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Town of Wappinger Zoning Board of Appeals Town Hall
MEETING DATE: February 26, 2013 20 Middlebush Road
TIME: 7:30 PM Wappinger Falls, NY
Acceptance of the Minutes from January 12, 2013 and February 12, 2013
Public Hearing:
Appeal No. 13-7482
Ronald Ferris-Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-37 of Zoning Regulations in an
R-20 Zoning District.
-Where 20 feet to the side vard is required for a two car garage addition, the
applicant can onlyprovide 17 feet, thus requesting a 3 foot side vard variance.
The property is located at 5 David Loop and is identified by Tax Grid No. 6157-02-
976678.
Apaeal No. 13-7478
Danny & Anna Leone-Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-37 of Zoning
Regulations in an R-15 Zoning District.
-Where 15 feet to the rear is required for an existing 15' X 30' above ground
pool and a 6' X 8' deck, the applicant can only provide 6.2 feet, thus requesting a
an 8.8 foot rear yard setback.
-Where 6 feet to the side vard is required fora 10' X 12' existing shed, the
applicant can only provide 0 feet, thus requesting a 6 foot side vard variance.
The property is located at 1 Amherst Lane and is identified by Tax Grid No. 6057-02-
700568.
Appeal No. 12-7477
Verizon Wireless- Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-81 (G)(3)(c)[1] of District
Zoning Regulations in a COP Zoning District.
-Where 1,500 feet on a horizontal plane to anv structure which is to be occupied
by a public or private school, the applicant can only provide -0- feet.
-Where a minimum distance of 750 feet on a horizontal plane from anv daycare
center, church or place of worship, the applicant can only provide -0- feet.
The property is located at 155-179 Myers Corners Road and is identified by Tax Grid
No. 6258-03-350303.
~~
Discussion:
Anneal No. 13-7483
Mousa Nesheiwat-Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-3 of Zoning Regulations in
an R-40 Zoning District.
-Where 50 feet to the front vard is required for the construction of a house on an
existing non-conforming footprint, the applicant can only provide 32.3 feet, thus
requesting a 17.7 foot front vard variance.
-Where 50 feet to the rear vard is required for the construction of a house on an
existing non-conforming footprint, the applicant can only provide 18.1 feet, thus
requesting a 31.9 foot variance.
The property is located at 94 Robinson Lane and is identified by Tax Grid No. 6459-
03-070409.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
MINUTES
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
February 26, 2013
Summarized Minutes
Members:
Others Present:
Mr. Prager Member
Mr. Della Corte Absent
Mr. Casella Member
Mr. Johnston Member
Mr. Galotti Member
February 26, 2013
Town Hall
20 Middlebush Road
Wappinger Falls, NY
Mrs. Roberti Zoning Administrator
Ms. Rose Secretary
Mr. Horan Attorney
Summary
Danny & Anna Leone
Ronald Ferris
Pool Granted-Shed Tabled until March 18th
Variance Granted
Verizon Wireless Variance Granted
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals February 26, 2013
Mr. Prager: First item on the agenda is to approve the minutes from
January 8, 2013 and February 12, 2013 (with typo correction)
Mr. Casella: I make a motion to approve the minutes from ]anuary
8, 2013 and February 12, 2013.
Mr. ]ohnston: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Mr. Prager: The next item on the agenda is a Public Hearing on:
Anneal No. 13-7482
Ronald Ferris-Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-37 of Zoning Regulations in an
R-20 Zoning District.
-Where 20 feet to the side vard is required for a two car garage addition, the
applicant can only urovide 17 feet, thus requesting a 3 foot side vard variance.
The property is located at 5 David Loou and is identified by Tax Grid No. 6157-02-
976678.
Mr. Prager: Are all the mailings in order?
Ms. Rose: Yes, sir.
Mr. Prager: Can I have a motion to open the Public Hearing?
Mr. Galotti: I make a motion to open the Public Hearing.
Mr. ]ohnston: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Mr. Prager: Please come up and state your name and the reason for the
variance.
