MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF ELLICOTT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HELD AT THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 215 SOUTH WORK STREET, FALCONER, NY 14733 JANUARY 26, 2004 AT 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairman Steve Hoglin, David Remington, Kevin Saff, John Merchant, Pat Martonis

                     Rick Keefer, Attorney William Wright and Code Enforcement Officer Randy

                     Woodbury

ABSENT:    Ang Cimo

Chairman Hoglin called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Hoglin welcomed Richard Keefer as the newest member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Secretary Pierce called the roll.

 

Motion made by John Merchant, seconded by Kevin Saff to approve the minutes of the November 24, 2003 meeting.

 

Carried.                      Ayes-6                         Noes-0                      Absent-1

 

Chairman Hoglin reopened the public hearing for Mark and Leslie Ferraro (Jamestown DairyQueen) 870 Fairmount Ave., Jamestown, NY for a use variance for a wall sign and area variances for signs and setbacks.

 

Mr. Woodbury told the Board that Mr. Ferraro had not brought in the documentation for the County review. Mr. Woodbury will contact Mr. Ferraro.

 

Ang Cimo entered the meeting at 7:33 PM.

 

Attorney Wright told the Board members Mr. Ferraro’s application was already tabled and they could carry it until the next meeting.

 

Chairman Hoglin opened the public hearing for Karen Quinn, 3756 Harris Hill Rd., Falconer, NY for a special use permit for a home occupation for a tack/livery supply business in her barn.

 

Ms. Quinn was not present so the Board decided to continue with the next application and come back to Ms. Quinn’s if she appears.

 

Mr. Hoglin opened the public hearing for Carl Scarpino, 545 Orchard Rd., Jamestown, NY for a second 2-car garage on his premises that already has a 2-car attached garage. Attorney Wright swore in Mr. Scarpino. 

 

Mr. Scarpino explained to the Board members that he was requesting an area variance to build a pole barnto be used for storage. It will be built on a new parcel of land he purchased.  He has approximately 2.75 acres.

 

Randy Woodbury showed the Board on the map where Mr. Scarpino’s property is on the corner of Orchard Road. Most of his land is residential but the land behind is residential-agricultural. The land is used as one use.

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JANUARY 26, 2004

PAGE TWO

 

Mr. Scarpino gave the Board members a sketch showing the placement of the garage on his property.  It will be tan with a red roof. The building will be 125 feet from the east property boundary and 80 feet from the west property boundary. There is a natural tree line. The structure is to store equipment. No vehicles will be stored in the pole barn. It will have two overhead doors, one  in the front and one in the back. 

 

Mr. Scarpino told the Board he had talked to the neighbors. No one seems to have any objection. 

 

Attorney Wright reviewed Section 146-7 A that allows the dwelling to have an attached or detached garage for up to 3 vehicles.  The second garage requires the area variance. Mr. Hoglin asked Mr. Wright to review the criteria for an area variance. 

 

Chairman Hoglin went through the criteria with the Board members noting:

1)    there would not be any undesirable change to the character of the neighborhood

2)    there is no other method to achieve the benefit to the applicant

3)    the variance is not substantial

 

There was a discussion on second garages and when a variance is needed.  The Board also discussed the difference between an area variance and use variance. There were no neighbors present at this public hearing.

 

4)    there will be no adverse effect on the physical or environmental conditions of the neighborhood

5)    this is self-created but it should not preclude the granting of the variance

 

Attorney Wright stated this proposed project is exempt from SEQR as an area variance to an accessory structure less than 4000 square feet.

 

Discussion followed on the enforcement of the use and if Mr. Scarpino could use it for a commercial use.  Mr. Wright said that this is an accessory building and there is no driveway to the structure. Mr. Hoglin said that the neighbors would let the Town know if there is any commercial activity.

 

Dave Remington asked about the siding and stated the Board usually requires that it match the house. Attorney Wright said that the code has changed and does not specify the siding and the new change eliminated the requirement that the siding match the house.

 

Mr. Scarpino provided a photo of the proposed pole barn.

 

Motion made by Ang Cimo, seconded by John Merchant to approve the area variance for Carl Scarpino, 545 Orchard Rd., Jamestown, NY to build a 24’ by 30’ pole barn.

 

Carried.                  Ayes – 7                       Noes – 0                       Absent – 0

 

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JANUARY 26, 2004

PAGE THREE

 

Chairman Hoglin reopened the public hearing for Karen Quinn.  Attorney Wright swore in Ms. Quinn.

 

Ms. Quinn is requesting a special use permit for a tack/livery supply business in her barn at 3756 Harris Hill Rd., Falconer, NY. 

 

The business would occupy approximately 500 SF of the 1400 SF of barn space.  She has 13 horses and this business would be part-time to supplement the training of the horses. They do not board horses or have rider training.  This would provide a place for people so they would not have to go to Irving to purchase products.  Ms. Quinn would like to be open Tuesday through Saturday until 8:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons. She will be the only employee.

 

Attorney Wright asked Ms. Quinn if she would advertise and she said she would. She would have a sign that would comply with the code. 

 

Pat Martonis asked if the training was allowed because it is in an agricultural -residential zone.  Mr. Woodbury said that was his interpretation. Attorney Wright said the code stated public or private stables, riding stables and riding academies are allowed in ag-residential zones. 

 

Discussion followed on the sections of code that addressed home occupations.  Attorney Wright stated this does not qualify as a home occupation. The business would not be in her home and retail sales are not allowed under home occupation permits. She would be attracting a different cliental than she would for the training of the horses. He told the Board he thought the code adequately addresses retail sales in an ag-residential zone.  Mr. Woodbury agreed and said he had misunderstood what Mr. Quinn was requesting. He will refund the fee.

 

Ms. Quinn withdrew her application for the special use permit.  She was told she could apply for a use variance. Mr. Woodbury will help her if she wants to apply for the use variance. 

 

Motion made by Kevin Saff, seconded by Ang Cimo to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM.

 

Carried.                       Ayes-7                       Noes-0                   Absent-0

 

 

 

_________________________________________

Valerie Pierce, Secretary