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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA Minutes 1987-03-11 TOWN OF ITH c Date Clerk • TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS March 11 , 1987 A regular meeting of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals was held on March 11 , 1987 in the Ithaca Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , PRESENT Chairman Henry Aron , Edward Austen , Edward King , Joan Reuning , Jack Hewett , Building Inspector Andrew Frost , and Town Attorney John C . Barney . ALSO PRESENT : Patti Farrell , Tom Farrell , Craig P . Wilkins , Mary Bergman , , Emmett Bergman , Helen Barnett , Ruth A . Miller , Jane E . Hardy , Tom Shea , Dale Morse , Leslie Morse , William H . Brown , Karen Brown , Ginger DeKay , Robert DeKay . The public meeting opened at 7 : 00 p . m . Chairman Aron stated that all posting and publication of the Public hearings had been completed and that proper affidavits of same were in order . The first item on the agenda for consideration was as follows : ADJOURNED APPEAL ( from September 10 , October 15 , November 12 , and December 10 , 1986 ) of Mark Stevens , Appellant , from the decision of the Building Inspector / Zoning Enforcement Officer ' denying a Certificate of Compliance for a single family dwelling located at 118 Compton Road , Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 6 - 36 - 2 - 4 . 2 , Residence District R30 , said dwelling having been constructed with an east side yard of less than 40 feet . Certificate is denied under Article V , Section 21 , and Article XIV , Section 76 , of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance , Mr . Stevens did not appear . Chairman Aron inquired of Andrew Frost if he had any information on why Mr . Stevens did not appear . Mr . Frost stated that Mr . Stevens was negotiating a settlement with Mrs . Allen to obtain the required sideyar d for his property next door to hers but as yet had nothing in writing . Further he explained Mrs . Allen was out of town for several months and therefore Mr . Stevens had to wait until her return to pursue the matter further . A motion ' was then made by Chairman Aron as follows : This Board shall adjourn the appeal of Mark Stevens for an I ndefinite period of time until Mr . Stevens has time to get his materials together at which time he will notify the Zoning Enforcement Officer who will in turn notify the • 2 Chairman so that this matter can again be placed on the agenda . The motion was seconded by Edward Austen . The voting was as follows : Aye - Aron , Reuning , King , Austen , Hewett Nay - None The motion was carried . The second item on the agenda was as follows : APPEAL of Dale Morse , Appellant , from the decision of the Building Inspector / Zoning Enforcement Officer denying permission for the refinishing and sale of antiques from an existing barn exceeding 200 square feet in size 'Located at 157 Lower Enfield Road , also known as 231 Enfield Falls Road , Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 6 - 34 - 1 - 12 . 2 , Residence District R - 30 . Permission is denied under Article V , Section � 19 , Paragraph 2 , of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance , whereby customary home occupations are permitted under certain conditions . • Chairman Aron declared the Zoning Board of Appeals the lead agency in this matter as to the environmental assessment . Mr . Dale Morse then addressed the Board . He stated that one of the reasons why they had most of the neighbors at the public hearing was that everyone was concerned about maintaining the neighborhood in the character that it now was . He further stated that in asking for a variance some of the neighbors were concerned that in the future the granting of a variance would allow other businesses to come into the neighborhood . Mr . Morse explained that they would not seek a variance if it would mean that it would allow other businesses to come into the area and if the . granting of a variance endangered the neighborhood :in any way they would want the strictest variance possible so as not to allow this to happen . Mr . Morse further stated that they had spent approximately $ 10 , 000 . 00 into renovating the barn with interior repairs . He stated that the barn was in quite a dilapidated state before renovations commenced . Mrs . Leslie Morse explained that the antique business was something she had been interested in for some time and in the past has refinished furniture on a small scale . She went on that she would now like to sell some of the furniture , Mrs . Morse stated that she has one child now and plans to expand her family in the future and would then like to work at home rather than go 3 , • out of the home to work . Mr . Morse stated that this operation was a part - time endeavor , that he was a professor at Cornell University and his wife was a realtor . Chairman Aron inquired whether this part - time operation could eventually turn into a full - time business . Mrs . Morse responded