Mr. Ferris: My name is Ronald Ferris and I live at 5 David Loop. I would
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals February 26, 2013
like to make a 2 car garage which will be attached to
my existing garage. The garage will be 2 cars deep. The
variance I need is because I only have 17 feet to my side
property line and I need 20 feet.
Mr. Prager: We did have a site inspection. Does anyone have any
questions?
Mr. Galotti: Will the siding be the same as is on the house?
Mr. Ferris: It will be exactly the same.
Mr. Prager: Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak for
or against this variance?
Mr. Prager: Let the record show there is no one in the audience for or
against this variance. Can I have a motion to close the Public
Hearing?
Mr. Casella: I make a motion to close the Public Hearing.
Mr. ]ohnston: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Mr. Prager: Do I have a motion to grant the variance?
Mr. ]ohnston: I make a motion to grant the variance. It is not an
undesirable change to the neighborhood and it will
not change the character in any way. It is only a 3
foot variance which is not substantial and it will not
have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood.
Mr. Casella: Second
Mr. Prager: Roll call vote.
Ms. Rose: Mr. Casella: Aye
Peter Galotti: Aye
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
Mr. Prager:
Mr. Ferris:
Mr. Prager:
Auueal No. 13-7478
Bob Johnston:
Howard Prager:
February 26, 2013
Aye
Aye
The motion has been granted for the variance.
Thank You.
The next item on the agenda is another Public Hearing:
Danny & Anna Leone-Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-37 of Zoning
Regulations in an R-15 Zoning District.
-Where 15 feet to the rear is required for an existing 15' X 30' above ground
pool and a 6' X 8' deck, the applicant can only urovide 6.2 feet, thus requesting a
an 8.8 foot rear yard setback.
-Where 6 feet to the side vard is required fora 10' X 12' existing shed, the
applicant can only urovide 0 feet, thus requesting a 6 foot side vard variance.
The property is located at 1 Amherst Lane and is identii`led by Tax Grid No. 6057-02-
700568.
Mr. Prager: Sue, are all the mailings in order?
Ms. Rose: Yes sir.
Mr. Prager: Can I have a motion to open the Public Hearing?
Mr. Johnston: I make a motion to open the Public Hearing.
Mr. Casella: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Mr. Prager: Please state your name and the reason you would like this
variance.
Mr. & Mrs. Leone: Danny Leone and Anna Leone. I need a variance for the
existing shed that is right on the property line. It has been
there for a while. The existing pool is where the old one was
I just turned it. Now I need a variance because I am to
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
February 26, 2013
close to the other property.
Mr. Prager: If I remember correctly, we had a discussion about this a
couple of weeks ago. You said you installed that shed in
1994?
Mr. Leone: Yes, in 1994.
Mr. Prager: Barbara, do we have a permit for it?
Mrs. Roberti: No, not for the shed.
Mr. Prager: Did I notice an electrical cord coming out of the shed?
Mr. Leone: No, I was just using a vacuum cleaner in the shed.
Mr. Prager: We did have a site inspection. Does anybody have any
questions?
Mr. Johnston: Do you still have 2 fences?
Mr. Leone: Stockade fences?
Mr. Johnston: Wasn't there stockade fencing up against the fence by the
shed.
Mr. Leone: On the side.
Mr. Prager: Where the boat is?
Mr. Leone: Yes.
Mr. Prager: The 2 stakes that you put in the ground I noticed aren't up
against the shed.
Mr. Leone: It's about 4 inches away from the shed.
Mr. Prager: One is a little more than the other; maybe 3 feet.
Mr. Leone: One is about a foot and a half. The one all the way down is
in line with the fence and the other one is about 4 inches
away from the fence.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals February 26, 2013
Mr. Prager: Is there anyone in the audience that has anything to say
about this variance.
Mr. Prager: Let the record show there is no one in the audience for or
against this variance. Can I have a motion to close the
Public Hearing?
Mr. ]ohnston: I make a motion to close the Public Hearing.
Mr. Galotti: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Mr. Prager: I would like to vote separately since they are both different.
Mr. Prager: Let's do the pool first. I need a motion to grant a 6.2 foot
variance for the pool.
