HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 2009-04-20 TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
MONDAY, April 20, 2009
7 : 00 P.M .
is
By direction of the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Public Hearings will be held by the
Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca on Monday. April 20, 2009, in Town Hull , 215 North Tioga Street, Tioga Street
Entrance, Ithaca, NY , COMMENCING AT 7 : 00 P. M . , on the following matters :
GRANTED APPEAL of Douglas G . Bianchi , Owner /Appellant, requesting the continuation of a variance
from the requirements of Chapter 221 ,-4 A(2) and Section 221 -7 C (4) of the Town of Ithaca Code permitting a
new freestanding , off- premises sign for the East Hill Car Wash . The proposed sign will be located on Pine Tree
Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel #62 . -2- 13 . 2 Community Commercial Zone (CC) .
GRANTED APPEAL of Timothy S . Whittier, Owner/Appellant, requesting area variances from the
requirements of Chapter 270 , Article VIII, Section 270-60 (C) , to allow insufficient side yard setbacks on
property located at 213 King Road E . , Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel # 45 . -2 - 3 , a Low Density Residential (LDR)
Zone .
Said Zoning Board of Appeals will hear all persons in support of such matters or objections thereto . Assistance will be provided for
individuals with special needs, upon request. Such requests should be made not less than 48 hours prior to the public hearings .
® Bruce W . Bates
Director of Code Enforcement
607 -273 - 1783
Dated : April 9, 2009
Published : April 11 , 2009
TOWN OF ITHACA
® ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
SIGN - IN SHEET
DATE : April 20 , 2009
(PLEASEPRINT TO ENSURE ACCURACY IN OFFICIAL MINUTES)
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TOWN OF ITHACA
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION
I , Paulette Terwilliger , being duly sworn , say that I a Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of
Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York that the following notice has been duly posted on the
sign board of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and the notice has been duly published in
the official newspaper , Ithaca Journal:
ADVERTISEMENT : PUBLIC HEARING
TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
MONDAY , April 20 , 2009
7 : 00 P . M .
Dated : April 9 , 2009
Published : April 13 , 2009
Location of Sign Board Used for Posting : Town Clerk' s Office
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca , NY 14850
Date of Posting : Monday , April 13 , 2009
Date of Publication : Monday , April 13 , 2009
Paulette Terwilliger
Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Ithaca
STATE OF NEW YORK)
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS ) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA )
Pf
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of April , 2009 .
Notary Public
CONNIE F. CLARK
Notary Public , State of New York
No . 01 CL6052878
Qualified in Tompkins County
Commission Expires December 26 ,. 20 AI
tegais y,, 050, tegals a h o o
TOWN OF ITHACA
ZONING BOARD OF . Bruce W: Bates
APPEALS Director of Code
NOTICE OF PUBLIC Enforcement
HEARINGS 607-273-1783 .
MONDAY,
009 ril 20; Dated: April 9, 2009 . .
7:00 P.M. Published : April 13 , 2009
4% 13/2009
By direction of the Chair-
ma
hair-
man of the Zoning Board
of Appeals NOTICE IS
j HEREBY GIVENthat Public
j Hearings will be held by
! the 'Zoning Board . of Ap-
peals of the Town of Ithaca
on Monday, ) April 20, '
! 2009 in Town Hall, 215
f North Tioga Street, Tioga r
Street Entrance, Ithaca, f
r NY, COMMENCING AT t
f 7:00 OP.M., on the follow= 1
ing matters:
APPEAL of Douglas G.
Bianchi Owner
f /Appellant, requesting the 1
! continuation of a variance
i from the requirements of
Chapter 221 ,-4 AI2), and
I Section 221 -7 C l4 of the
Town of Ithaca Code per-
mitting a . new ' freestand-
ing, off-premises sign for '
the East Hill Car Wash.
The proposed, sign will be
located on Pine Tree Road,
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel '
#62 :2-13 . 2 . Community
f Commercial Zone (CC) . .
APPEAL of Timothy S.
