MINUTES OF ZBA MEETING                                                                            

Date:  June 13, 2007

Town Hall - 5910 Sacandaga Road

Galway, New York 12074                                

 

Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Acting Chair, Tim Bogdan.  Clerk called the roll

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Herb Kopper, Tim Bogdan, Brian Hendrie and Tom Thomson

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Jon Hallgren (excused)

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Carol DeLorme, Clerk; and, George Weed, town board liaison.  Two people in the audience

 

PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Mr. Bogdan reviewed the purpose and procedure of the Zoning Board of Appeals and reviewed the criteria for granting an area variance.  Mr. Bogdan also explained that, while four members present constitute a quorum, a tie vote would be considered a rejection.  Therefore, anyone wishing to postpone review of their application until all members are present may do so.  No one expressed an interest in postponing. 

 

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

All members of the Board previously reviewed the minutes of the May 9, 2007 meeting.  Motion by Brian Hendrie to approve the minutes.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  Voice vote:  All ayes.  Approved as presented. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED by Chair @ 7:33 P.M.

 

Clerk read the legal notice as it appeared in the Daily Gazette on 6/04/07

 

Application #07-008 – Re-application of Bradley Johnson and John and Elizabeth Rowe for variances required to construct a new cottage with an attached deck and detached garage at less than the required setbacks on property located at 9440 Hart “B” Road in the Lake District, Town of Galway, tax parcel #185.18-1-13

Mr. Johnson and Mr. Rowe were present.  Mr. Rowe presented the application, referencing a letter submitted by the applicants (dated 6/1/07 – copy attached and in file), which outlines changes made from their original application.  Project would require two variances:  one off the south side property line and one on the west.  Applicants also previously submitted a surveyed plot plan.   Comments from Audience:  Tony LaCosta (neighbor – west side, across the road) – “All for” the project.  However, asked if they are 100’ from the lake and 100’ for all wells (all around them).  Stated this is his only concern.  Mr. LaCosta was given a copy of the plot plan to review.  Following review, Mr. LaCosta took issue with the proposed septic system location, stating that it is not in compliance with [state] code.  Don Castor – Asked questions relative to ZBA’s authority/responsibility to review and/or approve septic designs.  Lively discussion took place.  Acting Chair summed up conversation by stating that the ZBA will proceed with discussion relative to the variances for the structures only.  Septic system design/approval is not a function of this board; that is a responsibility of the building/code enforcement officer.  However, any variances granted can be contingent upon the applicants satisfying all state septic system regulations (per the ruling of the code enforcement officer).  Tom Thomson agreed.  Board should note that it feels there may be a problem regarding well/septic system separation (bring it to the attention of code enforcement officer).  Herb Kopper also agreed.  Discussion of requested variances continued.  House (drip line) will be 13’ off the north property line and 15’ off west side (no variance needed there).  Garage will be 6’ off the west side property line (13’ with the road) and 5’ off the south side (also from the drip line).  John Wisniewski (neighbor across the road) – Stated issues with 6’ setback.  Tim Bogdan pointed out that applicants could rebuild in exact footprint, which puts the house only 3’ off the property line.  Therefore, proposal is an improvement over pre-existing conditions.  Regarding garage roof height – standard height (14 - 15’ at peak).  Noted: One letter of notification (addressed to Hart’s Point, Inc.) returned as undeliverable. No other questions/comments.

 

Application #07-009 – Application of Walter Behrens for variances required for walk way decking associated with the construction of a replacement structure on property located at 1282 Hermance Road in the Lake District, Town of Galway, tax parcel #185.10-1-48

Mr. and Mrs. Behrens were present.  Currently renovating a house on the property.  Entrance is currently on the side of the house.  Want to move it to the front (to allow access from the driveway).  Proposal is to construct an elevated, covered walkway from the front of the house to the back of the house – east side of the house, 6’ 8” from the drip line to the property line.  Basically what they already have there – just elevated.  Noted:  Nothing received, pro or con, from neighbor to the east.  Mr. Behrens reported that he spoke with them, however, and they have no objection.  No further questions/comments. 

