Zoning Board Meeting Notes, 6-11-2010

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting

June 11, 2010

PRESENT: A. Caracciola, W. Cathcart, A. Kaplan, S. Moore, C. Otton, G. Szetela, P. Tribulski, and A. Catanese, Solicitor

PRESIDING: W. Cathcart

MINUTES: The minutes of May 14, 2010 were approved as circulated.

RESOLUTIONS: Case 779-2010 and 771-2009 were adopted.

HEARING:

780-2010 Mrs. Jane Hoy represented the petitioners Mr. Robert and Mrs. Judith Celli for the revision of plans for 275-277 94^th Street a side-by-side duplex that had sustained major fire damage. 

Mr. Carmen Larosa, Architect testified that the plans had been revised from those presented at last month’s meeting by limiting the height of the garage to 7’8’’ and the storage shed to 7’6”. A gambrel roof was added to the storage shed. In addition, the 2^nd floor roof had been redesigned to have the gambrel roof come further down over the second floor. The basement has been eliminated providing off street parking for four cars and there was no decrease of street parking spaces. The lot coverage remains at 37%.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ms. P. DeMarco, a neighbor, spoke in favor of the revisions because of the elimination of non-conformities and the increase in parking spaces.

Ms. L. Daniels, a next door neighbor spoke in favor of the revision even though the side yard set-backs were non-conforming they were as before.

Mr. Catanese advised the Board that Both C-1 a hardship variance could be voted on as well as a C-2 for benefits outweighing the detriments. The Board voted unanimously to grant the C-1 variance and the attorney withdrew the C-2 variance request.

781-2010 Mrs. Jane Hoy represented 9101, L.P. in their request for a variances for 9101 Second Avenue, known as the “Hutton Cottage”.

Mr. Larry Gale testified that they wanted to modernize the building by adding air conditioning and new plumbing and electrical to bring this 1916 house up to current standards. The existing house would remain unchanged on the exterior except for a small section of the southwest corner wrap around porch to permit a one story conforming addition. There would be a second conforming one-story addition on the back western side of the house. The existing non-conforming garage would be demolished. Mr. Gale added that he and his father were the two partners in 9101, L.P.

Mr. Mark Asher, Architect, testified that they were requesting variance relief for three pre-existing non-conformities: the front yard setback, the height limitation and the habitable floors. He stressed the importance of this structure to the architectural history of the town and that the exterior would remain substantially unchanged. The additions proposed are for a family room and master bedroom both one story and on the first floor to the back of the house and away from the street and its attendant noise.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Mr. R. Ashman spoke as a member of the Planning Board and in favor of the project to preserve an important piece of Stone Harbor History.

Mrs. N. Cope spoke in favor of granting the variances as Chairperson of the museum and also because of its historical importance.

Mr. T. Cope spoke as a Councilperson and liaison to the Planning Board and stressed the need to preserve the town’s history.

Mr. Catanese advised the Board that the major reason for the variances was that the renovations considered would make the house unlivable during the renovation period and it was then considered by statute to be a total destruction.

A C-2 variance was voted unanimously and the attorney withdrew the C-1 variance.

Adjournment at 8:10 pm.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

Jean Tribulski