Whittier, Owner
i /Appellant, requesting
area variances from the re- , i
quirements of Chapter .i
270, Article VIII Section i
270-60 (C), to allow insuf-
ficient side yard setbacks
on property located at
213 King Road E . , Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel # 45 .-
J
5 :l 2-3, a Low Density Resi-
1 dential (LDR) Zone.
Said Zoning Board of Ap-
peals will hear all persons
in support of such matters.
or objections thereto. As-
sistance will be provided j
for individuals with special
needs; upon, request. Such ,
requests should be - made
not less than 48 .hours pri-
orto the public hearings.
i
Affidavit of Service by Mail
State of New York)
SS
County of Tompkins)
I, Paulette Terwilliger, being duly sworn , deposes and says , that deponcnt is not a
party to the actions , is over 21 years of age and resides at 0 L. VJOCkk 5igeyv_ �0C /J
That on thelOth day of April , 2009 , deponent served the within notice upon the
following
Parker, Marjorie Pletter , Ronald & Jamie Price , David E & May
106 Ridgecrest Rd 169 Whitetail Dr 209 E King Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
�iodriguez, Rodrigo Rincon , Belinda Seamon , Sonja M Smith , Aaron E Storm - Smith , Julie
5 E King Rd 212 East King Rd Anne
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 110 Ridgecrest Rd
Ithaca , NY 14850
Snead , Ernestine Stanion , Paul G & Mary K Swain , Julie
173 Whitetail Dr 109 Ridgecrest Rd 115 Ridgecrest Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Swartout , David A & Patricia L Sweeney, Paul D & Joanne Town of Ithaca
107 Ridgecrest Rd 167 Whitetail Dr 215 N Tioga St
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca , NY 14850
Town of Ithaca Wang , Albert Whittier, Loris
215 N Tioga St 195 King Rd E 213 E King Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Wrisley, Florence
202 Troy Rd
0aca, NY 14850
Bacorn , David P Belyea, Brian & Barbara Berkley, Robert
108 Ridgecrest Rd 165 Whitetail Dr 227 E King Rd
aca, NY 148509449 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Buckley, Devon K Burbank , David M & Illa G Chen , Sidney & Amy
104 Ridgecrest Rd 161 Whitetail Dr 302 Salem Dr
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Conners , John & Joan Corbett, Eugene & Cinthia Deer Run Homeowners Asc Inc
171 Whitetail Dr 221 E King Rd 119 W Green St 2nd floor
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14851
Eckstrom , Daniel James Farley, Peter R & Kathleen M Franziska Racker Centers , Inc
122 Ridgecrest Rd 210 E King Rd 3226 Wilkins Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Gardner, Philip Gebauer, Johann & Anna Goodmark , Jeffrey D Citron , Jennifer
112 Ridgecrest Rd 117 Ridgecrest Rd 113 Ridgecrest Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
10
Hartung , Jeffery David Heath , Bernadette Henderson , Shane Rooks , Alison
204 E King Rd 116 Ridgecrest Rd 176 Whitetail Dr
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Heritage Park Townhouses Inc Holm , Einar J Holm , Einar J
680 Ridge Rd 125 Ridgecrest Rd 125 Ridgecrest Rd
Lansing , NY 14882 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Hunter, Constance P Jasiniski , Mark & Peggy Kossack , Marion
2 Belted Kingfisher 216 E King Rd 208 Nelson Rd
Fernandina Beach , FL 32034 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Lofgren , Michael & Lisa Martin , Russell & Mary Miller, Frances R & Scott
163 Whitetail Dr 174 Whitetail Dr 172 Whitetail Dr
Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Montgomery, Deborah S Cove , Naftel , Richard W Oliver, Ronald B & Priscilla J
drew 120 Ridgecrest Rd 129 Ridgecrest Rd
202 E King Rd Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14850
Ithaca , NY 14850
1093 Group LLC Cornell Federal Credit Union " Fri - King Venter
295 Main Street 1030 Craft Road I Technology PI
Buffalo , NY 14203 Ithaca, NY 14850 East Syracuse , N
Cornell University
TCW Associates Inc . East Lawn Cem(1020 Ellis Hollow Road Douglas Bianchi 934 Mitchell Str
Ithaca , NY 14850 1263 Ellis Hollow Road Ithaca, NY 148
Ithaca, NY 14850
Janivar Inc . Marc & Michaela Purdy Stella' s Realty L
Sununcrhill Drive , Suite 222 18 Grandview Drive 403 College Av(
Ithaca , NY 14850 Lansing , NY 14882 Ithaca, NY 148
Yunis Properties LLC
214 Church Street
Elmira , NY 14901
by depositing same enclosed in a postage-paid address wrapper, in a post of
under the exclusive care and custody of the United States P ' t ffic i in the State
New York ��
aulette Terwilliger
Sworn to before me this / 3q` day of C �_ 2009
Notary Public
CONNIE F. CLARK
Notary Public , State of New York
No . 01CL6052878
Qualified in Tompkins County
Commission Expires December 26 , 20 �D
FILE
DATE
® Zoning Board of Appeals
215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca , NY 14850
Monday, April 20 , 2009
7 : 00 PM
Present
Board Members : Kirk Sigel (Chairperson ) , Harry Ellsworth , Ron Krantz , James
Niefer, David Mountin , Susan Mann .