Mr. Galotti: I make a motion to grant the variance for the pool.
It cannot be achieved any other way. It does not
have an undesirable change to the neighborhood.
There are no adverse effects to the environment.
Mr. Johnston: Second.
Mr. Prager: Can I have a roll call vote?
Ms. Rose: This is for the pool?
Mr. Prager: Yes.
Ms. Rose: AI Casella Yes
Peter Galotti Yes
Bob ]ohnston Yes
Howard Johnston Yes
Mr. Prager: Can I have a motion to grant the -0- foot variance for the
shed?
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
February 26, 2013
Mr. Casella: I make a motion to grant the variance. It is not an
undesirable change to the neighborhood. It has been
there since 1994. They would have to physically
have to take it down. There have been no complaints
from any of the neighbors. It is not a detriment to
the neighborhood. It is self created. The variance is
substantial.
Mr. Galotti: Second.
Mr. Prager: Roll call vote.
Mr. Horan: Mr. Chairman one modification with that. It is my
understanding that the shed is located on an easement
shown on the subdivision plot which existed long before the
property owners here. In essence there is a water main
underneath or very close to the shed. The condition should
be for the life of this shed. In the event this shed should
be taken down, the new one should be erected that it be
erected outside the easement.
Mr. Casella: Sue, please make the modification.
Ms. Rose: Yes, (Please note above modification to Mr. Casella's
motion).
Mr. Galotti: Second.
Mr. Prager: Roll call vote.
Ms. Rose: AI Casella Yes
Peter Galotti Yes
Bob ]ohnston No
Howard Prager No
Mr. Prager: Basically, that it is on the property line we always keep a
distance from that line just in case there is a problem and
we have to get on that property. Being that it is 2 to 2, it is
going to be denied.
Ms. Murphy: Can I say something.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
Mr. Prager:
Ms. Rose:
February 26, 2013
It is a little too late since we voted on it.
Can I have your name and address?
Ms. Murphy: Theresa Murphy and I live at 10 Cameron Lane. I didn't
know when I could speak but I live next door and we do not
have a problem with the shed.
Mr. Horan: If I may Mr. Chairman, I think we should probably give the
applicant the ability to adjourn this variance to another
meeting with a full board.
Mr. Prager: Igo along with that.
Ms. Murphy: I think the water line you are talking about is actually on our
property.
Mr. Horan: It is on both.
Mr. Prager: (Looking at the map) Yes it is on both according to the map.
If you could move it, it would be fine. I didn't realize that
we would not have our 5th person here. It may or may not
help you.
Mr. Horan: For parliamentary purpose, motion to table the resolution for
the next meeting.
Mr. Prager: We need to table this portion of the variance since they are
being treated separately.
Mr. Horan: Yes.
Mr. Prager: Do I have a motion to table this portion of the variance until
the next meeting.
Mr. Galotti: I make a motion to table this portion of the variance.
Mr. ]ohnston: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals February 26, 2013
Mr. Prager: The next item on the agenda is another Public Hearing:
Appeal No. 12-7477
Verizon Wireless- Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-81 (G)(3)(c)[1] of District
Zoning Regulations in a COP Zoning District.
-Where 1,500 feet on a horizontal ulane to anv structure which is to be occuuied
by a uublic or private school, the applicant can only provide -0- feet.
-Where a minimum distance of 750 feet on a horizontal ulane from anv davcare
center, church or glace of worship, the applicant can only provide -0- feet.
The property is located at 155-179 Mvers Corners Road and is identified by Tax Grid
No. 6258-03-350303.
Mr. Prager: Sue, are all the mailings in order?
Ms. Rose: Yes, sir.
Mr. Prager: Do I have a motion to open the Public Hearing?
Mr. ]ohnston: I make a motion to open the Public Hearing.
Mr. Galotti: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Mr. Olsen: My name is Scott Olsen and I represent Verizon Wireless.
The gentleman hanging up the map is Michael Orchard for
Techtronic Engineering. We are proposing installing a new
wireless communication facility at 155 Myers Corners Road.
