TOWN OF REDDING
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 20, 2007—8:00 P.M.
TOWN HALL HEARING ROOM
Present:
Philip Bronson, Chairman
Andrea Cotton
Colleen Litoff
Robert Morton
Alternates:
Heloise Fahan
Bruce Given
Michael Thompson
Also present: Tom Gormley, Zoning Enforcement Officer
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
REGULAR APPLICATIONS:
0307-1: 142 Seventy Acres Road, Pools By Murphy, Applicant: Request variance to Sec. 4.6 Item 5(b), and Sec. 3.9(b), to grant an additional half foot for a pool and 6.40 feet for the patio/deck area.
This is a 3.12 acre lot, with the home located near the back portion of the lot. The septic and well location and abundant rock formations leave no other are to place the pool. The proposed project is a 20 foot by 30 foot pool and deck. A prior variance had been granted on July 18, 2006 for 15 feet. Measurements taken from an outcropping of rocks were not appropriately taken resulting in an inaccurate measurement.
Mr. Bronson said that prior to the original variance being granted, on his site walk he had pointed out to the property owner that consideration needed to be given to the rock area.
0307-2: 26 Deacon Abbott Road, Martin and Ellen Abrams, Applicants: Request appeal to Zoning Enforcement officers decision that scrap pile is not in violation of Sec. 5.3.9(a), and 5.3.9(d) and 5.3.6.
Mr. Abrams maintains that a scrap pile on this property adjacent to his contains scrap lumber that is in plain view. The pile of lumber is covered with a green plastic tarp. Mr. Abrams said that the pile is approximately 50 feet long, 8-9 feet high and 5-6 feet wide, and is equivalent to approximately 100 cords of wood. The applicant claims this is a health hazard, and decreases his property value.
The applicant said that the property owner removed an acre of healthy trees from his own property, and replaced it with the resulting pile of lumber. The character of the applicant’s property was changed.
The property owner, Joe Dillalo, was also present at the meeting. Mr. Dillalo said that trees were taken down from the middle of the property. There is an approximate 50 foot section of wooded area between the two properties that was not cut. Mr. Dillalo’s son in law occupies the property, and burns the wood that was cut. He maintains that the wood is piled neatly, and is covered with the tarp so as to stay dry. The land had originally been cleared to afford space for children to utilize the back yard. In response to a question from Mr. Bronson as to how much wood is there, Mr. Dillalo could not say. It was determined to be no more than 10 cords.
Mr. Gormley stated that the sections of the regulations sited were not pertinent to this situation. He maintained that the wood pile is neatly cut and at least 50 feet from the property line. Mr. Gormley pointed out that in Redding, a property owner can clear up to an acre of land in a twelve month period if it is not intensive clearing.
0307-3: 173 Sunset Hill Road, Rose Baldwin, And Owner: Request variance to Sec 4.6.5(a), reduce front yard setback 42 feet from 50 feet and 4.6.5(b), and reduce side yard setback from 40 feet to 16.5 feet, for an addition.
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin presented the application to the Board. Mr. Baldwin said that the existing structure is in greater violation of the regulations than the proposed addition will be. The new structure will not be closer to the road than the existing structure.
The height of the proposed structure will be the same of that as the existing structure, and will not be visible from the road.
Upon a motion by Mr. Given, seconded by Mr. Thompson, the Board voted unanimously to enter deliberative session at 9:00 P.M.
DELIBERATIVE SESSION:
0307-1: 142 Seventy Acres Road
Upon a motion by Mr. Given, seconded by Ms. Litoff, the Board voted 5-0 to deny this application based on the presence of a self inflicted hardship.
0307-2: 26 Deacon Abbott Road
Upon a motion by Mr. Bronson, seconded by Mr. Morton, the Board voted 5-0 to uphold the decision of the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
0307-3: 173 Sunset Hill Road
Upon a motion by Ms. Cotton, seconded by Mr. Morton, the Board voted 5-0 to grant the variance based on topographical hardship.
Upon a motion made by Ms. Cotton, and seconded by Mr. Morton, the Board voted unanimously to exit deliberative session at 9:20 P.M.
Upon a motion made by Ms. Cotton, and seconded by Ms. Litoff, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:20 P.M.
These minutes have not been approved by the ZBA.
Submitted by vaz 3/23/2007
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