Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
And, we only have one item on the docket for tonight, 98 Hastings Avenue, which we talked about last meeting, and then we had a site visit a few weeks ago. And so we're back here to discuss it again. Thor, would you like to come up and... Do you have anything you wanna say beforehand?
Not particularly. Thanks for making the site visit and happy to answer any questions you have.
Okay. Okay. Patrick, were you there? I was not. You were not there? I I don't really have any questions. I mean, I have other things to talk about, but I don't know Patrick.
I've reviewed the materials. You feel I think there's sufficient information here. Okay. Okay.
The one thing I wanted to talk about was the two year variance as opposed to the one year variance. And I don't what everyone thinks about that. Well, you know what? Let's close... Let's open to public hearing. Public... The public, anyone wanna say anything from the public? Any comments? Okay. And we'll close the public hearing and now we'll discuss at the board. Yeah. And we may ask you some questions. Sure. Yeah. Because I think we understand the the variance but I think it's the the two year versus one year. I was curious what people thought about that.
My personal view is that after doing the site visit and speaking to the homeowner, understanding a lot of this is going be either done by the homeowner or contracted by the homeowner. You know, sometimes it takes a while to do a project. Normally, I think one year is the limit. Correct? Right.
Big difference. And then how long... I guess it's up to the building department to set how long the... Oh, the permit lasts. How long the permit lasts? So permit would last two years. Okay. So... So, basically, you have three years with a one year variance. And this is what you intend to apply for? This is this is what you
I think I just checked the two year box knowing it was a possibility Yeah. That things take longer than expected. I think the first time we did the porch, we ended up getting a new boiler that year. Mhmm. The second year we tried to do the porch, I think we got a new car. So Yeah. You know, who knows what's coming? My my concern is that we set a precedent.
And then the next, you know, it's hard to... I don't really see, like, a reason for it. You have three years to be... One year to commence, two years to Like, it's not something we've ever done before. I don't really see a reason to do it here. Okay. My personal opinion.
I don't think we've ever done one. No. I've been on But it's an option. I've been on the zoning board since 2006.
I I think we have done. I can't come up with an example, but I think it has happened.
Not that I recall. I don't recall either, but I mean... But it is a checkbox, like, on the application. You can check Yeah. Two years as a request. Yes.
my wife, Cristina, just said, I think it's good for you to have a deadline. So so I think she's with you, James. She's she's fine getting it started in a year. Okay. Within a year. That makes total sense. Okay. And then two years to complete. Right, Ron? So it's usually a thing. It's Yeah. Funny. Yeah. If it if it makes it easier for you to decide, it's great.
Yeah. I I I just don't wanna get in a situation that it sees... We set a precedent that the next person comes over and we don't, you know, we don't... There's a reason it's one year you want people to Okay. To build when they say they're gonna build and situations change. Okay. So so the only thing we're going to vote on then, any more questions? No. I mean, we all had a good look at it. We have a lot of support letters from the neighbors. You're very helpful explaining the variance. And there's two variances tonight. One's the renewal of the front porch variance. Right. Then, do people have their application from last week? I actually forgot it.
two separate applications. Oh, two separate. There's two forms. It's but it's gonna be one variance? Well, one application. One application? Oh, right. Right. Right. Okay. Oh, you reprinted. Okay. You reprinted the resolution. The draft. Right. The draft.... On the bottom. Yep. So before we vote, let's go over the, five factors. K. No undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood near detriment to nearby properties will be reduced by granting the variance?
The benefits sought by the applicant can cannot be achieved by method other than the requested variance? Either way. When you say the benefit sought is is to get a little more height on the grudge. And we're only talking the the very back of it that needs the variance. Right?
It's my understanding that that that the encroachment on the setback is actually gonna be less after the undercoating of this plan than the current than the current structure is.
Did I understand that correctly? The drawing appears to be closer or further from the property line.
The the current... The the proposed encroachment on the setback is actually smaller than the original
nonconforming setback. I think... Yeah. So the wall is staying in the same place as it is today on the on the back of the garage. Is that what you're talking about? Yeah. But I think the way the survey is and once you guys got back there, right, it's the neighbor's fence is actually
further away, right on the other side of the line. Is that what you meant? Mhmm. So we're not getting any closer. Right. That answers the question. Okay. What are we gonna say? Cannot cannot... I always say cannot be achieved by method other than requested. Doug?
