TOWN OF REDDING
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2007—8:00 P.M.
TOWN HALL HEARING ROOM
Present:
Philip Bronson, Chairman
Colleen Litoff
Robert Morton
Michael Thompson
Beth Williams
Alternates: Henry Polio
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
REGULAR APPLICATIONS:
1107-1: 75 Sanfordtown Road, Anthony Siciliano, Owner: Request variance to Sec 4.6, subsection 5(a) and 5(b), minimum front and side yard setbacks.
Mr. Siciliano presented the application to the Board. This property consists of two adjoining parcels that were subdivided in 1984. At that time, the minimum required side setback was 25 feet and minimum front setback was 50 feet. Mr. Siciliano has paid taxes accordingly for one improved building lot and one approved building lot. In 2006 two temporary structures were erected, one being in the front yard setback. Mr. Siciliano would like to erect a 24 foot square building to the north side of an existing 24’ X 36’ barn. He requests a variance for the front yard setback for the temporary structure and a variance for the side yard setback for the proposed structure.
The Zoning Commission attorney and the Conservation Committee attorney are not in agreement as to what the outcome of a variance would be.
Mr. Siciliano said that he at first wanted to change the property line in order to conform with current regulations. When he consulted Land Use, and was told that if the line was changed, Mr. Siciliano would lose his “grandfathered” status and the sidelines would become 40 feet. In doing this, he would lose some approved building area in the second lot. Mr. Siciliano consulted the Zoning Enforcement Officer on the same issue and was told that moving the property line would not do anything. Mr. Siciliano asked for clarification as to which Town agency is giving accurate information.
Mr. Siciliano reported that the Town has been doing drainage work on Sanfordtown Road, to alleviate water issues on his property. Mr. Siciliano has agreed to allow the Town an easement across his property so that pipe can be installed for this project. This will eventually decrease the amount of water coming onto his property from Sherman Turnpike. Until then, there are water issues on his property, making it difficult to put the proposed structure in any other area.
Mr. Bronson suggested adding onto the existing barn instead of erecting a new structure, and Mr. Siciliano said that he would prefer not to do that. Mr. Siciliano said that he might be willing to change the footprint of the new structure to 20’ X 24’ to clear the 25 foot setback. If he can get a variance for the temporary shelters, he could plan on the proposed building and re-design it to fit the setback requirements. At that point, the temporary shelters can be taken down. They are presently housing two vehicles that will go into the new structure.
The septic systems for both lots are on the Sanfordtown Road side of the property.
1107-2: 42 Fire Hill Road, Jaime and Catherine Fernandez, Owners: Request variance to Sec 4.6, Side yard setback, reduce left side yard setback from 40 feet to 30 feet and reduce right side yard setback from 40 to 25 feet.
Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez presented the application to the Board. The septic is located in the front of the property and the well is located in the back. There is no garage and the house is approximately 1,175 feet. The size of the lot is less than 1 acre. Mr. Fernandez plans an addition to the house. The current bedrooms are very small. Because of the age of the house, built in 1952, adding a second floor would not be possible as the existing structure could not support a second floor. He provided plans for the new addition. The road is maintained and managed by the Town of Ridgefield and was recently paved. No part of Mr. Fernandez’s property is in Ridgefield.
Mrs. Fernandez read a letter of support from neighbors Thomas and Catherine Sheehan, 40 Fire Hill Road, into the record.
Deliberative Session
The Board voted unanimously to enter Deliberative Session at 8:34 p.m.
1107-1: 75 Sanfordtown Road, Anthony Siciliano, Owner:
After careful consideration, the Board decided that there would be two separate motions to address this issue.
Upon a motion by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Thompson, the Board voted unanimously to allow the addition to the barn to meet the 25 foot setback requirement.
Upon motion by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Morton, the Board voted unanimously to grant a variance to the front yard setback for a period of 1(one) year for the temporary structure, to be removed by November 20, 2008.
1107-2: 42 Fire Hill Road, Jaime and Catherine Fernandez, Owners:
After careful consideration, the Board decided that due to the locations of the well and septic field and close proximity of the house to the sidelines presented a topographical hardship.
Upon a motion by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Morton, the Board voted unanimously to grant the requested variance to the left side yard setback from 40 feet to 30 feet and right side yard setback from 40 to 25 feet based on topographical hardship.
The Board voted unanimously to exit Deliberative Session at 8:44 p.m.
Upon motion of Ms. Williams, seconded by Ms. Litoff, the Board voted unanimously to re-elect Mr. Bronson as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Upon motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Bronson, the Board voted unanimously to elect Ms. Williams as Vice Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Upon a motion made by Mr. Morton, and seconded by Ms. Williams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:46 P.M.
These minutes have not been approved by the ZBA.
Submitted by vaz 11/26/2007
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