that that might happen in the future but she would be happy to have the strictest restrictions on any variance granted to insure that the operation would not get too large . Chairman Aron then opened the public hearing . Tom Farrell of 151 Enfield Falls Road who lives next door to Mr . and Mrs , Morse addressed the Board . He explained that the two houses are very close and in fact they share a driveway . He stated that he fully supported the appeal of Mr . and Mrs . Morse , Mr . Farrell continued that over the past years the Mouses have made numerous improvements to the house and barn which have historical value in the neighborhood . Mr . Farrell stated that Mr . and Mrs . Morse had assured the neighbors of what their plans • are as to the amount of business to be conducted and also the parking concern . Mr . Farrell said he believed them as they both have their own full - time careers and travel extensively and also because over the years they have always been agreeable to problems of upkeep of the property . He continued that the traffic would be nowhere near as great as what Treman State Park brings in during summertime along their road and that the park would have another entrance in the future so that will eliminate much traffic on that road . He concluded by giving his wholehearted approval of the project contemplated by Mr . and Mrs . Morse , Mr . Emmett Bergman of 212 Enfield Falls Road was opposed to the variance . He referred to a petition signed by 1. 9 of the neighbors in opposition . Chairman Aron then read said petition , a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 . Chairman Aron pointed out that even though there were 19 signatures on the petition several of the signatures were from the same household thereby reducing the amount of homeowners in the area in opposition to the project to half that amount . William Brown , park manager of Robert Treman State Park • spoke next. He explained that the Morse residence is inside the park entrance and as with the Farrell residence their driveway comes out to the park road which is maintained by the park . He . 4 stated that Mr . Andrew Mazzella , Regional Director of the State Parks Commission had directed him to represent Robert Treman State Park in saying that the park had no opposition and in fact supported the appeal of Mr . and Mrs . Morse . Craig Wilkins of 234 Enfield Falls Road asked why the petitioners were against the endeavors of Mr . and Mrs . Morse , Mr . Bergman replied that they felt it would change the nature of the neighborhood and they would like to keep businesses out of the area . Robert DeKay of 130 Enfield Falls Road stated that adjacent to his land was a vacant lot of six or seven acres and his concern was 'that perhaps some other business such as a gas station would ' go in that vacant lot . He continued that if they could be assured that this would not happen they would riot object to the Morses having an antique shop on their premises . Chairman Aron explained that as to gas stations or convenient marts or the like , such an operation could riot be put into an R30 at anytime without rezoning of the area and this would not happen . • Jane Hardy of 215 Enfield Falls Road said that she has lived in the neighborhood since 1956 and worried that if a variance was granted it would set a precedent in the future for :come other kind of commercial venture to go in the area . Chairman Aron at this point interjected that the matter at hand was the subject of a home occupation and since it is not in the home itself that is why Mr . and Mrs . Morse were before the Board . He continued that if it was for a commercial occupation it would have been absolutely denied . Ruth Miller of 216 Enfield Falls Road stated that the neighborhood now was beautiful being next to the park and she would like to: see it continue in the character that it now was and worried about something like an automobile car lot being placed somewhere in the neighborhood . Mr . Tom Shea of 210 Enfield Falls Road had no opposition to this appeal . The public hearing was then closed . Chairman Aron then read from the recommendation as to environmental assessment of the Town Planner : " Lead Agency : Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals , Reviewer : Susan C . Beeners , • Town Planner , Review Date : March 3 , 1987 . Said document is attached hereto as Exhibit 2 , being Parts II and III of said recommendation . 4 , • 5 Chairman Aron then inquired of Mrs . Morse whether she was in the antique business because she needed the income or because this was a hobby and Mrs . Morse responded that it was a hobby . Chairman . Aron asked if the hobby would bring in at some time some extra revenue even though it was not needed and Mrs . Morse responded that it would . Chairman Aron then stated that it appeared at the present time that if Mrs . Morse was not granted the variance she would not suffer a hardship since they were both employed , Mr . Morse as a professor and Mrs . Morse as a realtor . Mr . Morse interjected that the hardship would come from the fact that they had invested some $ 10 , 000 . 