Zoning Board of Appeals

REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL Present: Gary Middleton Linda Reil Judy Pehota Dina Ford Nick Ficaro (Seated for Jon Pulino) Kevin Brignole (not seated) Absent: Brandon Chafee Jonathan Pulino Staff: Joseph Samolis, Director of Planning, Conservation and Development 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 2, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes Judy Pehota moves for approval of the minutes of August 2, 2018 Regular Meeting. Linda Reil seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 5 affirmative votes. 4. OLD BUSINESS None 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. Proposed variance with regard to Section 14.06 and 23.02A for a 14’ x 14’ addition on a non-conforming lot at 21 Portland Street. Applicant/agent Carrie Chasse ZBA2018-5 Carrie Cassie introduced the application. She explained the hardship is that her 92 year old grandmother can no longer climb stairs to the bedroom and is currently staying in her small living room. She is looking for a 14’ x 14’ addition which will include a bathroom. No one from the public wished to speak. Judy Pehota moves to close the public hearing. Linda Reil seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 5 affirmative votes. 1 Judy Pehota moves for approval with regard to Section 14.06 and 23.02A for a 14’ x 14’ addition on a non-conforming lot at 21 Portland Street. Dina Ford seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 5 affirmative votes. 2. Proposed variance for an illuminated sign at entrance to Pat Kidney Sports Complex to increase visibility for visitors during nighttime hours in a residential zone at Farm Hill Road. Applicant/agent Sign Pro ZBA2018-6 Marisa Montemurro of Sign Pro introduced the application. She explained that there are two applications. One to allow illumination in a residential zone and second to increase the size of the sign area. 18’ x 5’9” for a total of 97 sq. ft. The height of the sign is 15’.9” which will be an archway sign that goes over the walkway to the entrance of the field. Gary Middleton said he was confused as to the hardship. Ms. Montemurro said that there is no visibility where you approach the complex. Especially at night there is some confusion as to where to park as there is no current signage. Gary Middleton still does not understand the hardship. Director Samolis said he has spoken with the deputy director of public works and they have done an exhaustive renovation of this field and they want to let people know the proper location in which to enter. Nick Ficaro asked about the hours of illumination. Ms. Montemurro said that it is on a timer and should be lit almost every night that the field will be open. Director Samolis explained that the parks dept. has a cap when all signs would be off and that is 10 PM. From the public, Jeff Knackle of 71 Russell Street does not feel there is a need for an illuminated sign in this neighborhood. Dina Ford asked if he would be ok with the sign if it was not illuminated. Mr. Knackle said he would. Judy Pehota asked if he would be ok if the lights were on at the time that the flood lights were on during a game. Mr. Knackle still feels it would look too commercialized. Joe Samolis stated that they can issue a variance for a sign and illumination but cannot issue a variance with conditions. Linda Reil moves to close public hearing. Judy Pehota seconds the motion. Approved unanimously. Dina Ford feels there should have been a representative from the public works dept. to answer the questions of illumination. It was agreed that the two applications should be voted on separately. Gary Middleton asked if the size of the sign was approved by the Board. There were no objections. Linda Reil stated that she did not think illumination was needed as there is plenty of lights on the field. Dina Ford agreed that no illumination was necessary. Nick Ficaro does not see a hardship. Gary Middleton agreed. Dina Ford moved to approve the variance on the size of the sign but not for the illumination. Linda Reil seconds the motion. Approved unanimously. 6. PUBLIC HEARING 7. ADJOURNMENT Judy Pehota moves for adjournment. Linda Reil seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 5 affirmative votes. 2 Respectfully submitted, Joseph Samolis Director of Planning, Conservation and Development 3