Zoning Board of Appeals

Office of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Schaghticoke — June 6, 2019, at the Town Hall, 290 Northline Drive, Melrose. The meeting opened at 7:31 p.m.

Present: Ed McDonough (Chairman), Kristin Griswold, and Lettie Saheim. Absent: Rich Geddis and Jason Shover. Also present: Kristin Pratt (Deputy Town Attorney) and Elizabeth Hale (Clerk).

Regular meeting

Because there was not a quorum of members present who had also attended the May 2019 meeting, the May 2, 2019 minutes could not be approved and will be reviewed in July. As the first Thursday in July falls on the Fourth of July holiday, the Board agreed to move the July meeting to July 11, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., with notice to be published in the newspaper.

Matthew Charde — Application #2-19 (Tax Map #70.11-2-15)

Applicant Matthew Charde presented an application for an area variance to allow construction of a residence on a proposed lot of approximately 9,621 square feet in a Hamlet District, across the street from the Hudson River at 330 Riverbend Road (Pleasantdale). Because the minimum lot area per dwelling unit is 10,000 square feet, a variance of about 379 square feet is required; all setbacks (including the 100-foot river setback) would be met. Mr. Charde’s residence is currently on the 330 Riverbend Road lot; if the variance is granted he intends to seek a subdivision from the Planning Board, with the residual lot meeting all setbacks. He had consulted the Army Corps of Engineers, and public water and sewer are available. Chairman McDonough reviewed the appeal process, including notifying residents within 500 feet, and the public-hearing sequence. Mr. Charde submitted the application, short-form EAF, and the $150 fee.

• Motion to hold a public hearing on Application #2-19 (Matthew Charde) on July 11, 2019 at 7:35 p.m. (Griswold · Saheim — Ayes: McDonough, Griswold, Saheim; Nays: none).

Michael Neamon (Tax Map #51.2-3-36.1 and 51.2.3.46)

Michael Neamon appeared to discuss adding a deck to the rear of his residence in a Hamlet District at the corner of Church Street and NYS Route 40, presenting a map of the proposed deck and surrounding dwellings. He had not measured setbacks but believed he met the Code except possibly at the northerly rear corner, where the setback may be only 15 feet (the Code requires a 20-foot rear-yard setback). He noted Building Inspector Scott Frisino had visited but took no measurements. Chairman McDonough encouraged Mr. Neamon to measure the rear-corner distance to confirm whether a variance is needed before submitting an application and fee, and, if required, to download the application and short-form EAF from the town website.

• Motion to hold a public hearing on the Neamon application (should a variance be required) on July 11, 2019 at 7:45 p.m. (McDonough · Saheim — Ayes: McDonough, Griswold, Saheim; Nays: none).

Pearl Street subdivision inquiry (Tax Map area — Hemstreet Park)

A resident appeared to discuss property owned by members of his family at 164 Pearl Street, in the Hamlet District of Hemstreet Park. The dwelling was formerly his grandfather’s and is now occupied by, and believed owned by, several of his aunts. The 62-foot-wide parcel runs from Pearl Street to South Crystal Street; he is considering subdividing it into two lots and building a 28×34-foot, two-bedroom carriage house on the new lot with access from South Crystal Street, while preserving green space. Public water and sewer are available. Chairman McDonough provided the Zoning Code’s front-, side-, and rear-setback and minimum-lot-size requirements and advised that area variances (for rear-yard setback and minimum square footage) may be required, followed by a Planning Board subdivision application. The Board noted that, if pursued, the property owners would need to sign the application with a notarized signature to authorize the appeal.

Adjourned at 8:10 p.m. (McDonough · Griswold — Ayes: McDonough, Griswold, Saheim; Nays: none). Submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk (dated July 13, 2019).