There will be 12 antennas on the roof of the building and a
12 x 30 equipment shed at the base of the building. In our
application we provided a RF analyzes which explains why
we need this new site. We have a gap in service in this
area. We have been able to negotiate a lease with the
landlord of which you have in your records. Having this will
prevent us from having to build new towers. One of the
most important thing in the record is we have certification
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals February 26, 2013
from a NYS licensed engineer. In which he states, our facility
that we are proposing will be in full compliance with all FCC
regulations. We will not accede any single threshold that is
permitted by law. We will be in the neighborhood of 500 less
of what we could do legally. There is an interference study
in the records that show these antennas will not interfere
with any of the neighboring telephone, cable, and tv. They
operate different frequencies. We utilize all FCC approved
equipment that we use. In doing so it is guaranteed not to
interfere. There is additional information in the material but I
think these are the most important. If you have any
questions, I will be more than happy to answer them.
Mr. Galotti: We were there a Saturday to physically see what is going
on.
Mr. Johnston: Is the shed on the east side of the building or the west side?
Mr. Orchard: (Pointing to the map) it is on the west side.
Mr. Prager: Why that building? You have 3 buildings there.
Mr. Olsen: This is Rick Andras. He is the engineer for Verizon Wireless.
Mr. Andras: It is RF driven. The building to the west is 10 feet lower.
Mr. Johnston: How many pounds are they?
Mr. Andras: 15 pounds. 3 sectors of 5. The reason the front part of the
building was not utilized is because one of the tenants for
security reasons did not want a lot of traffic in the front part
of the building. We kept all our improvement to the rear of
the building.
Mr. Prager: At the last meeting, you had mentioned that they are safe.
How far away from the antennas do you have to be safe?
Did you ever find out the distance? The fire department
does go on the roofs often. Will there be signage up there?
Mr. Olsen: There will be signs. There will be signs going up to the roof.
There will be warning signs with a telephone number on it
so people will not enter without full knowledge. Your
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
Mr. Prager:
Mr. Olsen:
Mr. Prager:
February 26, 2013
questions before was what if the fire department has to go
up there. What I was told is that you call that number if you
have to go up there.
24x7.
Yes and if for some reason you need to be in front of the
antennas, they would turn it down.
What is the distance if they were on?
Mr. Andras: It is very similar to a flash light. The game is in the forward
direction, so if you are standing behind it the energy is
projected up and down the road.
Mr. Prager: What if I am standing in front of it.
Mr. Andras: Typically 2 feetish. Not to say it is not safe if you are closer.
You wouldn't be allowed to stay there days on end.
Mr. Olsen: Under OSHA regulations, they say you can't.
Mr. Prager: To say, there is no big radiation beyond 2 feet.
Mr. Andras: It is a very low power operating system.
Mr. Johnston: You are going to make it astatically similar to the building?
Mr. Olsen: We will paint it with a RF transparent paint to match the
building.
Mr. Horan: That is also a requirement in the Town Code. When they get
to the Planning Board, one of the requirements will be of a
color material that matches the exterior of the building.
Mr. Prager: Is there anyone in the audience that would like to ask a
question?
Mr. Mosley My name is Louis Moseley and I live a 9 Schnabl Court. My
only point would be we have a regulation that is pretty
specific here. We have to stay away from schools. I cannot
debate the public health aspects of RF frequencies. I am not
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals February 26, 2013
sure if anyone can conclusively but if we have this specific
rule. If this rule is antiquated, I think the rule should be
changed for everybody.
Mr. Prager: I am going to turn this over to Mr. Horan.
Mr. Horan: This is noted in the decision of the ZBA which I prepared in
consultation with the board. The code prevision book says
no tower or personal wireless service facility shall be located
closer than 1500 on a horizontal plane. The key here is
horizontal plan. As the RF engineer stated, the frequency
are directional in nature. This code section says horizontal
plan which means at the elevation. In this case, the antenna
array is 39 feet above the ground level. The town code
requirement says you cannot be at that height at 750 feet.
