Regular Meeting
Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals
December 3, 2014
Members Present: Bob Wormwood, Chairman
Brandon Cooney
Mike Dulmage
Fred Lanham
Matt Porter
Mr. Wormwood called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Town of Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion 25-14: Motion by Mr. Cooney, seconded by Mr. Porter to accept the minutes of the November 5, 2014 meeting as written and distributed.
Ayes All: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
Jamie Short – Old Garage Deli – 18564 US Route 11 – Variance request for proposed signage.
Legal notice was posted in the newspaper and evidence that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 7:01 p.m. No one from the public wished to speak. The public hearing was closed at 7:01 p.m.
VARIANCE REQUEST
Jamie Short – Old Garage Deli – 18564 US Route 11 – Variance request for proposed signage. She meets the State’s setback requirements but cannot meet the Town’s 15′ setback requirement.
Mr. Short presented plans for proposed signage for Old Garage Deli, 18564 US Route 11. Discussion followed.
Motion 26-14: Motion by Mr. Lanham, seconded by Mr. Dulmage to grant a 15′ setback variance to Old Garage Deli, located at 18564 US Route 11 for proposed signage.
Ayes – 4
Abstentions – 1: Motion Carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
John Bellinger – 20255 NYS Route 3 – Tax Map #82.11-1-33.1 – Area variance request.
Legal notice was published in the newspaper and evidence that adjacent property owners were notified.
The public hearing was opened at 7:04 p.m.
Mr. Wormwood explained to the public that zoning regulations require 250′ of road frontage per parcel to have a legal lot. Mr. Bellinger is before the board tonight asking that he be granted an area variance to allow him to subdivide his property at 20255 NYS Route 3 with less than the required 250′ road frontage per parcel.
-2-
The following neighbors were in attendance:
Joseph Sylvester, 21222 Floral Drive
Patrick Doldo, 21268 Floral Drive
Rocco Derrigo, 21316 Floral Drive
Juli Hovey, 21275 Floral Drive
Marilyn Wekar, 21286 Floral Drive
The neighbors all expressed concerns with the right-of-way on Floral Drive that was mentioned in the “Notice of a Public Hearing” that they all received. They are concerned with what Mr. Bellinger’s intentions are for the property that extends behind their homes on Floral Drive and how it will affect the values of their homes. They wanted to know if any type of housing development is planned for this property. They also expressed concerns regarding water drainage if major construction were to take place.
Mr. Bellinger stated that he is here to request that an area variance be granted to him to allow him to subdivide his property at 20255 NYS Route 3. Mr. Bellinger stated that when he originally bought the property, road frontage requirements per parcel was 100′. About six years ago, the Town changed the requirements to 250′ of road frontage per parcel. Mr. Bellinger has approximately 394 feet of road frontage and would like to divide it into two lots. The NYS Department of Transportation will not allow any more highway cuts on NYS Route 3. He will need to use the existing highway cut for access to both parcels if the area variance is granted. He plans on remaining in his current home and does not want to change the integrity of the neighborhood. Neighborhood/ Commercial Zoning limits what can go on this property. This request will not affect any property on Floral Drive.
The public hearing was closed at 7:32 p.m.
VARIANCE REQUEST
Mr. Bellinger presented updated plans for an area variance for property located at 20255 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-33.1. Discussion followed.
Motion 27-14: Motion by Mr. Cooney, seconded by Mr. Dulmage to grant an area variance of 53′ road frontage per parcel to John Bellinger, 20255 NYS Route 3, Tax Map #82.11-1-33.1. This will split the frontage equally between the two proposed lots and allow him to apply for a two lot subdivision.
Ayes – 4
Nay – 1: Motion Carried.
Motion 28-14: Motion by Mr. Lanham, seconded by Mr. Porter to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p,.m.
____________
Susan Burdick
Secretary