HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 1962-12-10 TOWN OF ITHACA
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DECEMBER 10 , 1962
A meeting of theTown of Ithaca Zoning Board of
Appeals was held in the Tower. Highway Building on Monday ,
December 10 , 1962 at 7 : 30 P . M .
Members of the Board present were : : Chairman
David F . . Powers , Constance E . Cook , Robert N . Powers , and
William S . Scott , Jr .
. Also present were * Zoning Officer Robert J . Wells ,
Supervisor Ben V .. Boynton , Albert Nardi , Roger Sovocool , and
Myron Stanton .
This is an appeal signed by Albert Nardi of 106
Rosemary Lane for variances in regard to the decision of the
Zoning Officer denying permission to build a soda fountain
at 108 Rosemary Lane which is now zoned residential . Permit
was denied under Article IV , Sections 11 , 129 14 , and 16
of the Town of Ithaca , Ordinance . Proof of publication was
presented . ° NrN�
In his appeal , Mr . Nardi stated that the School
District now owns all the property surrounding his property
on Rosemary Lane . Due to this fact , his property has lost
its residential value and thereby causing practical diffi -
cilities and unnecessary hardships . He also stated that no
alcoholic beverages would ever be served in his restaurant .
He further stated that he had made an offer the School
District in 1956 , but was turned down . He has . not been
appro'hhed since that time .
Mr . Nardi would have to have a variance on use , as
a soda fountain is not a permitted use in a residential zone ,
and also a variance on lot size and yard requirements , as
his lot is onl1Y 60 ' x 1101 and the Zoning Ordinance requires
lot sizes of 100 ' x 150 ' in R - 15 zones . The site plan
proposes to have gt side yards , 15 ' being the minimum require -
ment , and a 10 ' front set -back , 25 ' being the minimum require -
ment .
A letter fron the City of Ithaca School District
opposing the variance was presented .
Myron Stantah; of Renwick Heights stated that he
felt a business in this area was not warranted . He also
. feels that the School District will eventually own this
property .
Roger Sovocool , representing the Renwick Heights
Civic Association , gave the . following reasons as to why this
group is opposed to the granting of the variance :
1 ) 2
1 . It is an isolated area and might lead to
enforcement problems .
2 . It , might be a disruptive-area as far as the
school is concerned as it is so close to the
high school .
3 .. ' There is some feeling that it would tend to
become a "hang- out " rather than just an eating
establishment .
Mr . Nardi stated that the students from the high
school now go to such places as May ' s Kitchen and the
Froz -n-Gold . These places . are not much farther - from the
school than his would be .
After a brief recess , the motion was made by
Robert N . Powers that the application be denied for the
following reasons :
1 . It is now being used as a resinence and can
continue to be used as a resi. den" ce ; all the
surrounding property , except the school , is
being used for residential purposes .
2 . No neighborhood or community need for the pro -
posed use has been established ; both the Ren-
wick Heights Civic Association and. the School
District have stated that the proposed use
would be detrimental .
3 . The School Board has stated that its present
plan calls for the use of this property .
4 . The Greater Ithaca Regional Planning Board
has filed a brief opposing the variance on two
grounds :
a . There is no need for the proposed use ,
but there will be a need for expan-
sion of the school facilities .
b . A luncheonette on the proposed site
would increase traffic and parking
problems .
50 A luncheonette on the proposed site would alter
the essential characteristic of the locality
which ' is now primarily devoted to residential ,
school , and park .
Seconded by William S . Scott . Carried .
Supervisor Boynton appeared before the Board and
asked that they make a recommendation on a proposed change
in the Zoning Ordinance which would allow public utilities
in Business ' A ' zones . They are not permitted at this time ,
193
Page 2
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes -%. - December 10 , ' 196.2 ( coat . )
but are permitted in all other business zones . The Town
Board feels that this is inconsistent . The Zoning Board
expressed the feeling that they were in agreement with the
proposed change .
The question of the proposed amendment to Article
IX of the Zoning Ordinance was brought up and the Board
stated that it stands on the recommendation which it made
at an earlier meeting .
Meeting adjourned at 8 : 55 P , M .