00 in renovations to the barn and Mr . Aron inquired as to whether they would have done that anyway since the barn was in a dilapidated condition and Mr . Morse responded that probably they would have although not on the scale that they had done . Chairman Aron then asked if they had put in renovations costing $ 10 , 000 . 00 not knowing what they were going to use the barn for . Mr . Morse responded that in the first phases of their endeavors , they had tentative approval from some of the neighbors as to their antique business so therefore had proceeded on this basis . Edward Austen asked how many pieces of furniture Mrs . Morse had in the barn and she responded that there were about fifteen Pieces at the present time . Mr . Austen asked if she planned on expanding this business to any huge proportions and Mrs . Morse responded that she did not and repeated that if a variance were granted they would want restrictions placed on it to make sure this did not happen . Mr . Austen asked what hours Mrs . Morse planned on operating the business and Mr . Morse responded that they had no special hours , that it would be more like people dropping in if they saw the sign that Mrs . Morse planned on putting up if she was home at the time . Attorney , Barney inquired what kind of a sign they planned on putting up and Mr . Morse said that at this point they had no plans for any particular kind of sign but knew that when they were at that "stage they would have to come back before the Board to obtain approval . Joan Reuning mentioned that Mrs . Morse ' s application had stated something about by appointment only and Mrs . Morse responded that it would probably be on that basis and that she might advertise in the paper for a specific piece she was selling . Chairman Aron then inquired as to how Mr , and Mrs . Morse came upon their antiques and Mrs . Morse responded that it was through auctions and garage sales . Chairman Aron asked if Mrs . • 6 Morse was qualified to appraise antiques and Mrs . Morse responded that she was not but she and her husband read a lot about the matter . She further stated that they picked up the pieces at sales and then stripped them , refurbished them and then sold them . Chairman Aron asked if when Mrs . Morse stripped the furniture did she use some chemicals which were highly inflammable . Mrs . Morse responded that she used zip strip and when she used same there had to be some ventilation . chairman Aron stated that zip strip was highly inflammable . Chairman Aron asked what else Mrs . Morse used and she replied that she used turpentine and hand sanding . Chairman Aron asked if she used acetone and she replied that she did not . Edward Austen asked how much space in the barn would be used . Mrs . Morse responded that they would probably use half of the barn . Mr . King inquired if it was a two - story barn and Mr . Morse responded that it was but that even though there was a loft they did not think they would be using any part of the loft for sales but that maybe it would just be a workshop . • Mr . King said that part of the problem was that home occupations were usually restricted to 200 feet and that any space used for display and sales should be restricted to the 200 feet according to the ordinance unless the Board felt that additional space in the barn could be used . Mr . King then inquired what the $ 10 , 000 . 00 had been spent on and Mr . Morse responded that they had installed lighting on both floors and in fact rewired the whole barn , filled in cracks , put in new windows , fixed the loft which was collapsing , and put stairs up to the loft . He added that the roof needed to be repaired also . Mr . King asked if then one could say that half of the repairs were structural repairs and Mr . Morse responded that was correct . Mr . King then asked how much space they were contemplating using for display and showroom space and Mr . Morse responded they would need more than 200 square feet , perhaps more like 800 square feet because once you have four or five dressers in the area that would pretty much fill up the space . Mrs . Morse stated that it would be awkward to limit it to 200 square feet as you would have to put a line down the middle so as not to use the rest of the space . Attorney Barney inquired if they were planning on having any • outdoor display and Mrs . Morse responded they were not , only a sign . Chairman Aron inquired if they were contemplating an open house and Mr . Morse responded they were not , that what they wanted to avoid was having a lot of people there at one time , that it would be on a drop - in basis and not specific times that would attract many people altogether . Mrs . Morse stated that they would prefer to do it this way rather than as a garage sale because she felt this would be much more disturbing to the neighborhood . Chairman Aron responded that a garage sale was a one - time thing where the business they contemplated was