Staff Members : Debby Kelley , Bookkeeper to the Supervisor (filling in as
Secretary) ; Susan Brock , Attorney for the Town ; Bruce Bates ,
Director of Code Enforcement .
Others : George Patte , Jr. , Attorney ; Timothy Whittier, Doug Bianchi .
Call to Order
Chairperson Sigel called the meeting to order at 7 : 03 p . m . He welcomed everyone to
the April meeting of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals and announced there
were two appeals before the board . The appeals would be taken in the following order:
1 ) Douglas Bianchi and 2 ) Timothy Whittier.
APPEAL of Douglas G . Bianchi , Owner /Appellant, requesting the continuation of
a variance from the requirements of Chapter 221 , -4 A(2 ) and Section 221 =7 C(4) of
® the Town of Ithaca Code permitting a new freestanding , off-premises sign for the
East Hill Car Wash . The proposed sign will be located on Pine Tree Road , Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel #62 . =2- 13 .2 Community Commercial Zone (CC) .
Doug Bianchi came before the Board and stated he was before the Board a year and a
half ago and the variance he received at that time expired in February . He had a
difficult time working with Cornell on an agreement that would allow for him to erect a
sign on the property .
Chairperson Sigel asked if the plans for the sign have changed . Mr. Bianchi responded
that the patency of the electrical conduit was disrupted by the redevelopment in the
area . He did know for certain if wires can be pulled through it ; if they are not able to
then the sign will not be illuminated .
Chairperson Sigel confirmed that the size of the sign and sign content are the same .
Mr. Bianchi provided the Board with a copy of Cornell ' s proposed changes to the sign .
The Board and Mr. Bianchi briefly discussed the minor changes Cornell made to the
proposed sign .
Chairperson Sigel asked Attorney Brock if she saw a problem with the Board moving
the same resolution (ZB 2007-037) . Attorney Brock did not think that would be a
problem , but thought that there was some confusion about the clock aspect of the sign
when it was approved in August 2007 . She suggested that language be added to the
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of
April 20 , 2009
Final
resolution to clarify the clock portion of the sign . Attorney Brock then asked if the clock
was still going to be part of the sign . Mr. Bianchi responded that the clock would be part
of the sign if they still have electricity to the site of the sign . Attorney Brock explained
that the Zoning Board approved the sign in August 2007 as long as there was no sense
of motion or blinking lights . Mr. Bianchi further explained that the only motion on the
clock would be when the time changed . Attorney Brock thought that the 2007 Zoning
Board ' s intent was to allow the clock .
Chairperson Sigel confirmed that the clock would only show hours and minutes , not
seconds . Attorney Brock asked if the clock' s colon would be blinking to tell the
seconds . Mr. Bianchi thought that that feature of the clock was programmable and
could be shut off . Chairperson Sigel said that he did not have a problem with a clock
that changed once every minute , but he was not in favor of a clock feature that changed
every second because it was close to the prohibition in the law on features that create a
sense of motion . The intent of the sign law is to prevent a distraction . Mr. Bianchi
responded that the clock would be similar to the Trust Company clock located on the
West End .