 

Application #07-010 – Application of Garry and Patricia Silk for an area variance to allow subdivision of 5.94 acres into two lots, creating a 3.01-acre lot for a new residence and leaving 2.93 acres for the existing house located at 1083 Kania Road, Town of Galway, tax parcels #s 210.-1-14.2 and 210.-1-14.12

Mr. Silk was present and explained their application.  Own 5.94 acres parcel on Kania Road (combined acreage of two lots).  Would like to subdivide out a 3.01-acre lot to convey to their daughter to build on.  The subdivision would result in the parent parcel being substandard size at 2.93 acres.  The Silks have an application pending before the Planning Board.  However, PB cannot grant final approval unless the ZBA grants an area variance for the creation of a substandard size lot.  No variances would be required for any of the structures (new or existing).  Frontage requirements can be easily met (for both lots).  Noted: Minimal variance necessary; minimal impact on the neighborhood. 

 

Motion by Herb Kopper to close the public hearing.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  Voice Vote:  All ayes.  Motion carried.  Public hearing closed – 8:00 p.m. 

 

PUBLIC MEETING

 

Motion by Herb Kopper that all three of tonight’s applications (#07-008, 07-009, and 07-010) fall under the Type II list of SEQR and no further action under SEQR is required.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  Roll call vote:  All ayes – Motion carried. 

 

Application #07-008 … Bradley Johnson and John and Elizabeth Rowe … Tax parcel #185.18-1-13

Motion by Brian Hendrie to grant Bradley Johnson and John/Elizabeth Rowe (application #07-008) a 20’ side lot variance on the south side property line and a 9’ side lot variance on the west side property line for a detached garage, as well as a 12’ side lot variance from the north side property line for a new camp (no other variances needed for the camp -- all measurements are from the drip line of the structures) on property located at 9440 Hart “B” Road in the Lake District, town of Galway, tax parcel #185.18-1-13, as per revised plot plan submitted 5/22/07 and narrative dated 6/1/07, with the stipulation that the septic system be reviewed/approved by the code enforcement officer and, according to his determination, meets all current state and/or local code requirements.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  No further discussion.  Roll call vote:  Tim Bogdan, yes; Tom Thomson, yes; Herb Kopper, yes; and, Brian Hendrie, yes.  Motion carried.  GRANTED THREE (3) VARIANCES 

 

Application #07-009 … Walter Behrens … Tax parcel #185.10-1-48

Variance needed on east side property line only.  No adverse affect on neighborhood.  No significant impact.  Motion by Tom Thomson to grant Walter Behrens an 18.2’ side lot variance on the east side property line (from the drip edge of the structure) for an attached, covered walkway on a house located at 1282 Hermance Road in the Lake District, town of Galway, tax parcel #185.10-1-48, as per plot plan/drawing submitted 05/01/07.  Seconded by Brian Hendrie.  Roll call vote:  All ayes.  Motion carried.  GRANTED AN 18.2’ VARIANCE, EAST SIDE PROPERTY LINE.

 

Application #07-010 … Garry & Patricia Silk … Tax parcels #s 210.-1-14.2 (5.41 acres) and 210.-1-14.12 (0.56 acres)

Very minimal variance being requested.  Lot pre-existed current 3-acre requirement.  New lot will be 3 acres.  Mr. Silk confirmed that the .056-acre parcel (210.-1-14.12) is factored into the total 5.94 acres.  He will be requesting an annexation of the two parcels and then subdivision when he returns to the Planning Board.  Motion by Herb Kopper to grant Garry and Patricia Silk an area variance to allow the creation of a substandard size lot of 2.93 acres (for an existing house), which would result from the subdivision of a 3.01-acre lot from the total 5.94 acres located at 1083 Kania Road, town of Galway, tax parcel #s 210.-1-14.2 and 210.-1-14.12, as per plot plan submitted 05/03/07, subsequent to final approval for annexation/subdivision being granted by the Town of Galway Planning Board.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  Roll call vote:  All ayes.  Motion carried.  AREA VARIANCE GRANTED

Mr. Silk asked if board knew of any Fanny Mae accredited appraisers.  Board did not.  Suggested he contact town tax assessor, Tracy Killeen, who might know. 

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – None requested

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS – Acting Chair acknowledged, with regret, the resignation of Tom Thomson

 

 

Motion to adjourn by Tom Thomson.  Seconded by Herb Kopper. Voice Vote:  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Carol L. DeLorme, Clerk

06/27/08