MINUTES OF ZBA MEETING                                                                                                              

Date:  May 9, 2007

Town Hall - 5910 Sacandaga Road

Galway, New York 12074                                 

 

Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair, Jon Hallgren.  Clerk called the roll:

 

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

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None

 

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

 

PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Chair Hallgren reviewed the purpose and procedure of the Zoning Board of Appeals and reviewed the criteria for granting an area variance. 

 

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

All members of the Board previously reviewed the minutes of the April 11, 2007 meeting.  Motion by Brian Hendrie to approve the minutes.  Seconded by Tim Bogdan.  Voice vote:  All ayes.  Approved as presented. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED by Chair @ 7:32 P.M.

 

Clerk read the legal notice as it appeared in the Daily Gazette on 4/30/07

 

Application #07-007– Re-application of Drew Roeters for area variances required to construct a new year-round home, 24’ w x 86’ long (including an attached garage) with a 24’ w x 15’ long deck on the lake side, on property located at 1379 Point Road in the Lake District, Town of Galway, tax parcel #198.06-1-27

Mr. Roeters was present to explain his application.  Additional length (from original proposal) is in the garage area to allow space for workshop, storage, etc.  “Won’t be one long building” - will have different rooflines (garage roof will be lower) to help break up the expanse.  (Drawings were submitted with original application – in file.)  House will be two-story.  Brief discussion regarding height of building.  Applicant advised board that total height will be within allowable limits.  Board advised applicant that it cannot exceed 28’ in elevation from highest point of ground.  In response to questions from Brian Hendrie, Mr. Roeters reported there will not be a side chimney (as depicted in drawings) – will actually have a gas fireplace with an interior exhaust pipe.  Board also advised Mr. Roeters that the distances to the property lines must be from the drip lines of the roof (also discussed at previous meetings with Mr. Roeters).  Discussion regarding the proposed deck.  Noted lakefront is angled.  As variances are not being requested for the deck, applicant will need to maintain the required 50’ setback from the lake at any point.  Therefore, entire structure will need to be pushed back, further away from the lake.  Mr. Roeters indicated agreement with this.  Comments from board regarding length of the structure, with concerns over the length specifically expressed by Tim Bogdan and Jon Hallgren.  Tim Bogdan – realistically could decrease it by 10 to 15’ in length (supposed to grant the minimum amount of variance needed); however length isn’t an issue.  Jon Hallgren – Same concerns – However, likes the fact that it gets broken up by width variance on garage, smaller entrance area and roofline changes.  Helps to keep it within character of the neighborhood.  Feels structure that gets built should be as depicted in the drawings presented [with the application].  Comments from Audience – Tony LaCosta (neighbor) – Offered remarks regarding the requirement that the “well must be 100’ from the high water mark”.  Later corrected himself, stating he meant “the septic leach field” must be 100’ from high water mark.  Chair responded that minutes will reflect his stated concerns, but matter is under the purview of the code enforcement officer.  (Also noted - septic is proposed to be in the rear of the lot.)  Herb Kopper – Noted concerns expressed by next-door-neighbor (Faye Thompson) during previous application regarding how the project will be done.  Her specific concern is that the house and garage will not be built at the same time; that the garage will be built first and then, maybe, at some point the house will be added to it.  Herb felt board should address that concern.  Chair – Believes building permit requires that construction be completed within one year.  Also zoning prohibits construction of a garage without a primary residence.  Minutes to reflect that board feels house and garage project should be completed at same time.  Mr. Roeters indicated his understanding and agreement.  No correspondence received this time.  No further discussion/comments. 

 

Motion by Tim Bogdan to close the public hearing.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  Voice Vote:  All ayes.  Motion carried.  Public hearing closed – 7:52 p.m. 

 

 

 

PUBLIC MEETING

 

Motion by Brian Hendrie that application #07-007 (application of Drew Roeters) falls under the Type II list of SEQR.  Therefore, no further action under SEQR is required.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  Voice vote:  All ayes – Motion carried.  Chair recapped that request is for two side lot variances.  Proposed structure is 86’ long with an additional 15’ of deck on the lake side.  Proposed building is long, but otherwise does not affect the character of the neighborhood.  Improvement on the property.  Will upgrade well and septic.  No other comments.  Motion by Tim Bogdan to grant Drew Roeters’ request for two side lot variances: an 18’ setback variance (from the drip line) on the east side property line and an 8’ setback variance (also from the drip line) on the west side property line for construction of a 24’ wide x 86’ long house (including an attached garage) with an additional 24’ wide x 15’ long deck on the lake side of the house, on the property located at 1379 Point Road in the Lake District, town of Galway, tax parcel #198.06-1-27, with the following contingencies:  a) that construction is to be as depicted in plans/prints submitted with this application (i.e., that the extended distance of the structure is in the garage area – extending the garage, not the house); b) that the house and garage are to be constructed at the same time; c) that applicant will maintain the required 50’ setback from the lake at any point on the lake side; and, d) that the height of the structure will not exceed 28’ from the high point of the ground.  Seconded by Tom Thomson.  No further discussion.  Roll call vote:  Jon Hallgren, yes; Tim Bogdan, yes; Tom Thomson, yes; Herb Kopper, yes; Brian Hendrie, yes.  Motion carried.  GRANTED TWO AREA VARIANCES; 18’ ON EAST SIDE – 8’ ON WEST SIDE. 

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – None requested

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Tim Bogdan will chair the June meeting.

 

Jon Hallgren reported back on questions presented to Mark Concilla after last month’s meeting regarding: 1) Surveyed plot plans for all applications (especially in the Lake District), and Mark needs to determine the exact setbacks and amount of variance(s) being requested on all applications – Didn’t get a commitment from him.  However, indicated he understood what the board is looking for.  2) His attending meetings and/or providing a narrative – He doesn’t really know what to put in a narrative.  Until he is told he must attend meetings on a regular basis, if we have a special request, he can work with it.  Also would be willing to answer questions prior to a meeting.  Can call him directly.  Herb Kopper countered that sometimes questions only arise at the meeting (i.e., last month’s questions over septic system that was reportedly reviewed/approved by Mark) – Can’t always anticipate what questions might be.  3) Piers - Are acceptable in NYS (per NYS code).  Mark’s interpretation is that full foundation requirement is relative to mobile homes.  4) “Hotdog stand” at Fish House/Rt. 29 (board does not think it received a site plan review) - Didn’t have time to discuss it, but will try again. 

 

Herb Kopper – Commented on proposed café at ‘little strip mall’ on Rt 147.  Clerk reported that, to date, matter has not been presented to the Planning Board for review.  Herb – Wondered if it should be – change in use (from video store).  Also in response to comments from Herb, neither has the liquor store in that plaza been reviewed by PB. 

 

Re:  New application form - Clerk has prepared a new application form, which was then reviewed by the board.  Some changes/modifications were offered by members and will be made.  Next, will pass it by Mark for his comments.  George Weed reported that town board is “all for it”(new forms).  Suggested passing it by them prior to implementing its use. 

 

Tom Thomson – Reported he will moving out of the town July 1; therefore, will need to resign from the board.  Can attend June meeting, however.  Chair thanked him for his service and acknowledged his valued participation. 

 

Chair reported to George Weed that Brian McCormick (Dean Lung Road) has expressed an interest in participating in some town activities. 

 

Motion to adjourn by Tim Bogdan.  Seconded by Brian Hendrie. Voice Vote:  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Carol L. DeLorme, Clerk

05/14/07