Chairperson Sigel solicited thoughts from the Board on the clock . Board Member Mann
commented that the Trust Company sign on the West End changes between
Centigrade and Fahrenheit . She thought that it would be a programmable feature on
the sign to not have the colon blink and that her preference was for the colon not to
® blink .
With no other questions or comments from the Board , Chairperson Sigel opened the
public hearing at 7 : 11 p . m . There being no one , Chairperson Sigel closed the public
hearing at 7 : 11 p . m .
Chairperson Sigel moved to make a negative determination of Environmental
Significance for the reasons stated in Part II of the Environmental Assessment Form
prepared by Town Staff . Board Member Krantz seconded . Vote—carried unanimously .
ZB RESOLUTION 2009=011 : Environmental Assessment, Sign Variance, Douglas
Bianchi, Pine Tree Road, Tax Parcel No. 62. =2- 13.2
MOTION made by Chairperson Sigel, Seconded by Board Member Krantz.
RESOLVED, that in regard to the appeal of Douglas Bianchi, this Board makes a
negative determination of environmental significance for the reasons stated in Part 11 of
the Environmental Assessment Form prepared by Town Staff.
A vote on the motion resulted as follows:
AYES: Sigel, Ellsworth, Krantz, Niefer, Mountin
® NAYS: None.
Page 2 of 7
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of
April 20 , 2009
Final
Motion was carried unanimously.
Chairperson Sigel then moved ZB Resolution No . 2007 -037 in its entirety with the
addition of a 6th condition prohibiting the clock on the sign to show seconds and , if
possible , no part of the clock shall blink . Board Member Ellsworth seconded . Vote—
carried unanimously .
ZB RESOLUTION 2009-012: Sign Variance, Douglas Bianchi, Pine Tree Road, Tax
Parcel No. 62. =2- 13.2
MOTION made by Chairperson Sigel, Seconded by Board Member Ellsworth.
RESOLVED, that this Board grants the appeal of Douglas Bianchi, requesting variances
from the requirements of Chapter 221 of the Town of Ithaca Code be permitted to erect
a new freestanding sign for the East Hill Carwash located at 383 Pine Tree Road, tax
parcel number 62. -2- 13. 2 and 62. -2- 13. 6. community commercial zone. The proposal is
to install a new approximately 69 square foot sign, 16 foot tall internally lit on Cornell
University property at the new driveway entrance on Pine Tree Road. The sign will be
located off-premise and includes a clock and the proposal includes a copy change
section.
CONDITIONS
® 1 . That the proposed sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in total sign area as
defined in the Town of Ithaca sign law, which is Town Code section 221 ,
2. That the applicant must obtain a sign permit prior to installing the sign,
3. That the submission of documentation that Cornell University has granted the
necessary easement, license or other legal authorization to East Hill Carwash to
allow the placement of the sign on Cornell property prior to issuance of any sign
permit,
4 . That the sign have no copy change element,
5. That the setback from the side lot line be no less than 3 feet and the sign is
permitted to be located off-premises, and
6. That while the clock element of the sign is allowed that the clock shall not show
seconds and if possible, no part of the clock shall blink.
FINDINGS
1 . That this Board of Appeals does find that the benefit to the applicant does
outweigh the detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
Page 3of7
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of
April 20 , 2009
Final
2. The applicant's request as modified by the conditions of this variance, specifically
that the benefit that the applicant wishes to achieve cannot be met by any other
means feasible given that the applicant's business is located far back from a
public road and therefore needs a sign on a separate tax parcel at the road.
3. That further it will not be an undesirable change in the neighborhood character,
which are nearby properties, given that the sign as modified by this board is in
keeping with the character of other signs nearby which are also conforming.
4 . That the request is not substantial, that the sign is conforming in size and is only
nonconforming in location.
5. The request will not have adverse physical or environmental affects and the
alleged difficulty is not self-created.
A vote on the motion resulted as follows:
AYES: Sigel, Ellsworth, Krantz, Niefer, Mountin
NAYS: None.
Motion was carried unanimously.
