RECEIVED OCTOBER 26, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
TOWN OF REDDING
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 20, 2009—8:00 P.M.
TOWN HALL HEARING ROOM
Present:
Philip Bronson, Chairman
Beth Williams
Robert Morton
Colleen Litoff
Michael Thompson
Alternates: Bruce Given, Henry Polio, Paul Scholl
Also present: Robert Flanagan, Zoning Enforcement Officer
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
On recommendation of Mr. Bronson, Ms. Williams made a motion to move Discussion and Administrative Matters to be addressed before Deliberative Session. Mr. Morton seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
REGULAR APPLICATIONS:
1009-1:21 Deer Spring Road, Philip J LoPresti, Sr., Owner/Applicant: Request for variance to Sec 5.12.3(b), allow square footage to exceed maximum allowance for expansion of existing room.
Mr. LoPresti and his builder, Scott Meyer, presented the additional documentation requested by the ZBA at their September meeting. Mr. LoPresti briefly reviewed his application. The approximate square footage is 700 square feet, already greater than the 600 square feet allowed by regulations, and the proposed is 1,176 square feet. The area exists over a 4 bay garage in a carriage house. Mr. LoPresti proposes to raise the roof approximately 8 feet. Ms. Litoff asked if the existing foundation will support the weight of an addition. The room size will increase to 18’8” X 27’5”. Mr. Meyer said that there will de work done to expand the footprint sufficient to meet the support needs of the foundation.
1009-2: 66 Seventy Acres Road, Louis and Debra Latham, Owners/Applicants: Request variance
To reduce the westerly site line requirement from 250 feet to 220 feet to permit use as a common driveway for two lots.
Attorney Neil Marcus presented the application to the Board and answered their questions. Attorney Marcus explained that there is a slight crest in the road at 230 feet from the driveway in the west. If the driveway is moved to the east, an historic stonewall will be disturbed and this is an undesirable option. There is also an existing septic area that should be avoided.
Discussion/Administrative Matters
-Application fees
Mr. Flanagan addressed the Board with regard to Land Use Application fees. The amount has doubled and is now $60 per application as of October 1, 2009. The funds support water and soil conservation projects. The $60 will be added to the fees currently charged for ZBA variance applications and applications for corrective variances.
-Letter received from Michael Calise with regard to 0508-2, 3 Main Street
Mr. Calise explained that he owns the property at 3 Main Street and came before the Board in May 2008 requesting a variance for parking in a retail zone. The footprint is slightly over 600 square feet. The least intensive use is a proposed beauty salon, approved by the Sewer Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission, subject to resolving parking issues. There are no parking spaces on site but a piece of state owned land that has been used as a parking lot for this building. This parcel is in the business center zone, and when Mr. Calise requested relief from the regulations requiring onsite parking, the Board’s decision was to not act on the request due to lack of direction on the part of the Planning Commission or Zoning Enforcement Officer for Mr. Calise to appear before the ZBA to get the approval. After
the fact, Mr. Calise discovered that on February 27th, 2008, the Planning Commission minutes indicate that the Planning Commission direct Mr. Calise to appear before the ZBA and request relief from the parking regulations. At the time of their decision, the ZBA was unaware of this directive. Mr. Calise asked that the ZBA reconsider their decision based on this new information. Mr. Bronson explained that a decision could not be made on this matter at this meeting, as the item was not publicly noticed as an application, only as a discussion item on the agenda. It was suggested to Mr. Calise to re-submit an application for variance for future consideration.
Upon motion of Ms. Williams and second of Mr. Morton, the Board entered Deliberative Session at 8:56 p.m.
21 Deer Spring Road- Ms. Litoff, Mr. Bronson, Mr. Scholl, Ms. Williams and Mr. Thompson were seated to vote on this item. After discussion and consideration, Ms. Williams made the motion and Mr. Morton seconded, to deny the request to allow the square footage to exceed the maximum allowance, based on lack of hardship. Motion carried unanimous to deny.
66 Seventy Acres Road- After discussion and consideration, Mr. Morton made the motion and Mr. Polio seconded to grant the request for variance from 250 feet to 220 feet, based on topographic hardship. Motion carried unanimous to grant.
Upon motion of Ms. Williams and second of Ms. Litoff, the Board voted to exit deliberative session at 9:08 p.m.
Mr. Bronson announced that this would be his last meeting as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and that he would not seek re-election. Mr. Bronson has served over 17 years on the ZBA. He encouraged the board members to continue to be consistent and fair. Mr. Morton pointed out that Mr. Bronson had served the Board admirably, speaking to his knowledge, flexibility, fairness and adherence to the regulations he knows so well, and wanted it part of the record that the Town show a gesture of recognition for his service.
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:20 p.m.
These minutes have not been approved by the ZBA.
Submitted by vak 10/26/09
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