more or less a semi - permanent business . Chairman Aron inquired if they picked up the furniture themselves or had it shipped in and Mr . Morse replied that they picked it up themselves . Chairman Aron inquired as to how many square feet Mr . and Mrs . Morse felt they would need and Mr . Morse responded that the area was a big open space and they had about 800 square feet available . Chairman Aron said that the more space available to them , the more pieces they would have to sell , and the more people it would attract . Mrs . Morse said that with her working and with having a small child she did not think she would accumulate that much furniture to sell . • Mr . Frost stated at this point that in terms of visiting the property and establishing whether Mr . and Mrs . Morse needed a building permit it was his estimation that as long as there was no structural change in the barn and as long as any electrical work was done through a reputable agency and as long as the total cost of any renovations was under $ 10 , 000 . and as long as the basic safety issues were not changed , a building permit was not required , so whatever additional work needed to be done the Board should be looking at a building permit being required . Chairman Aron then brought up the question of public liability and Mrs . Morse responded that they would take care of it depending on the outcome of the appeal . Mr . Frost then expressed some concerns . He felt that if Mr . and Mrs . Morse decided to finish antiques and have occasional garage sales , he did not think that would be in violation of the ordinance . He also was concerned with the 200 square foot useage requirement because if someone were to have storage in a barn he would have difficulty in determining whether this should be part of the 200 foot area . Mr . Frost continued that if the Board did not grant a variance and then in the future he were to get a call that Mr . and Mrs . Morse were having a garage sale , and then a month later he were to get another call about another garage sale , he might not see that as a violation of the ordinance . Mr . • Frost explained he wanted to bring this matter up now to see how the Board would feel about it . He summed up that it was his own opinion that as to the 200 square feet useage it was his opinion that 200 feet could be used as storage and then additional footage could be used for display and sales and he would view this as being in line with the ordinance . Chairman Aron said that he did not wish to argue with the Zoning Enforcement Officer but the area in question was all open space and if the space were separated by a partition it would be a different situation . Chairman Aron asked if Attorney Barney concurred and Attorney Barney responded that he did . Mr . Frost said that in reading Section 19 , Article 2 of the ordinance customary home occupations would be allowed in R30 districts provided that among other things that there are no goods or products publicly displayed . Chairman Aron stated that there was no mention of antique shops . He further stated that he would have difficulty granting a variance since that variance would stay with the property and when the property was sold it would be sold with the variance attached . Mrs . Morse asked if could be terminated with the sale and Chairman Aron responded it could not . Mrs . Morse inquired whether it could be granted specifically for an antique shop . Chairman Aron then stated that personally he was very hard - pressed to grant a variance at all since there was no hardship whatsoever proven since both Mr . and Mrs . Morse were both employed and not needful of extra income and this was only a hobby on the part of Mrs . Morse , Attorney Barney asked about the zip stripping and whether it created an odor . Mrs . Morse responded that window s should be opened for safety to the person using it but that it would not be injurious to others in the area and the odor would not carry very far . Chairman Aron interjected that there was a warning on the cans and although it did not give the ingredients there were chemicals in the compound and if used in a closed room it can be hazardous to your health . Attorney Barney asked if it was a situation where the neighbors should be concerned about the odor and Mrs . Morse responded that it was not a problem . Mrs . Morse addressed the matter of this being a hobby with her and stated that although it was a hobby at this time in the future she wished to have additional family and then she would like to be at home with them and then it would not be a hobby . Mr . King said that in the past the Board occasionally had found a way to avoid granting a variance which would change the character of the property and that in the case of a, customary home occupation they might grant a permit as long as the • occupation was a low - key one but in the event it strayed from this and there were too many people coming in and too much traffic then it could be rescinded . Mr . King felt this kind of • 9 decision would do