HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 2024-04-23TOW NOVITRAC A
Zoning Board of Appeals
April 2,3,2,024
Minutes
Present.* David Squires, Chair; Chris Jung, Stuart Friedman, Connor Terry, Kitn. Ritter and
Matthew Ntirnn:ig
Dana M'agnuson- , Cos.; Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk; and Susan Brock., Aftom.ey for the Town.
Mr. Squires, opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
ZBA.A.-23-31 Appeal, of EZC Ca as 1'...,LC, owners; 4 Schlickel.Road,'Tp 36,-2-1.41, LD.Rjo,
seeking relief from. TowIthaca Code section 270-61 (Building are to, be peed to
bul"Id. a detached garage that would. i.n.crease the bmildiing area to approxim.atety'14% where
10% is allowed.
Mr. Squires read the p,ubfic hearing notice and noted that this appeal has been. before this Board
several times.
Mr. Martinek stated that Vi-. Moseley did sonie investigating and found that overhangs are not
included in. the total buildable area., Given,. that, the first part of the urequest tonight is to grant a
variance for the existing ,our because that alone is approXimately 12.5% where 10% �.s
permitted. Secondly, the request is now for a 20 x 20 garage, which would bring the not
coverage Percentage to, approxi , tnately 14%, an tnerease of less than,2% of the existing lot
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Public Hea�rtng
Mr., Squires, opened the! ubl,ic h.earing; there wasno one wishing to s'peatk a, A ri the heang was
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closed.
Dliscu.ssl.0�11
Mern.bers were sympathetic to the varianee regardtng the exisfing resWence as this was an
oversight by the Town and 11ot self-created by the applicant.
Mr. Terry was ill favor of granfi ng both, requests, noting that the applicant has sign.ificantly
reduced the requested size of the garage and the housjrectly next or has a large accessory
building and looks very sirnilar to this Parcel. He also felt that the urequested garage would be
lIdden in. the back, and shielded by trees.
A majorlty of the'Board rnern.bers were not in, favor of granting the variance for the detached
garage.
ZBA 2024-04-23, (Filed 4/25) I. 1
Mr. Martinck stated that he would be back. next month with a reduced size until bis clients are
Permitted to have an. accessory building.
ZBA Resolution 2024: ZBA.A-23-31, Area Vaiiance
,4 Schickel.Rd
TP 36.-2-14
Resolved that this Board denies the a peal of EZC Carolinas LLC, owners; 4 Schickel. Road,
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seeking elief from Town of1thaca Code section 270-61 (Building area) to be.Nn.-.nifted to build
a detached garage that would increase the building area to approximately 14% where 10% is
allowed,, with the, followng
Fm.dlings
That the ben.efit to the applicant does not outweigh, any detriment to the health., salexty, and
welfare of the communify, specifically
L That the benefit that thlicant wishes, to achieve can be achieved by other rneans, fe, asible
given that there is a garage that could be used for storage �rate r than. vehicle arki.ng-' and
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2. That the will. not be an undesirable change tn. the neighborhood. character or to nearby
properties given that there are other ProPerties with, attached garages and unattached accessory
buildings; and
3. That the request ubstantial given that the Proposed garage would increase the lot coverage
toappx�matel,.yl4%wherels ermitted-and
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4. The request will. not have adverse physical or environmental effects as evidence by the fact
that SQER not reqwred as a Type action, — minor accessory residential structure, and
5. That while the alleged difficulty is self-created in that the Property was purchased as is,
without any aWltional storage
Resol.ved that this Board grants the appeal. of EZC Carottnas LLC, owners; 4 Schickel Road,
seekof from Town of Ithaca Code section. 270-64 (Building area),, to legalize the existing
residence which exceeds the maxirnum lot coverage of 1, 0% at approximately 1-2.5%, with the
follming"
Condifiion
L That the building area cannot be expanded beyond the existing approximate 1.2.5%, and
Findings
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That the benefit to the appficant does outweigh any detriment to the health, safety, and weliare of
the community, sPecifically
ZBA 2024-04-23, (Filed 4/25) I. 2
1. That the benefift that the app,ticant wishes, to achieve cannot be achieved by other' means
feasible given that the house exists now, and
2. That there will. not be an undesirable change in the neighborhood character or to nearby
properties given. that the house has existed as is for a number of years, and
3. That the guest is, substantial given that the lot coverage pproxi:marely 25% over the
maximum permitted-, and
4. The request will. not have adverse physical or environ=ntal effects as evidence by the fact
that SQER is, not required as a Type acti.on. — area variance for a single family residence, and
5. That while the alleged difficulty is not self created in that the house existed and was over the
tnaxirn= coverage permitted at t�he ti= of sale.