® APPEAL of Timothy S . Whittier, Owner/Appellant, requesting area variances from
the requirements of Chapter 270 , Article VIII , Section 270=60 ( C), to allow
insufficient side yard setbacks on property located at 213 King Road E . , Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel # 45 . =2-3 , a Low Density Residential ( LDR ) Zone .
George Patte came before the Board and introduced himself and Tim Whittier.
Chairperson Sigel asked if Mr. Patte had anything to add to the materials . Mr. Patte
said that he received a hand written letter from Mr. and Mrs . Price of 209 King Rd E
stating that they did not object to the proposed variances on the property . ( Letter filed
with variance request . )
Chairperson Sigel noted that the insufficient side yard setback has existed since 1985
and that a pending sale brought attention to the issue . He said that Mr. Williams , Code
Enforcement Officer, estimated the actual setback to be 9 feet . Attorney Brock
explained that when the distance from the stairs to the side lot line is measured it is 9
feet . She went on to say that the survey dated November 7 , 2008 provided to the Town
measures the distance from the corner of the building to the side lot line as 15 . 2 feet ,
but the stairs and the landing need to be counted as encroachment into the side yard .
Chairperson Sigel solicited questions and comments from the Board . Alternate Board
Member Mann asked why a Certificate of Occupancy was issued for the property if it did
not comply with setback requirements . Chairperson Sigel explained that the house
originally did not have living space above the garage . Mr. Whittier indicated that the
living space was built as part of the original garage . Chairperson Sigel asked if the
Page 4of7
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of
April 20, 2009
Final
garage and associated living space an addition to the house . Mr. Whittier believed it
was an addition .
Mr. Bates added that the garage was built in 1961 and other alterations were done in
1962 . He noted that to the Town ' s knowledge alterations have not taken place until the
applicant recently applied for a building permit .
Attorney Brock noted that the Certificate of Occupancy noted by Alternate Board
Member Mann was issued by the Tompkins County Health Department for the septic
system . She said that the Town may not have been issuing Certificates of Occupancy
for single -family residences in that time period .
Chairperson Sigel noted that in Mr. Williams ' letter he explained that the April 1961
building permit was issued to construct a one -story garage . He could presume that at
that point the garage was not to include living space . Mr. Bates noted that the Town
does not have a hard copy of the 1962 building permit so they do not have evidence of
what the permit was for.
Alternate Board Member Mann asked how much it costs to install a fire separation wall .
Mr. Whittier answered that he is doing the work himself with the help of a friend and he
estimated the total cost to be less than $ 1 , 000 .
Alternate Board Member Mann asked if the Board could grant the appeal without the
MP necessary fire separation wall . Mr. Bates explained that the fire separation wall had
nothing to do with the request for the variance . The building permit application for the
fire separation wall triggered the Town ' s noticing that the property was not compliant .
He believed that the property would be compliant without the porch . Chairperson Sigel
said that the fire separation wall is a Code issue and is not something that the Board
could allow them not to do . Board Member Ellsworth added that the fire separation wall
was also needed to prevent car fumes from getting into the living space . Attorney Brock
reiterated that the only issue before the Board was the side lot line variance . She did
not think it was necessary to specify anything about the fire separation wall because it' s
a Code issue .
Alternate Board Member Mann noted that it is a substantial variance because a 40 foot
setback is required . Chairperson Sigel did not know if the original house complied with
the 40 foot setback .
Mr. Bates asked what the size of the garage is . Mr. Whittier's response was not
audible. Chairperson Sigel asked if any variances have been granted on the property .
Mr. Bates said that there were no variances found .
Board Member Krantz said it seemed as if the Board had three choices : 1 ) move that
the house be destroyed , 2 ) that the house be moved , or 3 ) allow a variance for the side
yard setback . Chairperson Sigel did not think it could even be moved because it looked
as if the other side of the house is also too close to the lot line .
Page 5 of 7
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of
April 20, 2009
Final
Attorney Brock stated that the property was advertised as requiring area variances for
insufficient side yard setbacks . She suggested that if the Board moves to grant the
variance , they should be clear that the variance is being granted for both side yard
deficiencies .
Brief discussion took place regarding the setback requirements at the time the house
and garage were built .
