traffic hazard ; that no need for the use in the neighborhood had been shown ; that the property in question is near a dangerous intersection ; and that other areas in the Town are zoned for this purpose . The motion was adopted by the following vote . Rolston - yes Cook - yes D . Powers -yes R . Powers -yes Fogelsanger - no There being no further business , the - meeting was adjourned . Respectfully submitted , Constance E . Cook Secretary