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, March 22nd, 2017 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark Cotch Ms. Theresa Thibodeau, Chairwoman Mrs. Joyce Baranski, Vice-Chairwoman Mr. Michael Briggs ALSO PRESENT: Ms. Kara McKnight, City Planner MEMBERS ABSENT: Gary Sawyer CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM January 18th, 2017 Chairwoman Thibodeau called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. The Chairwoman asked the recording secretary to take attendance. Member Briggs moved to approve the minutes of January 18th, 2017. Member Cotch 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 ABSENT Theresa Thibodeau X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FROM SIDE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR THREE (3) LOTS ON 109 WESTERN AVENUE Mr. Keeler applied for an area variance to reduce the side setbacks on either side of his three proposed houses. The applicant needs a variance of 20 feet on the western side of each building and a 5 foot variance on the eastern side of the middle lot. He is also seeking a 20 foot variance on the eastern side of the west most lot. Fred Metzger, the land surveyor for the property, explains that the slope limits the width size of the lot causing the need for a variance. As for all of the other zoning requirements such as the greenspace, lot size and front and back setbacks. Each of the houses have different designs and will be occupied by family members of Mr. Keeler. Member Briggs brings up the fact that there are no neighbors close by so the fact that the houses are going to be oriented near each other isn’t an issue. Chairwoman Thibodeau believes that the variance is reasonable especially since they are family. In the future, if new people buy plan on buying the property they will have to be aware of the building setbacks. All in all, if the variance was accepted it would add value to the area. The only conditions that would cause another meeting to be necessary is if the third building design greatly deviates from the original plan. However, if is not dramatically altered it is okay. \\cohoes.local\CoC-Data\Users\mashline-heil\Boards, Commissions, & Agencies\ZBA\ZBA\minutes\ZBA Minutes 2016\ZBA Minutes 11.23.2016.doc Chairwoman Thibodeau makes a proposal to accept the variance under the condition that the third lot will not deviate from the plan. Member Baranski seconds the motion and it is passed unanimously. YES NO ABSTAIN Michael Briggs X Joyce Baranski X Mark Cotch X Gary Sawyer ABSENT Theresa Thibodeau X Chairwoman Thibodeau moved to adjourn at 6:50 PM seconded by Member Briggs. The motion passed unanimously. \\cohoes.local\CoC-Data\Users\mashline-heil\Boards, Commissions, & Agencies\ZBA\ZBA\minutes\ZBA Minutes 2016\ZBA Minutes 11.23.2016.doc