Moved: Kirn Ritter Seconded: Stuart Friedman
Vote: ayes - Ritter, Friedman, Terry, Squires and Jung
Z,BAA-24-4.Appeel of Llinda Copan Rev. Trust, owner of 210-21.2 Forest Home Dr.,
MDR, TP 66.-2-1.3, seeking reflef from Town of Ithaca Code Section 270-71 wh,h requires
a We yard setback, of 15' feet where parcel A w�ould have an. approxiimatel.� 6.6" feet and
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Section 270-73 which, requires a, mtnMum width (gut the max: tnium, required front yard
setback fline) of 100"' feet where Parcel A. would have approxi.mate1y 95' feet and Parcel, B
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approximately, 50' feet and Section 270-73 which requitres a, minimum lot area of 15,000,
square feet, where parcel B is proposed to be approximatety 9,21.8 square feet.
It was 'iioted that therequest for a variance to allow on -street parking has been withdrawn.
Mr. Dulfer, Agent, gave an overview, stating that the owner wishes to subdivide the prope�rty and
live in the carriage house Parcel and sell the other. He noted that the parcels were con so, Ii dated
back in, 1, 990 and the request is to essentially go back to how they were rio�r to that
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consolidation.
SEQR Dete�,rmiinatio,n
ZBA Resolution,ZBAA-244 SEQ'R, — Area Variance
210-212, Forest Home Dr
1 lved that this Board makenegative determination of environtliental significance based
Upoti, the inforniatioParts 1, &,2 and for the sons, stated �in Part 3 of the Environmental
Asses&rnent Form.,
Moved: David Sq'uires Seconded: Connor Terry
Vote: ayes — Spires, Terry, Jung, Ritteraiid Friedi-nan,
Public'He a,ring
ZBA 2024-04-23, (Filed 425) IPg. 3
Mr. Siquut-Cs opened the public hearing.
Bruce Brittain spoke, saying that he supports the varialices as right now, with two, residences on
the Parcel,, one would have to, be a rental and lie is all for owner occupancy.
He the ask.ed about the memo firo�i-n Mr. Slater regarding parki.�ng, saying that he respectfully
disagrees with, his co�nlmeh nts, saying that tere is plenty of 'i-oom, for a sidewalk and parking.
Mr. Fi-iedmati asked him if his beiu n favor of the variance :is, based upon non-�i-entals and Mr.
Rrittain respon.deld that he is not proposi�ilgl a restriction on rental of either property, he felt that
having thein separated would enable both to be owner -occupied.
Herb Engman spoke saying he is a neighbor and sees no, problem, with the vat-�iailce. He said the
backyard �s sloped and not condLICive to, further building and the side Yard setbacks have been
there for ever and are not a roblen. He adided that he is very happy that thiere is �no Ion, e�i- street
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parUilg, bleing, Proposed as there have been problems with erosion when park�i ng in that area has,
happened in the past.
There are no shoulders on both, sides, of the road in that area and we have been asking for
sidewal, i ks�n that area for years and he encouraged the Boai -d to require the "'Private parking"
signs be rietnoved to make it clear there is, no parking in, that stretch.
Mr. Squires closed the hearing.
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DiSCUSSIOU,
Mr. FiJedrnan asked what changed to, i-emove the parking request.
Mr. Duffer responded that as the survey was b6ng draw�n, it was, deterniined that there is root'n
for off street pat -king on the parcel.
Mr. Terry asked if the carriage house is self-contained as far as utilities and Mr. Dulfer
responded that there will be a new water li�ne installed and then all utifities, will be itidependent.
ZIRA resolution ,Z]BAA-24-4 Area Vaiance
210-212, l est Home Ur
Resolved that this Board grants the appeal, of Unda Coprnan, Rev. Trust, owner of 210-212
d- I-%
Forest Home Dr., seeking retiet. trorn Town of Ithaca, Code Secfions 270-71. and 73, to be
permitted to subdivide the Property resulling in. duoin, the setback and Iot area, with . the
followm.g
Conditions
1. That the sup bdi. isi.on tuts the two.parcels, and the setbacks and lot area be substantially as
shown. on, the applicati.on. i-flaterials, and
ZBA 2024-04-23, (Filed 425) IPg. 4
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That the benefit to the applicant does outweigh. any detriment to the health, safety, and welffire of
the community, specifically
1. That the benefift that the app,ticant wishes, to achieve cannot be achieved by any other means
feasible gi.ven that subdivision cannot happen, without a, variance, and it should be noted that
pretously, these two parcels were separate and subsequently combined in 1-99and the equest
is to return to those separate parcels, and
2. That to will not be an undesirable change iu . the neighborhood character or to nearby
properties given that the homes have existed for many years and the Forest Home neigh.borhood
is a historic district with ree many.pro erties that have pxi.sting non.-cornpliant setbacks, and sizes,
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and
3. That the request is substantial given that the mini'MUM Width is 100' feet where Parcel B will
have a, 50' foot setback and the side yard setback of Parcel.A. would be 6.6' feet and Parcel B
will be approsir nately 9,218, sqft where 1.5,,000 sqft is requixes, and
4. The request will not have adverse physical or environmental. effects as evidence by the fact
that this Board has made a negative determination, and
5. That while the alleged diffi.culty is self-created in that the applicant wishes, to subdivide the
property, which is mitigated by the, fact that the Parcels had existed separately for .any years
prior to being consolidated in. 1. 990.
