Unofficial summary. This is a community summary of the town's official minutes, provided so the record is searchable and readable. It condenses the meeting and may omit detail. Some private individuals’ personal details have been left out. The official signed PDF is the complete record of authority.
Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Schaghticoke — January 4, 2018, at the Town Hall, 290 Northline Drive, Melrose. The meeting opened at 7:30 PM with roll call.
Present: Ed McDonough (Chairman), Kristin Griswold, Jason Shover, Rich Geddis, Lettie Saheim (arrived late due to weather), and Elizabeth Hale, Clerk (arrived late due to weather). Absent: Kristin Pratt, Deputy Town Attorney.
No public hearings were scheduled.
Regular meeting
- December 7, 2017 minutes approved as submitted (Shover · Geddis — Ayes: McDonough, Shover, Geddis; Nays: none; Abstention: Griswold).
Business
Joe Navarra — area variance (323 Speigletown Road). Applicant Joe Navarra appeared with a completed application, check, and fee. He seeks to install a new fence around the front and sides of his home and barn to protect animals and children, requesting a one-foot height variance; the fence would sit six feet from the road. Chairman McDonough gave an overview and the Board reviewed submitted copies and photos.
- Motion to schedule a public hearing for February 1, 2018 at 7:35 PM (McDonough · Griswold — Ayes: Shover, Geddis, Griswold, McDonough; Nays: none).
Lois Cerkowski — two area variances (105 South Crystal Street, Mechanicville). An agent, engineer Mr. Rabideau, appeared representing applicant/property owner Lois Cerkowski (check pending). The applicant wishes to subdivide the existing lot into three parcels: Lots A and B for a duplex on each and Lot C to remain a single-family, owner-occupied home. The requests are a side-setback variance on Lot C (from 10 ft to 9.1 ft) and, on Lots A and B (two identically sized buildings on two identically sized lots), a minimum-area variance of 3,175 sq ft each where 10,000 sq ft is required.
- Motion to hold a public hearing on February 1, 2018 at 7:50 PM (McDonough · Shover — Ayes: Griswold, Geddis, Shover, McDonough; Nays: none).
Steep Slope inquiry. A third applicant had been expected regarding a potential area variance for a property on Hudson Avenue, believed to be in the Steep Slope overlay. It was determined the property is not in the overlay, so no variance is needed.
Adirondack Rebar — “change in use” variance (Dan Moreno). A completed application with check was submitted by Dan Moreno for his business, Adirondack Rebar. The Board raised numerous concerns: the application was too vague; the size and any setback requirements were undetermined; there were past environmental concerns on the property; use variances are held to a stricter standard, requiring proof of financial hardship. Chairman McDonough directed the applicant to consult the Planning Board (where the volume of truck traffic had been questioned) and noted the required EAF, site plan, and supporting data had not been submitted, so no hearing could be scheduled. Deputy Town Attorney Kristin Pratt sent the applicant a letter to that effect by First Class Mail.
Joint session. A joint meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board was set for January 18, 2018 at 7:00 PM to further discuss potential changes to the Zoning Law.
Adjourned at 7:55 PM (Shover · Griswold). Respectfully submitted by Kristin Griswold, Member, Zoning Board of Appeals (dated January 5, 2018).
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