In this instance, the school that is located in that building is
below the antennas. After doing some research on the
issue, we did not catch the horizontal plan issue. Technically,
the variance notices went out saying -0- feet but that was
incorrect because anything below the antenna in that
building is not in the same horizontal plane. What you would
do is a plane in 39 feet in the air and sees where that would
intercept. Such as houses and things and in this case the
next closes house is about 650 feet away. It is unclear as to
whether any part of that structure is in the horizontal plan.
The issue is respect to health issues. The
Telecommunication Law of 1996 prohibits us from
considering that. Basically, we can only view this as
astatically pleasing.
Mr. Moseley: You are not on the plane with Myers Corners Elementary?
Mr. Prager: I went up there this morning and it is actually above.
Mr. Horan: We cannot get into the health and safety issues. The
applicant has conceded we can do it for astatic reasons.
Mr. Moseley: Actually it is not -0- feet.
Mr. Prager: Correct.
Mr. Moseley: In reality the horizontal plan is going above both of the
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
Mr. Prager:
schools.
February 26, 2013
I'm glad you asked that because that should be brought out.
Mr. Horan: Frankly, it was so technical before we got into the Witty gritty
of the application we didn't realize what the code said. This
is the only thing in the Wappinger Code that takes a setback
measurement high above the ground.
Mr. Moseley: Thank you.
Mr. Prager: Anybody else in the audience have any other questions?
Mr. Prager: Let the record show no one else in the audience has any
questions. Do I have a motion to close the Public Hearing?
Mr. Galotti: I make a motion to close the Public Hearing.
Mr. ]ohnson: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Mr. Prager: Mr. Horan was nice enough to research this and to write this
up for us.
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
APPLICATION FOR A USE VARIANCE
FINDINGS & DECISION
Appeal No.
Application Date:
Applicant
Premises Located at:
Tax Grid No.:
12-7477
December 4, 2012
Orange County-Poughkeepsie Ltd
Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
155-179 Myers Corners Road
6258-03-350303
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
Zoning District(s):
Record Owner of Property:
Variance of Code Sections:
February 26, 2013
COP
Mycor Holdings, Inc.
§ 240-81 (G)(4)(c)[1]
Evidence Presented
1) Application of Orange County-Poughkeepsie Ltd Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
dated December 4, 2012 with Exhibits;
2) Long Form EAF
Description of the Premises & Proposed Variance
The premises that is the subject of this application is a 22.5 Acre Parcel located at 155-
177 Myers Corners Road in a COP. The applicant is in the business of providing wireless
telecommunications service. The applicant seeks to put three cellular telephone antennae arrays
on the roof of a commercial building on the site pursuant to a lease option.
The applicant is seeking to construct anon-tower mounted personal wireless service
facility as such is defined under § 240-81 of the Town of Wappinger Code. The applicant meets
all of the siting requirements set forth in § 240-81 except those set forth at § 240-81 (G) (4) (c)
which provides
No tower or personal wireless service facility, with the exception of repeaters, shall be
located:
[1] Closer than 1,500 feet on a horizontal plane to any structure existing at the time of
application which is or is able to be occupied or habitable, on the property of any school
(both public and private).
[2] Closer than 750 feet on a horizontal plane to an existing dwelling unit or day-care
center, hospital, nursing home, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
The building that shall mount the proposed antennae contain a day care center, however
the day care center is below the horizontal plane of the antenna.
The Myers Corners Cell Site Radio Frequency Analysis provided by the applicant as
Exhibit 3 to the application credibly demonstrates that the proposed site fills the gaps in coverage
and that alternative sites do not fit its needs or the needs of the Town. § 240-81 of the Town
Code states that collocation on an existing tower is preferred and where that cannot be met,
antenna installation on an existing commercial building is preferred.
Public Hearing
A public hearing on the application was held on February 26, 2013 and Scott Olson Esq,
made a presentation on behalf of the applicant and all in attendance were given an opportunity to
speak for or against the application.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
SEQRA Review
February 26, 2013
The instant application is for an individual setback variance and is therefore a Type II
pursuant to 6 NYCRR 617.5(c)(12) which is not subject to SEQRA Review.
