Zoning Board of Appeals

DRAFT CITY OF NORWICH ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS October 14, 2009 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: Joseph Jacaruso, Co-Chairman Dorothy Travers Henry Olender Paul Kramarewicz ABSENT: Marc Benjamin, Chairman Raymond Dussault, Alternate ALSO PRESENT: Nancy Bram- Mereen, Zoning Enforcement Officer Darlene Fedus- Papineau, Recording Secretary ~~~~~ E. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE ~~~~~ F. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES On a motion by Kramarewicz/Rizzuto, it was voted unanimously to accept the September 13, 2009 meeting minutes as presented. ~~~~~ G. OLD BUSINESS #V-09-18 Appeal of Christopher Barile for property located at 181 Plain Hill Rd., located in an R-40 zone district. In accordance with Sec.4.1.1, Strengthening and Restoration; Sec 12.1, front yard reduction from 50’to 47’ in order to access and egress existing structure after existing building was considered unsafe. Seated were Joseph Jacaruso, Dorothy Travers, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Santo Rizzuto. . ~~~~~ Ms. Bram-Mereen entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, 1 of 6  as “B”, public notices of 08/26/09 & 09/02/09; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map; as “F”, applicant’s site plan; as “G”, Memo to Building Department and photos; and as “H”, Photos of elevation. Speaking in favor was the applicant, Christopher Barile. He told the Board during construction of the addition, unforeseen rot and termite infestation were discovered. The structure was deemed unsafe and therefore demolished. The applicant then needed to revise the original zoning permit to include reconstruction of the original structure on the existing foundation walls. The front porch would not meet current setbacks so a variance is needed to reduce the front from 50’ to 32’. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. H. NEW BUSINESS #V-09-22Appeal of Diane Decker for property located at 396 Wawecus Hill Rd., located in a R-80 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, Reduction from front line setback 60’ to 42’; Sec. 12.1-reduction of rear lot line setback 60’ to 3’ to construct addition between two pre-existing conforming structures. Seated were Joseph Jacaruso, Dorothy Travers, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Santo Rizzuto. Ms. Bram-Mereen entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, as “B”, public notices of 09/30/09 & 10/7/09; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map; as “F”, applicant’s site plan; as “G”, Memo to Building Department and photos; and as “H”, Uncas Health report. Speaking in favor was the applicants’ daughter, Lorraine McKenney of 396 Wawecus Hill Road. She told the Board that the current house is very small and is on a narrow and sloping property. The applicant would like to connect the house to the garage by breezeway and have a recreation room. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. ~~~~~ #V-09-19 Appeal of Dawn Touhey for property located at 61 Reynolds St. Ext., located in an MF zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, side yard reduction from 10’ to 2’ to construct a garage on a narrow and sloping property. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. Page 2 of 6  Ms. Bram-Mereen entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, as “B”, public notices of 08/26/09 & 09/02/09; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map & sketch; and as “F”, photos. Speaking in favor was the applicants Dawn Twomey and Allen Stencil of 61 Reynolds Street Extension. The applicants told the Board that there was a fence bordering the properties and a storm had taken the fence down thus creating an open area whereas they then erected the structure to the house to store tools etc. They told the Board the structure is in harmony with the neighborhood and the neighbors were not opposed. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. ~~~~~ #V-09-20 Appeal of D. Cormier for property located at 135/139 Yantic Road, located in an R-80 zone district. In accordance with Sec.12.1, side yard reduction from 40’ to 5’ in order to permit expansion of legal, pre-existing, non-conforming manufacturing use and building. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. Ms. Bram-Mereen entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, as “B”, public notices of 08/26/09 & 09/02/09; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map; as “F”, applicant’s site plans. Speaking in favor was Pat Lafayette, agent for the applicant. He told the Board that the previous application he submitted was incorrect due to the GIS. An A-2 survey was done on the property and the reduction needed to be from 40’ to 5’. The Board discussed they would modify last months approved variance. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. ~~~~~ #V-09-21 Appeal of Tracy Golas for property located at 3651/2 Mohegan Park Rd. located in an R-40 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 3.23.1, Rear Lots; Sec. 3.1.3 Reduction of lot area of 79,715 SF to 64,714 SF of rear lot to make abutting front lot (365 Mohegan Park Rd) more conforming to sustain a septic system upgrade and make a lot line adjustment. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. Ms. Bram-Mereen entered into the record as Exhibit “A”, the application, as “B”, public notices of 08/26/09 & 09/02/09; as “C”, abutters’ notices; as “D”, Page 3 of 6  Assessor’s street card; as “E”, GIS map; as “F”, Section Definition. Speaking in favor was the applicant Tracy Golas. Mr. Golas told the Board he owns both properties that abut in the front and he would like to reduce the rear lot and expand the front yard to accommodate a septic upgrade. They would not be creating a new lot they would just be making a boundary line adjustment to add 15,000 square feet to his front lot. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. I. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON APPLICATIONS V-09-19 Appeal of Dawn Touhey for property located at 61 Reynolds St. Ext., located in an MF zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, side yard reduction from 10’ to 2’ to construct a garage on a narrow and sloping property. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. The Board discussed the topography and the small lot size as a hardship. It was also noted that it would be the most logical place for the structure for the owner to have reasonable use of her property. Mr. Dussault mentioned the fact that a condition could be placed regarding windows. On a motion by Rizzuto/Benjamin, it was voted unanimously to approve the variance with a condition. ~~~~~ #V-09-19 Appeal of Dawn Touhey for property located at 61 Reynolds St. Ext., located in an MF zone district. In accordance with Sec. 12.1, side yard reduction from 10’ to 2’ to construct a garage on a narrow and sloping property.APPROVED WITH CONDITION THAT WINDOWS OR DOORS WILL NOT BE PLACED ON THE SIDE OF THE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNER AND GUTTERS WILL BE PITCHED PROPERLY TO THE REAR AND FRONT OF PROPERTY. ~~~~~ #V-09-20 Appeal of D. Cormier for property located at 135/139 Yantic Road, located in an R-80 zone district. In accordance with Sec.12.1, side yard reduction from 40’ to 5’ in order to permit expansion of legal, pre-existing, Page 4 of 6  non-conforming manufacturing use and building. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. The Board made motion to support the modification of the application. On a motion by Dussault/Jacaruso it was unanimously voted to approve the variance. ~~~~~ #V-09-20 Appeal of D. Cormier for property located at 135/139 Yantic Road, located in an R-80 zone district. In accordance with Sec.12.1, side yard reduction from 40’ to 5’ in order to permit expansion of legal, pre-existing, non-conforming manufacturing use and building.APPROVED ~~~~~ #V-09-21 Appeal of Tracy Golas for property located at 3651/2 Mohegan Park Rd. located in an R-40 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 3.23.1, Rear Lots; Sec. 3.1.3 Reduction of lot area of 79,715 SF to 64,714 SF of rear lot to make abutting front lot (365 Mohegan Park Rd) more conforming to sustain a septic system upgrade and make a lot line adjustment. Seated were Marc Benjamin, Joseph Jacaruso, Henry Olender, Paul Kramarewicz, and Raymond Dussault. The Board discussed the hardship as safety and the fact that the applicant does not have municipal utilities and it will add to the conformity of lots on that side of the street. On a motion by Kramarewicz/Dussault it was unanimously voted to approve the variance. #V-09-21 Appeal of Tracy Golas for property located at 3651/2 Mohegan Park Rd. located in an R-40 zone district. In accordance with Sec. 3.23.1, Rear Lots; Sec. 3.1.3 Reduction of lot area of 79,715 SF to 64,714 SF of rear lot to make abutting front lot (365 Mohegan Park Rd) more conforming to sustain a septic system upgrade and make a lot line adjustment.APPROVED ~~~~~ K. ADJOURNMENT Page 5 of 6  On a motion by Dussault/Kramarewicz, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Page 6 of 6