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 FEBRUARY 23, 2004 AT 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Chairman Steve Hoglin, David Remington, John Merchant, Ang Cimo, Pat Martonis

                     Rick Keefer, Attorney William Wright and Code Enforcement Officer Randy

                     Woodbury

ABSENT:    Kevin Saff

 

Chairman Hoglin called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.  Secretary Pierce called the roll.

 

Motion made by Ang Cimo, seconded by John Merchant to approve the minutes of the January 26, 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.

 

Chairman Hoglin asked for a motion to abandon the application since it had been tabled  for 8 months.  Attorney Wright asked Mr. Woodbury if the applicant has contacted the Town. Mr. Woodbury stated he had not contacted the Town in two months. 

 

Motion made by Pat Martonis, seconded by David Remington to abandon this application for Mark Ferraro at 870 Fairmount Ave., W.E., Jamestown, NY

 

Carried.                     Ayes-6                           Noes-0                      Absent-1

 

Mr. Woodbury will send a letter to Mr. Ferraro notifying him of the Board’s action.

 

Kevin Saff entered the meeting at 7:35 PM.

 

Chairman Hoglin opened the public hearing for Donna Heintzman, 575 Hunt Rd., W.E.,
Jamestown, NY for a special use permit for a tax services office in her home.

 

Attorney Arthur Bailey was present to represent Donna Heintzman. He asked the Board to approve the application to the extent that it is required. Ms. Heintzman did not appear.

 

Attorney Wright asked Mr. Bailey if he knew about her operation because that was what was at issue at this meeting.  The Board needs to know the specifics about her business in order to approve a special use permit.  Mr. Wright reviewed the information Ms. Heintzman needed to provide in order for the Board to make a decision on the special use permit.

 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

FEBRUARY 23, 2003

PAGE TWO

 

Attorney Bailey said all that information is available but he had a few questions for the Board.  He wanted to know when the Town is aware a business has existed for 36 years what is required.  Mr. Wright said that once the Code Enforcement Officer was made aware of the business he could treat it as a violation and start enforcement action or he could bring Ms. Heintzman before the Zoning Board and try to legitimize it. 

 

Mr. Bailey asked if there had been any opposition to the business.  There were no neighbors present and they had been notified.  Mr. Bailey said that Ms. Heintzman had been sent a request that she send $75.00 for her business and that had never been requested before.  He asked if the Town could put her out of business.  Attorney Wright explained that the Town has a requirement for a two-year permit for a home occupation and the business needs to be legitimized.

 

Mr. Woodbury asked if Mr. Bailey had seen the documents that Ms. Heintzman had received from the Town.  He sent an order to remedy and also an application for the special use permit and told her that the application fee was $75.00.  Mr. Woodbury stated that Ms. Heintzman had filled out the application and signed it. Then she sent it to the Town along with the $75.00 fee.  He explained he would stay the order to remedy because she was applying for the permit.

 

 Attorney Wright asked Mr. Woodbury if he had a problem staying the order to remedy for another 30 days. He said he did not because there was no opposition from the neighbors and the County Planning had to review the application.  Mr. Woodbury asked the County to speed the process and they send a letter that this application does not have a countywide or inter-municipal impact.  They did reserve the right to submit informal comments in the future, at which time the Town may consider revocation of the special use permit, if warranted.  

 

Attorney Bailey said he would have Ms. Bailey appear at the March meeting.

 

Motion made by Kevin Saff, seconded by Ang Cimo to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 PM.

 

Carried.                       Ayes-7                       Noes-0                   Absent-0

 

 

 

_________________________________________

Valerie Pierce, Secretary