Review of Area Variance
The determination of the ZBA in granting an variance is guided by Town Law
§267-b(3)(b) which states:
(b) In making its determination, the zoning board of appeals shall take into consideration the
benefit to the applicant if the variance is granted, as weighed against the detriment to the health,
safety and welfare of the neighborhood or community by such grant. In making such
determination the board shall also consider: (1) whether an undesirable change will be produced
in the character of the neighborhood or a detriment to nearby properties will be created by the
granting of the area variance; (2) whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by
some method, feasible for the applicant to pursue, other than an area variance; (3) whether the
requested area variance is substantial; (4) whether the proposed variance will have an adverse
effect or impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district; and
(5) whether the alleged difficulty was self-created, which consideration shall be relevant to the
decision of the board of appeals, but shall not necessarily preclude the granting of the area
variance.
The proposed non-tower mounted personal wireless service facility is a public utility and it is
subject to review under public utility standards.
Federal Telecommunications Act
It should be noted that the Town of Wappinger in limiting the placement of personal wireless
facilities pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(iv) which states:
(iv) No State or local government or instrumentality thereof may regulate the placement,
construction, or modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of the
environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities
comply with the Commission's regulations concerning such emissions.
This section means that the Town of Wappinger cannot restrict the location of a personal
wireless service facilities because of health concerns regarding RF emissions. On its face
§ 240-81 (G)(4)(c) may well be considered a regulation which is pre-empted by federal law since
there is no indication that the regulation is adopted for aesthetic rather than health reasons.
The applicant is required to receive an FCC license for the antennae installation and is
required by the terms of the license.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals February 26, 2013
The ZBA determines that the evidence presented result in the following determinations
regarding the above noted factors.
Undesireable Change in Character of the Neighborhood
No change in the character of the neighborhood will be produced as there are other
structures on the roof and the antennae are required to be of a color or material that matches the
exterior of the building or structure under § 240-81.
Benefit by Other Feasible Method
The applicant has demonstrated in its siting study that it cannot receive the benefit by
another feasible method.
Substantial Nature of Variance
The initial variance requested is fora 100% variance; however, this is in error as the
daycare center in the building is not in the same horizontal plane as the antennae. The antennae
are located approximately 40 feet above ground level. The closest nearby residence is
approximately 650 feet away and it is likely that the house is located below the horizontal plane
of the antennae.
In the instant case, there appears to be no aesthetic reason to require a 1500 foot setback
so the request variance is not substantial.
Adverse Effect or Impact on Physical or Environmental Conditions
The intent of § 240 81 (G)(4)(c) seems to be to protect residents from adverse health
effects from the location of personal wireless service facilities. 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(iv)
prohibits the Town from considering health effects of the RF emissions. The FCC has
conclusively determined that there are no health risks from such installations and has pre-empted
the ZBA from looking at that issue.
The maximum transmitting power proposed for use at the site is 40W. According to the
FCC publication A Local Government Official's Guide to Transmitting Antenna RF Emission
Safety: Rules, Procedures, and Practical Guidance, Appendix B, the safe distance at SOW per
channel is 34.1 feet. There are no structures within 34 feet of the antennae.
Hardship Self-Created
The hardship is not self-created as the applicant has to fill in the service gaps where
necessary. Siting of a tower is not preferred under the Town Code.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
Decision
February 26, 2013
Applying the standards of Town Law §267-b (3) (b), an area variance should be granted.
Application for Variance GRANTED. The variance is subject to site plan approval by
the Planning Board.
The foregoing is the decision of the ZBA.
Mr. Horan: May the record reflect that the decision be amended prior to
the decision of the ZBA to put in a note that the purposed
area variance is a Type II action under SEQRA because it is
a setback variance for which a single setback variance for
which no SEQRA review is required.
Mr. Prager:
Mr. Galotti:
Mr. ]ohnston:
Mr. Prager:
Ms. Rose:
Mr. Prager:
Mr. Olsen:
Mr. Prager:
A~geal No. 13-7483
Can I have a motion to close the Public Hearing?
I make a motion to grant the variance.
Second.
Roll call vote.
