Zoning Board of Appeals

Zoning Board of Appeals Voting Record and Minutes The Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Wednesday October 10, 2018, 6:30 PM in City Hall Annex, Fourth Floor, City Council Chambers, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Meeting was brought to order by Anthony Gallant at 6:15 PM. Board of Appeals attendance: Member Name Present Absent Excused Regular Roland Archambault Chair X Regular Anthony Gallant, Vice Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Clerk X Regular Gary Stamborski X Regular Christina Loy X Assoc. Katherine Baldiga X Assoc. Matthew Bieda X Planning Staff attendance: Title Name Present Excused Planning Director Lee Pouliot X Development Manager Jim Dawson X Item 1: Appeal of Building Commissioner’s Decision for property located on Ashgrove St., Assessor Map 337, Parcel 74. Applicant: Thomas Malek, 5585 Gallatin Lane, N. Charleston, SC. Notes: The Applicant provided the Board with a letter requesting to table the Appeal to November 14, 2018. Motion to accept the letter requesting tabling to November 14, 2018 was made by Anthony Gallant and seconded by Katherine Baldiga. Vote was 5-0 to table the appeal to November 14, 2018. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Vice Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Clerk X Regular Gary Stamborski X Assoc. Katherine Baldiga X Assoc. Matthew Bieda X Item 2: Variance from Chapter 275-52 front setback requirements from 15’ to 9’ 5”+/- to construct a porch. Location: 28 Hamel St. Applicant: Mary and William Moge, same address. Notes: The Applicant’s presented their petition to the Board, explaining the awkwardness of the existing setup of their front door and steps. They also explained that the City had taken approximately 5’ of property as part of a sewer project. There are a few older houses in the neighborhood with reduced setbacks; the Applicant’s house was built around 1920, predating the City’s zoning regulations. It was the Board’s opinion that the location of the house precluded the Applicant from constructing the porch and meeting the required setbacks. The Board also noted the City’s taking of property exacerbated the setback issue. The Board voted to approve the Variance. Motion to approve was made by Gary Stamborski and seconded by Katherine Baldiga. Vote was 5-0 to approve the Variance. 1 Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Vice Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Clerk X Regular Gary Stamborski X Assoc. Katherine Baldiga X Assoc. Matthew Bieda X Item 3: Variance from Chapter 275-4 Accessory Uses and Structures to allow for a swimming pool and associated deck to be located between front wall of the principal building and the street. Location: 195 Narragansett Blvd. Applicant: Paulo O. Nubile, same address. Notes: The Applicant’s contractor presented the petition to the Board on his behalf. He explained that the Applicant, Mr. Nubile, wanted to construct a deck adjacent to an existing swimming pool that also required a Variance. Planning Staff explained the Applicant’s unique property situation which is that the entire usable portion of the property is essentially front yard as it is located between the front wall of the house and the street lot line. Accessory structures or uses as defined in the Zoning Ordinances are prohibited within this zone of a property. The Board concluded that the property layout was the Applicant’s hardship since it prevented him from constructing any accessory use on the property unless it was in the prohibited area. The Board voted to approve the Variance. Motion to approve was made by Gary Stamborski and seconded by Katherine Baldiga. Vote was 5-0 to approve. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Vice Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Clerk X Regular Gary Stamborski X Assoc. Katherine Baldiga X Assoc. Matthew Bieda X Item 4: Minutes – from August 8, 2018 Motion to approve was made by Anthony Gallant and seconded by Matthew Bieda. Vote was 5-0 to approve. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Vice Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Clerk X Regular Gary Stamborski X Assoc. Katherine Baldiga X Assoc. Matthew Bieda X Item 5: Discussion Old/New Business Notes: No Discussion Item 6: Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Katherine Baldiga and seconded by Gary Stamborski. Vote was 5-0 to adjourn. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Vice Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Clerk X Regular Gary Stamborski X Assoc. Katherine Baldiga X Assoc. Matthew Bieda X Meeting adjourned at 6:53 PM. 2