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, NOVEMBER 17, 2021 AT 6:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Greg Mollnow, Chairperson Mr. Mark Cotch Ms. Carolyn Dion Mr. Anthony Kusaywa, Vice Chair Ms. Jacqueline DeChiaro MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Sharon Butler, Administrative Assistant Joseph Moloughney, Non-Voting Alternate Chairperson Mollnow; we will call the meeting to start at 6:30PM. Roll Call taken; all members present CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 25, 2021 MEETING Chairperson Mollnow; moving on to the previous meeting minutes are there any comments from the previous minutes I think they’re from August Member Cotch; I’ll make a motion that we accept them Chairperson Mollnow; I’ll 2nd All in favor, motion carried unanimously YES NO ABSTAIN Greg Mollnow X Mark Cotch X Anthony Kusaywa X Carolyn Dion X Jacqueline DeChiaro X CONSIDERATION OF AN AREA VARIANCE FOR 64 MASTEN AVENUE Chairperson Mollnow: on to the area variance for 64 Masten Avenue. The applicant has demolished a 2 story porch that measured 7’ x 24’ and is now seeking to construct a new 1 story deck that would measure 14’ x 24’. The deck will be placed approximately 11’6” from the applicant’s Southerly property line and 5’8” from their Northerly property line. Required side setback in the R-2 district is 10 feet and the applicant is seeking a variance of 4’4” on their Southerly property line Mr. VanWie; northern, northerly property line Sharon; it has southerly here so I’ll fix that Chairperson Mollnow: The appeal under consideration is one for an area variance. For an area variance to be legally granted pursuant to Section 81 of the General City Law, the following issues must be considered: 1. The benefit to the applicant if the variance is granted, as weighed against the detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the neighborhood or community by such grant; 2. Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or a detriment to nearby properties will be created by the granting of the area variance; 3. Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some other method feasible for the applicant to pursue, other than an area variance; 4. Whether the requested area variance is substantial; 5. Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district; and 6. Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created. Mr. VanWie if you could just give us a little bit more detail about the project Mr. VanWie; I just want a deck on the back of my house instead of that decrepit falling down 2 story porch. I basically, the house has been in my family since it’s been built I purchased it from my grandfather and I’m just trying to maintain it and keep it nice. Chairperson Mollnow; so basically you are taking up the same footprint width wise as the original porch Mr. VanWie; yes going out another 7 feet and not doing a 2nd story, I took the door out, and put a window in. There’s pictures in there of the house I believe, showing the current condition, and there’s a drawing in there that I made Chairperson Mollnow; members of the board any questions about the project? Being none, at this time I’ll go to public comment. Sharon I know there is one public comment do you have it? Sharon; no and it’s not in the file Mr. VanWie; should be a letter from my neighbor Chairperson Mollnow; I have it right here. Read a note from Doris and George Blais from 62 Masten Avenue; To Whom It May Concern; we live next door to Derrick VanWie and we have no problems with him building a new deck next to our fence. He had a porch there before that was close to us. Sharon do you know of any other public comments that were sent in? Sharon; no Chairperson Mollnow; ok, since there are no members of the public here I will close that section of the meeting. Moving on, members of the board any comments or questions? All members responded no Chairperson Mollnow; I will make a motion to approve the variance with stipulation that it doesn’t get an approval for a 2nd story porch. This is all for the 1st floor Vice Chair Kusaywa; 2nd motion carried unanimously YES NO ABSTAIN Greg Mollnow X Mark Cotch X Anthony Kusaywa X Carolyn Dion X Jacqueline DeChiaro X Sharon; you will have to get your building permit now Mr. VanWie; I believe the contractor already has it. Chairperson Mollnow; members of the board any comments about the schedule for next year? All members responded no Sharon; I just had to change the one meeting for November because of Thanksgiving again Chairperson Mollnow; I’m sure if Joe was here he would mention the training, if you guys need hours. Sharon; yes there is a virtual training session on December 7th I think he sent something out to everybody. Member Dion; he asked for dates, but I didn’t see anything since Sharon; ok I will just tell him to confirm with everyone about that training on December 7th Member Dion; is the virtual training a part of the 4 hours that we’re supposed to do or is it in addition Sharon; it is part of the 4 hours you would need, if you already have your 4 hours then you’re good but make sure Joe gets what classes you did Member Dion; I have 3 in right now Sharon; ok have you sent your stuff to Joe Member Dion; I told him what classes I did Sharon; ok just so it can go in the file so we can keep track and in case anyone questions it But this would be in addition to, if you need more hours then you should plan on getting in on it Member Moloughney; it’s an hour and half session Sharon; I will remind Joe to send something out to everyone just to remind and confirm everyone. Chairperson Mollnow; with that Sharon anything else? If not we’ll call the meeting to adjourn at 6:30PM