Right. Is there any reason why... And you look at that survey that was included with this stuff, but all three garages seem to be like, three feet off the the rear. Was that a different code in 1951?
I could be wrong. I know there's provisions for doing, like, sheds back. I I don't know your answer. Yeah. Okay. Alright.
I guess it doesn't matter because we're getting the variance for... To go beyond that. The requested variance is is not substantial. I don't think it's substantial. So so we're doing this right now. We're gonna do this, I guess we have to do it twice, once for the front, the back, and once for the front?
Proposed variance will, will not have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district? No. No? Will not? Alleged difficulty by the applicant was, was not self created. I would say it was.
Right. But but he...... Request is. Not to do anything is is anyway, okay. So now let's do the let's do the porch. So the porch.
Do we need to talk about it or is everyone familiar with it? Because we've talked to... This is a renewal of... Yeah. Renewal of one that we already... That we gave. And it's kind of a small variance. One foot side,
Seems a bit... Seems to be a very small addition. Yeah. It's a very small variance. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So let's go,
do the five factors before we vote. No undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood nor detriment to nearby properties will produce by granting the variance.
with Doug. That would be an improvement. It's a nice portion. The benefits up by the applicant can cannot be achieved by method other than the requested variance. I guess you could tweak the porch.
Yeah. Remember this is... Remember we talked about when you you explained to us it was a two family house? What John is saying is the existing home is placed at the front yard, set back in any front porch. So I would say
Okay. If you want. Yeah. The requested variance is is not substantial. I would say it is not. I would say not. Agreed. The proposed variance will, will not have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental condition in the neighborhood or district? Will not. Will not. The difficulty alleged by the applicant was, was not self created. Self created, Doug? Yeah. Okay. I'll go with that. Okay. So does someone wanna make a motion? Stephanie, how do we handle the the the one year versus two year on this? Do we have to vote on that? Do we have to do three votes or one vote?
So you could, yeah, you could break it up into two. Do the first two since it sounds like you're in agreement with the draft, and then the the two year vote separately on that one? Yeah.
I I think it's good doing too. Yeah. Let's do two. Sure. Okay. Just in case it breaks up and they don't... Honestly, I probably just do three. Yeah. I mean three. That's what I meant. I just do three. Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. Yes. That's what I meant. I meant three. Yep.
I'll make a motion, that we approve a one foot side yard variance and a 2.2 foot total side yard variance for the proposed porch in addition.
Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. Number two. Does someone want to make a motion on the rear? Shall we have Doug do it for consistency?
I'll propose we we grant a two foot rear yard and 1.9 foot side yard setback variance for the proposed alteration to the garage roof, the height of 15 feet at the ridge. Second.
Okay. And lastly, go. Go. And lastly, a grants... A variance be granted to allow for two years. You're doing so well, Doug? I propose we grant
Okay. Okay. Thank you very much. We're all set. Thank you, guys. Appreciate it. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Good to see you. Very good to see you. Thanks, Bill. Thanks. Now it's all Ron's problem.
I was watching. That's okay. That's... Gonna punt us.... Supposed to be. Punt us to run. See you guys. Thanks. Okay.
The only other thing we have tonight is the minutes from the last meeting, and I actually read through them, and I thought they're great, well written. Yeah. Just found it tight.
Which one? Oh, really? Didn't even pick it. After I printed it, and I was like, I'm not Well, I didn't even know... In the draft... The earlier draft, I didn't notice it. The only thing is I I did notice one spelling error at the very first paragraph under number two. It's Robinson. Just an extra I in there.
Okay. You were there. Right? Yep. For venison. This one... Someone make a motion. Now can Patrick vote on this since he was here for part of it? How does that work? That was only for one of the two.
Right. Right. Okay. So let's have Patrick not vote on this just to keep it simple. Alright. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. I'll second it. All in favor? Aye. Okay. Thank you. That will conclude our meeting. Thank you.