Zoning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HELD IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark Cotch Mr. Justin Gregory Mr. Michael Briggs Mrs. Joyce Baranski, Vice-Chairman Mr. Gary Sawyer Ms. Theresa Thibodeau, Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Melissa Cherubino, Director of Building and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM JULY 27, 2016. Chairman Thibodeau called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. The Chairman asked the recording secretary to take attendance. Member Cotch moved to approve the minutes of July 27, 2016. Member Sawyer seconded the motion, roll call was taken and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Gary Sawyer X Theresa Thibodeau X Justin Gregory X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FROM SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR A CARPORT AT 58 CROSS STREET Shawn Parent requested approval to construct a carport in front of his garage at 58 Cross Street. Located on the northwest side of the property, the carport would sit 3’ from the property line abutting 60 Cross Street, owned by Henry Shepard. Approximately a year ago the applicant started constructing a carport with the roof pitched to the shared side property line. However, code enforcement issued a stop work order for working without a permit and variance. Mr. Shepard attended the meeting and explained his concern that water has been flooding his basement throughout the past year since construction of the carport. The roof pitches right to the neighboring home which sits lower than the applicant’s property. Mr. Parent suggested installing gutters and a drain pipe. However, Chairwoman Thibodeau pointed out that gutters will not function in a year as material clogs the openings and so the water issue would become a constant enforcement issue. Member Sawyer added that in heavy rain the water jumps the gutters regularly. Chairwoman Thibodeau also expressed concern about the appearance of a carport in front of a garage. Member Gregory added that the existing garage is inaccessible due to a pile of gravel in \\cohoes.local\CoC-Data\Users\mashline-heil\Boards, Commissions, & Agencies\ZBA\ZBA\minutes\ZBA Minutes 2016\ZBA Minutes 7.27.2016.doc front of the garage door. Member Baranski questioned the year long wait to apply for proper approvals. Finally, she asked why the applicant couldn’t construct extra living space in the backyard where a variance would not be necessary rather than constructing a carport which would create a hardship for the neighbor and alter the aesthetics of the neighborhood. As a result, Chairwoman Thibodeau moved to deny the area variance. Member Baranski suggested a stipulation that the applicant remove the existing structure. Member Cotch seconded the motion which passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Gary Sawyer X Theresa Thibodeau X Justin Gregory X Chairwoman Thibodeau moved to adjourn at 7:10 PM seconded by Member Cotch. The motion passed unanimously. \\cohoes.local\CoC-Data\Users\mashline-heil\Boards, Commissions, & Agencies\ZBA\ZBA\minutes\ZBA Minutes 2016\ZBA Minutes 7.27.2016.doc