With no other questions or comments , Chairperson Sigel opened the public hearing at
7 : 35 p . m , and invited members of the public to address the Board . There being no one ,
Chairperson Sigel closed the public hearing at 7 : 35 p . m .
Chairperson Sigel then moved to grant the appeal of Timothy Whittier with conditions on
side yard setbacks and finding that all requirements of an area variance had been met .
Board Member Ellsworth seconded . Vote—carried unanimously .
ZB RESOLUTION 2009-013: Area Variance, Timothy Whittier, 213 King Rd E, Tax
Parcel No. 45. -2-3
MOTION made by Chairperson Sigel, Seconded by Board Member Ellsworth.
RESOLVED, that this Board grants the appeal of Timothy Whittier, requesting area
variances from the requirements of Chapter 270, Article Vlll, Section 270-60C to allow
insufficient side yard setbacks on the property located at 213 King Road East, Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 45. -2-3, Low Density Residential Zone, with the following:
Conditions
1 . That the west side yard setback be no less than 33 feet,
2. That the east side yard setback be no less than 8 feet, and
3. That there be no additional construction within any required yard setbacks that
increases the footprint of the existing structure.
Findings
That the benefit to the applicant outweighs any detriment to the health, safety, and
welfare of the community. Specifically:
1 . That the benefit that the applicant wishes to achieve cannot be achieved by any
other feasible means given that the house has existed on this property in its
present state for many years and there is no feasible means to bring it in to
Ah compliance other than to destroy a significant portion of the house,
Page 6 of 7
Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of
April 20 , 2009
Final
2. That there will not be an undesirable change in the neighborhood character or to
nearby properties given that the property has existed in its present state for at
least 20 years,
3. This Board finds that the request is substantial being a setback of approximately
9 feet where a requirement of 40 feet is in place,
4. That there will not be adverse physical or environmental affects, and
5. That the alleged difficulty is not self-created given that the garage addition and
the living space above the garage were built many years before the current
owners became the owners of the property.
A vote on the motion resulted as follows:
AYES: Sigel, Ellsworth, Krantz, Niefer, Mountin
NAYS: None.
Motion was carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Chairperson Sigel adjourned the meeting at 7 : 40 p . m .
Kirk` Sigel , Chai person
"/Uo
Carrie Coates WAAmlore ,
First Deputy Town Clerk
Page 7 of 7
FILE
DATE f
ADOPTED RESOLUTION ZB RESOLUTION 2009-011
Environmental Assessment
Sign Variance
Douglas Bianchi
Pine Tree Road
Tax Parcel No . 62 . -2-13 . 2
April 20 , 2009
MOTION made by Chairperson Sigel , Seconded by Board Member Krantz .
RESOLVED , that in regard to the appeal of Douglas Bianchi , this Board makes a
negative determination of environmental significance for the reasons stated in Part II of
the Environmental Assessment Form prepared by Town Staff .
A vote on the motion resulted as follows :
AYES : Sigel , Ellsworth , Krantz , Niefer, Mountin
NAYS : None .
Motion was carried unanimously .
STATE OF NEW YORK)
® COUNTY OF TOMPKINS) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA :
I , Carrie Coates Whitmore , First Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , New
York , do hereby certify that the attached resolution is an exact copy of the same
adopted by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca at a regular meeting on
the 20th day of April 2009 .
First Deputy To Clerk
Town of Ithaca
FILE
DATE 1
ADOPTED RESOLUTION ZB RESOLUTION 2009=012 1
Sign Variance
Douglas Bianchi
Pine Tree Road
Tax Parcel No . 62 . =2-13 . 2
April 20 , 2009
MOTION made by Chairperson Sigel , Seconded by Board Member Ellsworth .
RESOLVED , that this Board grants the appeal of Douglas Bianchi , requesting variances
from the requirements of Chapter 221 of the Town of Ithaca Code be permitted to erect
a new freestanding sign for the East Hill Carwash located at 383 Pine Tree Road , tax
parcel number 62 . -2 - 13 . 2 and 62 . -2 - 13 . 6 , community commercial zone . The proposal is
to install a new approximately 69 square foot sign , 16 foot tall internally lit on Cornell
University property at the new driveway entrance on Pine Tree Road . The sign will be
located off-premise and includes a clock and the proposal includes a copy change
section .
