Zoning Board of Appeals

City of Cortland – Zoning Board of Appeals Zoning Board of Appeals City of Cortland Regular meeting of September 9, 2019 A regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 5:32 PM in the Mayor’s Conference Room at City Hall. Present: Commissioners Scott Steve, Juliene Ray, Abigail Cleary, Thomas Larson, Brett Barnes, Karen Leahy, Maria Manning (6pm) Staff: Zoning Officer Bob Rhea, Secretary Devon Rainbow Item #1 – 15 Monroe Heights (Bentley) – Area Variance (R4)  4’ Vegetative strip Engineering plans were requested at last meeting and have been presented at this meeting. The existing rain garden is made up of flowers and plants. It is not functioning as a rain garden right now but is going to move the downspouts to it so that is can be used as such. Laura Gathagan who resides at 32 W. Court St. which is cater-corner to the property was present to speak regarding this property. She expressed concerns with density for the street. She questioned the number of cars per apartment. The answer was 4 cars for 2 apartments which contains 3 people per apartment. She was also concerned with noise from the home to the neighborhood. It is Zoned as R4. Motion to close Public Hearing: Motion: Comm. Ray Second: Comm. Barnes Approved: Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 The Board reviewed the questions necessary for the deciding of granting or rejecting an area variance. Motion to deny the variance based on information provided plus the review of questions: Motion: Comm. Cleary Second: Comm. Barnes Approved: Ayes – 4 Nays – 1 (Commissioner Leahy) Item #2 – 149 Central Ave (O’Neill) – Area Variance (R2) Minutes of the September 9, 2019 Meeting 1  City of Cortland – Zoning Board of Appeals  Handicap Ramp in front yard green space Applicant was not present to represent property. Commissioner Steve had questions and concerns. According to the checklist for accessible ramp variances code §30-152: proof that there is no existing entrance to the residence at which a ramp could be constructed without a variance; is the driveway an option? He was concerned with the elevation being off by 2ft making it not ADA compliant. He was also concerned with the ramp being intrusive to the neighbor’s driveway. Motion to table until the next meeting: Motion: Comm. Cleary Second: Comm. Barnes Approved: Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Item #3 – 99 Elm St. (Arif) – Area Variance (R2)  Lot area and front yard size Arif, the former owner, stated the property was purchased in 2015 as a foreclosure. This property has been used as a 2 family residence since 2015. Motion to close Public Hearing: Motion: Comm. Larson Second: Comm. Ray Approved: Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 The Board reviewed the questions necessary for the deciding of granting or rejecting an area variance. Motion to approve the variance with the condition of code compliance. Motioned by: Comm. Larson Seconded by: Comm. Barnes Approved: Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Approval of minutes Motion to approve the minutes as amended from August 12, 2019. Motion: Comm. Barnes Second: Comm. Ray Approved: Ayes – 6 Minutes of the September 9, 2019 Meeting 2  City of Cortland – Zoning Board of Appeals Nays – 0 New/old business: Motion for Mark Pace went to court in Madison County. The court has sent back stating the Zoning Board of Appeals needs to investigate further on some things. Chair Member Scott Steve will forward on the paperwork. Moved the next meeting from October 7th to October 21st. Adjournment Motion to adjourn. Motion: Comm. Cleary Second: Comm. Manning Approved: Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 I, SCOTT STEVE, CHAIR MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FOR THE CITY OF CORTLAND, NY, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT SAID RESOLUTIONS WERE ADOPTED AT A MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE CITY OF CORTLAND, HELD ON THE 9TH DAY IN SEPTEMBER IN THE YEAR 2019. SCOTT STEVE, ZBA CHAIR MEMBER Minutes of the September 9, 2019 Meeting 3