Zoning Board of Appeals

CITY OF NORWICH ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS September 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes The regular meeting of the City of Norwich Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken and it was determined that a quorum was present. PRESENT: Mark Benjamin Joseph Jacaruso Paul Kramarewicz Santo Rizzuto, Alternate Henry Olender Raymond Dussault, Alternate Paulette Craig, Zoning Enforcement Officer Darlene Fedus, Recording Secretary EXCUSED: Dorothy Travers ~~~~~ E. COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Craig provided the members with new text amendment ordinances to replace the outdated ones in their zoning books. Mr. Benjamin noted that any concerns regarding text amendments to zoning regulations could be discussed with council members. Ms. Craig told the Board that when a proposed text amendment is presented to the Council she will give it to the Board first to review. ~~~~~ F. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES On a motion by Rizzuto/Jacaruso it was unanimously voted to accept the August 12, 2008 meeting minutes. ~~~~~ G. OLD BUSINESS None H. NEW BUSINESS #V-08-30 Appeal of Paul Butcher for property at 1-2 Terrace Avenue, located in an MF zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, front yard (Shetucket Ave) setback, 25’ required to be reduced to 11’ in order to rebuild 2-story porch & exterior stairs. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Santo Rizzuto. 1 of 4  Ms. Craig entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, as “B”, public notices of 8/27/08 & 9/3/08; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map; as “F”, 5 photos; as “G”, Building Dept correspondence; as “H”, complaint file; and as “I”, Building permit. Speaking in favor was the applicant Paul Butcher of 2 Terrace Avenue and his son Paul Butcher Jr. of 100 Clinton Avenue. Mr. Butcher told the Board he was issued a building permit to repair the porch but after he started the work it was in worse shape then he had thought. The porch was built in the 1920’s and is very dangerous. The new 2 story porch and stairs will be in the same footprint with a roof over the 2nd floor stairs with the dimensions being 13’x5’. The applicant told the Board his hardships were property fronting on 3 sides and a second means of egress for 2 apartments. The applicant lives at this address. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. ~~~~~ #V-08-31 Appeal of Peter Phelan for property at 15 Browning Road, located in an R-80 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, westerly side yard setback, 40’ required to be reduced to 30’ in order to construct 24’x30’ garage. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. Ms. Craig entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, as “B”, public notices of 8/27/08 & 9/3/08; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map; as “F”, applicant’s survey; as “G”, Uncas Health approval; as “H”, wetlands approval; as “I”, photo; and as “J”, applicant’s sketch. Speaking in favor was the applicant Peter Phelan of 15 Browning Road who told the Board he currently has two temporary membrane structures that house his vehicles. He would like to build a 24’x30’ two car garage to keep his classic cars out of the elements. The applicant noted his hardships as the zoning change in 2003, the location of wetlands on the property and the location of the septic tank and well. Also speaking in favor was Kay Molochko of 7 Edgewood Drive, sister of the applicant. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. ~~~~~ #V-08-32 Appeal of Patricia Coffey for property at 491 Canterbury Tpke, located in R-40 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, front yard setback, 50’ required to be reduced to 26’ in order to construct 8’x28’ deck w/stairs & replace front stoop. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Santo Rizzuto. Page 2 of 4  Ms. Craig entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, as “B”, public notices of 8/27/08 & 9/3/08; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map; and as “F”, applicant’s sketch. Speaking in favor was the applicant Eddie Ashford and Patricia Coffey of 491 Canterbury Turnpike. They stated they would like to build a 28’x 8’ deck on the side of the house and replace the front stoop in the same footprint. The hardship is the fact that city owns 10’ of property to the side and the location of the septic in the back of the house, the minimal living space and the location of the side door and driveway. Mr. Ashford told the Board it would enhance the property. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. ~~~~~ I. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON APPLICATIONS #V-08-30 Appeal of Paul Butcher for property at 1-2 Terrace Avenue, located in an MF zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, front yard (Shetucket Ave) setback, 25’ required to be reduced to 11’ in order to rebuild 2-story porch & exterior stairs. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Santo Rizzuto. The Board noted the hardship as the three front yards, the existing dangerous situation and the need for a second means of egress for emergency situations. On a motion by Rizzuto/Kramarewicz it was unanimously voted to approve the variance. #V-08-30 Appeal of Paul Butcher for property at 1-2 Terrace Avenue, located in an MF zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, front yard (Shetucket Ave) setback, 25’ required to be reduced to 11’ in order to rebuild 2-story porch & exterior stairs. APPROVED ~~~~~ #V-08-31 Appeal of Peter Phelan for property at 15 Browning Road, located in an R-80 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, westerly side yard setback, 40’ required to be reduced to 30’ in order to construct 24’x30’ garage. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. The Board discussed the irregular shape of the property and the location of the septic and wetlands. On a motion by Dussault/Kramarewicz it was unanimously voted to Page 3 of 4  approve the variance. #V-08-31 Appeal of Peter Phelan for property at 15 Browning Road, located in an R-80 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, westerly side yard setback, 40’ required to be reduced to 30’ in order to construct 24’x30’ garage. APPROVED ~~~~~ #V-08-32 Appeal of Patricia Coffey for property at 491 Canterbury Tpke, located in R-40 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, front yard setback, 50’ required to be reduced to 26’ in order to construct 8’x28’ deck w/stairs & replace front stoop. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Santo Rizzuto. The Board discussed the hardship as the location of the side door, the septic and the fact that the City owns the abutting property. The owners would have reasonable use of their property if this were granted. On a motion by Rizzuto/Kramarewicz it was unanimously voted to approve the variance. #V-08-32 Appeal of Patricia Coffey for property at 491 Canterbury Tpke, located in R-40 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, front yard setback, 50’ required to be reduced to 26’ in order to construct 8’x28’ deck w/stairs & replace front stoop. APPROVED ~~~~~ J. OTHER MATTERS K. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Kramarewicz/Rizzuto it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Paulette Craig, Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Page 4 of 4