CONDITIONS
1 . That the proposed sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in total sign area as
defined in the Town of Ithaca sign law , which is Town Code section 221 ,
2 . That the applicant must obtain a sign permit prior to installing the sign ,
3 . That the submission of documentation that Cornell University has granted the
necessary easement , license or other legal authorization to East Hill Carwash to
allow the placement of the sign on Cornell property prior to issuance of any sign
permit ,
4 . That the sign have no copy change element ,
5 . That the setback from the side lot line be no less than 3 feet and the sign is
permitted to be located off- premises , and
6 . That while the clock element of the sign is allowed that the clock shall not show
seconds and if possible , no part of the clock shall blink .
FINDINGS
1 . That this Board of Appeals does find that the benefit to the applicant does
outweigh the detriment to the health , safety , and welfare of the community .
2 . The applicant ' s request as modified by the conditions of this variance , specifically
that the benefit that the applicant wishes to achieve cannot be met by any other
ZB RESOLUTION NO . 2009-012
PAGE 2
means feasible given that the applicant ' s business is located far back from a
public road and therefore needs a sign on a separate tax parcel at the road .
3 . That further it will not be an undesirable change in the neighborhood character,
which are nearby properties , given that the sign as modified by this board is in
keeping with the character of other signs nearby which are also conforming .
4 . That the request is not substantial , that the sign is conforming in size and is only
nonconforming in location .
5 . The request will not have adverse physical or environmental affects and the
alleged difficulty is not self-created .
A vote on the motion resulted as follows :
AYES : Sigel , Ellsworth , Krantz , Niefer, Mountin
NAYS : None .
Motion was carried unanimously .
STATE OF NEW YORK)
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA :
I , Carrie Coates Whitmore , First Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , New
York , do hereby certify that the attached resolution is an exact copy of the same
adopted by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca at a regular meeting on
the 20th day of April 2009 .
First Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Ithaca
FILE
DATE
ADOPTED RESOLUTION ZB RESOLUTION 2009=013 4 4D
Area Variance
Timothy Whittier
213 King Rd E
Tax Parcel No . 45 . =2=3
April 20 , 2009
MOTION made by Chairperson Sigel , Seconded by Board Member Ellsworth .
RESOLVED , that this Board grants the appeal of Timothy Whittier, requesting area
variances from the requirements of Chapter 270 , Article VIII , Section 270-60C to allow
insufficient side yard setbacks on the property located at 213 King Road East , Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 45 . -2 -3 , Low Density Residential Zone , with the following :
Conditions
1 . That the west side yard setback be no less than 33 feet ,
2 . That the east side yard setback be no less than 8 feet , and
3 . That there be no additional construction within any required yard setbacks that
increases the footprint of the existing structure .
Findings
That the benefit to the applicant outweighs any detriment to the health , safety , and
welfare of the community . Specifically :
1 . That the benefit that the applicant wishes to achieve cannot be achieved by any
other feasible means given that the house has existed on this property in its
present state for many years and there is no feasible means to bring it in to
compliance other than to destroy a significant portion of the house ,
2 . That there will not be an undesirable change in the neighborhood character or to
nearby properties given that the property has existed in its present state for at
least 20 years ,
3 . This Board finds that the request is substantial being a setback of approximately
9 feet where a requirement of 40 feet is in place ,
4 . That there will not be adverse physical or environmental affects , and
5 . That the alleged difficulty is not self-created given that the garage addition and
the living space above the garage were built many years before the current
owners became the owners of the property .
ZB RESOLUTION NO . 2009-013
PAGE 2
A vote on the motion resulted as follows :
AYES : Sigel , Ellsworth , Krantz , Niefer, Mountin
NAYS : None .
Motion was carried unanimously .
STATE OF NEW YORK)
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA :
I , Carrie Coates Whitmore , First Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , New
York , do hereby certify that the attached resolution is an exact copy of the same
adopted by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca at a regular meeting on
the 20th day of April 2009 .
First Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Ithaca