Moved: David Squires Seconded: Connor Terry
Vote.- ayes - Sqwres, Terry, Jung, Ritter and Friedillan
ZBA.A.-24-5 Appeal of Chris Otiver one of 517 Elm Street Extension, MDR, TP 29,,-7-71
seeking relief from Town of Ithaca Code section 270�-71 (Yard regulations) E. (2)
(Accessory u . ngs) to have two, accessory buildings remain in (east) side yard where they
are on1y permi'tted in the rear yard.,
The agent explained that the property is surrounded by other residences and where t . hey are in the
side yard is the best place because they are partially hidden. Putting there in, the rear yard would
have the effect of putting the�rn iti, other peopleont ya�rds due to the layout of the development
there.
Public Hearing
Mr. Squires opetied the public hearing. her was �o one wishing to speak, and the hearing was,
closed.,
SEQR, — Not needed — Type,2 — minor accessory structure on, a single farnily lot
ZBA 2024-04-23, (Filed 4/25) IPg. 5
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The Board was concerned about the barrels, and the agent responded that those could be
rernoved.
The Board felt tillat the he were screened by foliage and asked about who would see the sheds
if they were moved to the reai- yard.
The Board discussed setbacks if the variance were to be grantext, as no nuniber has beep
requested since they are not Perrnitted in the side yard.
Ms., Magnuson noted that setbackare gene' ally 1, 5' feet and the sheds, were discovered during
an, operati�ng peri,-nit i�nspection.
The Board wn,. favor of the request given the sh.ielding' and layout.
Z,BA. Resoluflion.,ZBAA-24-5 Area Variiance
517 Elm St Ext
MDR., TP 29.4-7
Resolved that this Board grants the appeal. of Chris Otiver, owner of 51.7 Elm, Street Extension.,
seeking relief from Town of Ithaca Code section 270-71 (Yard regulations) E. (2) (Accessory
buildings) to have two accessory buildings remain in. (east) side yard where they a�re only
permitted in, the rear yard, with. the following
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That the benefit to the applicant does outweigh any detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of
the community, specffically
1. That the benefit that the app,ticant wishes, to achieve can. be achieved by other i'neans fea&ible
g�lven that they can be moved to the rear Yard, however, the current location is, adequately
screened by trees and shrubbery, and they would be more visible if moved to the rear yard, and
2. That there will not be au . undesirable change in, the nlghboffi.00d character or to nearby
properties given that the sheds have been, there for at least 10 years, and
3. That the request Is, substantial given that accessory builAing's are not permitted in, the side
yard, and
4. The request will. not have adverse physical or environmental effects as dence by the fact
that SQER, is, not regain as, this is Type,2, placern. ent of a, minor accessory structure on a single
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01 arnily resWence, and
ZBA 2024-04-23, (Filed 4/25) IPg. 6
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S., "'rhat wh,11e �the alleged diff"'iculty 'Is self-created, ,in that the sheds, were co.,ii,s,t�r'Licted/pl,.a�c,e,d un,
violat,ton of'zoningr code neverdlefess the, bye to the, applican,"t, outwie,ighs, any deft",iment, 'to the
heafth,' sal"&ty and, wofe ofthe corn,,tnun.ity ft")r the reasons sta,ted above.
Moved: David Sqltrir,es Seconded,w otij,lor effy
Vote-," a,yes --- Squires, Jung, Friedman, Terry, andRitter
Meeting was adjouni,,ed, u o,,tiii,io,t,"Io,n,,'b�y'mr. Squiires, seconded, by 'Te,rry,- unan.i.mOUS11.
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Subininl
I au'lette Rosa, ""Fow,11, Clerk,
ZBA 20,24-04-23 (Filed 4/25) Pg,. 7