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 24, 2003 AT 7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT: Acting Chairman David Remington, Kevin Saff, John Merchant, Steve Hoglin, Angelo

                     Cimo, Patricia Martonis, Attorney William Wright and Code Enforcement Officer Randy

                     Woodbury

ABSENT:    Al Suchar

 

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

 

Motion made by Steve Hoglin, seconded Angelo Cimo to approve the minutes of the January  24, 2003 meeting.

Carried.                     Ayes-6                      Noes-0                      Absent-1

 

Attorney Wright swore in every one that would be testifying at this public hearing.

 

Mr. Remington reopened the public hearing for Todd and Jennifer Nelson, 72 Robinson Ave., W.E., Jamestown, NY for a garage set back variance and a special use permit to add a third apartment above a garage in a residential zone.

 

Mr. Woodbury asked the Board to continue to table this application. He explained that he had sent a letter to the Nelsons notifying them of the issues that had to be addressed  before they could come to the ZBA. 

 

Mr. Remington reopened the public hearing for Carl and Geraldine Swanson, 185 Howard Ave., W.E., Jamestown, NY for an area variance to build a second detached garage.

 

The Town received a letter from Carl and Geraldine Swanson requesting their application be tabled until the March meeting so they would have time to consult with an attorney to make a full presentation of their case.  The Board agreed to continue to table this application.

 

Acting Chairman Remington opened the public hearing for Jean Holton, 3389 Old Fluvanna Rd., Jamestown,, NY for a renewal of her special use permit. 

 

Ms. Holton owns Lighthouse Realty and has an office in her home.  Nothing has changed over the last two years. 

 

The Town has received no complaints on this permit and the neighbors were notified and no one appeared. 

 

Motion made by Kevin Saff, seconded by Steve Hoglin to approve the renewal for a two year special use permit for Jean Holton for a realty office in her home at 3389 Old Fluvanna Rd., Jamestown, NY. 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

FEBRUARY 24, 2003

PAGE TWO

 

Carried.                           Ayes-6                             Noes-0                          Absent-1

 

Mr. Remington opened the public hearing for Yaw Oil Co., Inc. 2805 N. Main St., Jamestown, NY for variances for signage and parking lot set backs.

 

Ted Bogdan, owner and Dave Rhinehart, from Habiterra Associates, presented plans for a new building to house a convenience store and an express McDonald’s.  They provided a site plan for the project and a letter explaining the existing and new signage and the requested setbacks for parking.  The applicant provided a sketch of the proposed signs with the height and square footage.  They also provided a documentation memo from Tolman Engineering, PLLC that mentioned the already approved sign for Comfort Inn, Red Roof Inn, and Mr. Martiny’s sign for the adjacent property for his travel plaza.

 

Mr. Bogdan will require three area variances for the signs.  He will require one for the height of the sign, one for the square footage of the signs and one for the number of signs.  Mr. Bogdan is asking for a variance for height from 30 feet to 125 feet and a variance required for area from 100 SF too 317 SF for the high rise sign. The low-rise sign will meet the height requirement but requires a variance for area from 100 SF to 165 SF. 

 

Mr. Bogdan is also requesting a variance for a parking lot setback reduced from 30 feet to 20 feet along the north and west property lines. 

 

Lengthy discussion followed on the signs and the applicant had photos from Route 60 but not from I-86.  The applicant stated that they understood that Mr. Martiny had been approved for a 125-foot high sign. Mr. Remington said he thought the variance was substantial and they had granted the sign because of the terrain for Mr. Martiny and he had proved his benefit and need for the visibility from I-86.  Mr. Bogdan told the Board he would be willing to keep the sign at the same height, as Mr. Martiny’s and depending on his terrain would lower it if needed.  Mr. Bogdan explained he needed the high-rise sign for visibility from I-86. No one will see it from Route 60.

 

Attorney Wright reviewed the criteria for area variances. The Board members decided it would be better to table the variances for the sign until Mr. Bogdan could bring in more information and photos to prove his need for the height and show support of the visibility for westbound traffic. The applicant should also demonstrate his benefit and also the need for the larger area on the sign.

 

Motion made by Pat Martonis, seconded by John Merchant to table the variances for the signage pending more information from the applicant.

 

Carried.                Ayes-6                       Noes-0                     Absent-1

 

The Board continued with the request from Mr. Bogdan for the parking lot set backs.  Attorney Wright reviewed the code concerning the setbacks. The applicant is requesting the setback be reduced to 20 feet along the north and west sides of the property lines instead of the 30 feet required by code. 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

FEBRUARY 24, 2003

PAGE THREE

 

Discussion followed on the setback and the easements shown on the plans.  Mr. Bogdan told the Board members there would be no impact on the neighbors.  The adjacent parcels along the north and west properties are zoned mercantile.

 

Mr. Bogdan told the Board that he has approximately 700 transactions per day and there will be 3 fuel deliveries per week and McDonald’s will have approximately 2 deliveries per week.  There will be 50 parking spaces.  Mr. Bogdan provided a letter from Attorney Goldman concerning the easement that was still being negotiated. The Board discussed the easement.

 

Attorney Wright told the members of the Board that as an individual lot line setback this would be exempt from SEQRA review.  Mr. Wright did remind the applicant that the signage variances would require a long form EAF.

 

Motion made by Dave Remington, seconded by Steve Hoglin to approve the parking lot setback variance for Yaw Oil Co., Inc., 2805 North Main Street Ext., Jamestown, NY, along the north and west property lines be reduced to 20 feet. 

 

Carried.              Ayes-6                        Noes-0                     Absent-1

 

Mr. Bodgan asked if he could still appear before the Planning Board without the sign variances being approved.  Attorney Wright suggested he show the location of the signs without detail on height and size.  The Planning Board does need the setbacks to be approved but could approve site plan contingent on the ZBA approval of the variances. 

 

Motion made by Dave Remington, seconded by Steve Hoglin to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM.

 

Carried.              Ayes-6                              Noes-0                     Absent-1    

 

 

Motion made by Dave Remington, seconded by Steve Hoglin to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 P.M.

 

Carried.               Ayes-6                             Noes-0                     Absent-1

 

_______________________________

Valerie Pierce, Secretary