AI Casella Yes
Peter Galotti Yes
Bob )ohnston Yes
Howard Prager Yes
This will be filed within 5 days.
Thank you.
The next item on the agenda is:
Mousa Nesheiwat-Is seeking an area variance of Section 240-3 of Zoning Regulations in
an R-40 Zoning District.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
February 26, 2013
-Where 50 feet to the front yard is required for the construction of a house on an
existing non-conforming footprint, the applicant can only provide 32.3 feet, thus
requesting a 17.7 foot front yard variance.
-Where 50 feet to the rear yard is required for the construction of a house on an
existing non-conforming footprint, the applicant can only provide 18.1 feet, thus
requesting a 31.9 foot variance.
The property is located at 94 Robinson Lane and is identified by Tax Grid No. 6459-
03-070409.
Mr. Morris: My name is Jason Morris from Day Engineering. The applicant
bought this existing run down house which is on Robinson Lane. He
demolished the existing house and the understanding was to
rebuild on the existing footprint. The original structure had a
square taken out of the back side of the house; towards the rear
lot line. He poured the foundation in a perfect box and that square
is now removed. With the change, it forces us to come in for the
rear lot line variance. Even thought the foundation was continuous,
the structure over hung that area. The front yard variance that we
are requesting is for the construction of a porch with steps. The
first floor door needs steps to get out of. We need to construct
steps to get down to grade. That is the reason for the front yard
variance.
Mr. Prager: Is he going to live here or is he going to rent it?
Mr. Morris: I am not sure of his intentions.
Mr. Prager: I see there is a shed that is going to be removed. It looks like the
septic system is already in there.
Mr. Johnston: There is a conflict between this map and this map regarding the
septic tank.
Mr. Morris: This is the existing and this is the proposed and that is the dry
well. (Reviewing map with board members)
Mr. Prager: We will have a site inspection.
Mr. Galotti: The actual footprint is the same?
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
February 26, 2013
Mr. Morris: Yes, with the exception of the front steps. I believe there was
something there previously but I don't have any dimensions of
that.
Mr. Casella: Where is the fill for that? Is it in the back of the property?
Mr. Morris: I believe when he excavated for the foundation he pushed it up in
that area.
Mr. Prager: Barbara, do we have any record of the old house?
Mrs. Roberti: In the assessor's record and from what I can remember the original
owner John Paul had taken out a permit to repair the existing
foundation walls. While he was out there repairing it, I was told
the house collapsed. He proceeded to go ahead and put in the
foundation with the thought he had a permit to fix the foundation
wall not to start a new house. That is where it was stopped and
they had to come in with a whole new plot plan for a new house. It
is no longer the repair of an old existing house it is now a new
home.
Mr. Prager: Jason do you know if this is exactly the same footprint? Do we
have a record of the last footprint?
Mr. Morris: It does follow the footprint.
Mrs. Roberti: These are the records from the assessor's office and it shows the
jog. It doesn't show anything over it. This is the footprint by
which it was taxed.
Mr. Prager: I would like a copy of that.
Ms. Roberti: It is in your variance application. The original house was 1176
square feet according to the assessor's records and the new house
is 1287 square feet.
Mr. Horan: In some respects the other variance corner is further away. The
other corner is 18 feet.
Mr. Morris: The other corner is more of a violation.
Mr. Horan: The other corner doesn't matter a whole lot.
Town of Wappinger
Zoning Board of Appeals
February 26, 2013
Mr. Casella: Was this a short sale because they only paid $10,000 for the
property.
Mr. Morris: I don't know.
Mr. Casella: They only paid $10,000 and back taxes. How did they manage to
buy that for that price?
Mrs. Roberti: It was probably a foreclosure. It might have been in auction.
Mr. Prager: We will have a site visit and have a Public Hearing at the next
meeting on March 12th. Please mark the property lines.
Mr. Prager: Can I have a motion to adjourn this meeting?
Mr. Galotti: I make a motion to adjourn this meeting.
Mr.7ohnston: Second.
Mr. Prager: All in favor?
Board: Aye.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue Rose, Secretary
Zoning Board of Appeals