justice to everyone concerned . Attorney Barney stated that under Section 77 , paragraph 8 , the Board may impose upon the applicant such reasonable conditions so as to protect the general welfare of the community . Attorney Barney felt that if the Board chose to grant the variance it could be structured with the strictest limitations imposed upon it adopting the language relating to home occupations such as , square footage limitations , no employees , no odors , no outdoor displays , a sign of very limited size , etc . Attorney Barney further added that this would go with the property and if someone else bought the property they would be under the same strict limitations . Mr . King stated that he felt that this was a barn of some extensive square footage that if allowed to become an eyesore would be detrimental to the neighborhood . He went on to say that only allowing 200 square feet of this barn to be used as a home occupation was silly . Mr . King felt that he would like to see the barn used as a home occupation under strict limitations and if they were not met then the Morses would have to cease and desist from continuing the operation . • Mr . Morse agreed with this saying that if the neighbors felt at any time that the business was getting out of hand they would want them to speak out . The public hearing was then again opened . Ginger DeKay of 130 Enfield Falls Road questioned the parking problem . She stated that if they had more than four people there at one time it appeared that they would have to park on the street . Chairman Aron stated that on - street parking was illegal and they could not do that anyway . Mrs . DeKay inquired where the people would park if there were more than four people at one time . Mr . Morse said they planned on paving the driveway and they could fit up to six cars in the driveway and that sometimes she and Mr . Morse parked in front of the barn which would make for more room for other cars so they did not see this as a problem . Mr . Bergman stated that the barn is in fact now being used as there are horses in the barn on the lower floor . He stated that last year there were eleven or so horses in the barn . Chairman Aron inquired how many horses were being harbored in the barn now and Mrs . Morse responded that there were eight , some of which were theirs and some of which belonged to other people . • Chairman Aron asked if they received remuneration for this and Mrs . Morse responded they did receive minor remuneration . Ruth Miller 216 Enfield Falls Road was concerned about the • 10 fire danger because on the same level of the anticipated shop there has always been storage of hay for whatever animals were on the lower level . Mrs . Miller said that she was worried about the inflammable materials used in the antique shop business being so close to the hay which could cause a flash fire . Mr . Thomas Farrell of 151 Enfield Falls Road stated that the work that Mr . , and Mrs . Morse had done on the barn had prevented it from caving in which would have caused an eyesore in the neighborhood . He went on to say that as far as the horses were concerned he lived right next door to the Morses so therefore had 90 % of the flies caused by the horses , and also was affected more by the smell . He continued that the number of horses had gone down and Mr . and Mrs . Morse plan to allow only a certain 1 or 2 neighbors to board horses there and the number would go down further if the antique shop were allowed to exist . Mr . Frost at this time stated that to get back to the question of dangerous materials , he felt that a couple of cans of zip strip would not be that hazardous . As to the environmental assessment Edward King made a motion as follows . • This Board moves that based upon the findings and recommendations of the environmental reviewer , Susan Beeners , we find a negative determination of environmental significance provided that any use of this nature is controlled and limited as has been recommended . Edward Austen seconded the motion . The voting was as follows : Aye - Aron , Reuning , Austen , Hewett , King Nay - None The motion was carried . As to the matter of the variance Joan Reuning said that she would like to see the variance terminate with the ownership of the property and wondered if this was possible . Attorney Barney stated that a stipulation could be put in that the variance ends with the transfer of the property . As to the variance , a motion was made by Edward King as follows : • RESOLVED , that this Board grant a variance to Mr . and Mrs . Morse to permit the limited preparation of antiques as has been presented upon the understanding that it will be • 11 conducted with adherence to the usual home occupation rules outlined in Section 19 , Subdivision 2 of the ordinance , except as to the square footage requirement ; and it is further RESOLVED , that there will be no outside display or storage of materials ; and it is further RESOLVED , that the operation can be conducted within a 500 square foot area of the barn ; and it is further RESOLVED , any sign used shall be a simple one in compliance with the ordinance ; and it is further RESOLVED , that if the Zoning Enforcement Officer should find that this operation has extended beyond that of occasional sales and a non - factory occupation , then the matter be reviewed by this Board with the understanding that the conditional variance could be modified or revoked ; and it is further RESOLVED , that because of the findings by this Board that the hardship in this case is personal to Mr . and Mrs . Morse • and not to the property , this variance will term10 inate upon the sale of the property by Mr . and Mrs . Morse , Edward Austen seconded the motion . The voting was as follows : Aye - King , Reuning , Austen , Hewett , Nay - Aron The motion was carried . There being no further business to come before the Board , the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 30 p . m . Respectfully submitted , Beatrice Lincoln Recording Secretary Appro d • • Henry ,Aron , Chairman Exhibits 1 and 2 attached We the residents of lower Enfield Falls Rood are opposed to the establishment of a retail or wholesale business such as selling antiques , handicrafts or refinishing furniture at 157 Enfield Falls Road , Ithaca , N . Y . NAME ADDRESS DATE OF Y _ :e7 t. /�] r...... OA , )- 4C /L >1 C� � ,,. . .�..- . ;ilk'/o. �' ^ ; 'c�'�-•, ,�'.C'` , �^ V ��. � � _�!l l i�G 674 / • JQ M/ • PART II - Environmental . Assessment - Morse Appeal A . Action is Unlisted . B . Action will receive coordinated review ( Tompkins County . . Planning Dept . ) C . Could action result in any adverse effects on , to or arising from the following : C1 . Existing air quality , surface or. ` groundwater quality or quantity , noise levels , existing traffic patterns , solid waste producti.on . or' disposal , potential for erosion ,. drainage or flooding problems ? No significant impact is expected to these factors . No major exterior alterations are proposed . Access to the site is via a one -way roadway pair at the lower entrance to Robert Treman. State Park from Enfield Falls Road Parking is adequate for the proposed use . Applicant proposes to limit the use of products which would cause a hazard or nuisance in.... the area . C2 . Aesthetic , agricultural , archeological , historic , or other natural or cultural resources , or community or neighborhood character ? The proposed use would have no significant impact . on these factors . The adaptive reuse proposed for the barn would allow limited public access to a historically significant property . • Per the materials submitted by the applicant , the Finger Lakes State Parks Commission has been informed of this proposal and has no objection to the proposed use . It is recommended that any potential future exterior alterations or improvements , such as signage , be designed to be compatible with the signage and landscaping of the park . C3 . Vegetation or fauna , movement of fish or wildlife species , significant habitats , or threatened or endangered species ? No significant impact is expected . No site alterations are ffect existing mature vegetation on planned that would adversely a the property . There are no significant natural habitat' s on the site . C4 . A community ' s existing plans or goals as officially adopted , or a change in . use or intensity of -use of land or other natural resources ? The proposed use is essentially a home occupation , aside from the amount of building space involved , and is a feasible use for a barn which once saw more intensive use as part of an active farm , and which now has limited possibilities for reuse . The refurbishing and sale of antiques as proposed , with limited hours , is desirable at the entrance to a State park . C5 . Growth ; subsequent development , or related activities likely to be induced by the proposed action ? No significant growth or subsequent development ic, proposed at this time , and any potential future development would be isubject to further review . The State Parks Commission , as an abutting landowner , would be apprised of any subsequent development proposals . C6 . Secondary , cumulative , or other . effects not identified , in Cl -C6 ? Not . expec, ted . Any potential future development along Enfield Falls Road should be evaluated carefully for its compatibility with the historic and scenic character of the area . C7 . A change in use of either quantity or type of energy ? Not expected . PART III A negative determination of environmental significance is recommended . The proposal essentially conforms to the intent of the Zoning Ordinance , and represents the feasible reuse of an important barn . No exterior alterations are currently proposed . The hours of operation and public access are proposed to be limited to low thresholds of activity . Applicant has obtained approvals from adjoining property owners . Lead Agency : Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals • Reviewer : Susan Co Beeners , Town Planner Review Date : March 3 , 1987 •