07-7340
i
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
SUPERVISOR
CHRISTOPHER J. COLSEY
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
20 MIDDLEBUSH ROAD
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590
(845) 297-1373
TOWN COUNCIL
WILLIAM H. BEALE
VINCENT BETTINA
MAUREEN McCARTHY
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI
To:
Chris Masterson /
Town Clerk ~
Barbara Roberti, secrela.I)\~
Town of Wappinger Zonin~ Board of Appeals
\
RECE\\IEO
jUN 0 ? 2008
TOWN CLERK
May 19,2008
From:
Re: Moody Decision
Appeal No. 07-7340
Attached you will find the original ApplicationIDecision & Order for Brian
& Irene Moody, 29 Middlebush Road, Wappinger Falls, NY., Tax Grid No.
6157-01-394824. I would appreciate it if you would file these documents.
Attachments
cc: Mr. & Mrs. Moody
Mr. John Sarcone
Zoning Board
Town File
Town Attorney
Building Inspector
~ WAPp/
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Town of Wappinger
P.O. Box 324 - 20 Mldd I ebush Road
Wapplngers Falls, NY 12590
Zoning Board of Appeals
Office: 845.297.1373... Fax: 845.297.4558
ZOning Enforcement OffIcer
Office: 845.297.6257
www.townofwapplnger.us
Application for a Use Variance
Appeal #
o 1 ~ 1340
Dated: March 8, 2007
TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN OF WAPPINGER, NEW YORK:
I (We) Brian & Irene Moody residir!!U~t287 Middlebush Road'
Wappirlger Falls, NY 12590 , ~- 29:1 1323 (phone), hereby appeal
to the Zoning Board of Appeals from the decision/action of the Zoning Administrator,
dated Feb. 22 , 2002, and do hereby apply for a use variance.
Premises located at 29 Middlebush ReI.
Tax Grid # 6157-01-394824-00
Zoning District R-20/40
1. Record Owner of Property Brian & Irene Moody
Address SAME AS ABOVE
Phone Number _- _-
Owner Consent: Dated: Signature:
Printed:
2. Variance Request:
I(We) hereby apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance of the following requirements of
the Zoning Code.
Article VI, section 240-37 I Schedule of Use Regulations-Residential District
(Indicate Article, Section, Subsection and Paragraph)
Intended use, alteration, conversion and/or construction (Describe proposed project)
Continuance of pre-existinq leqal nonconform1l1q use as a twin-family
residence where only sil'\gle-family residences are a permitted
prindJ?'l llRP_
TOW024.ZBA-AUV (4-03 Rev) 1 114
Town of Wappinger Zoning Board of Appeals
Use Variance Application
Appeal No.
3. Reason For Appeal (Please substantiate the request by answering the following questions In
detail. Use extra sheet, If necessary):
A. Are you able to make reasonable economic use of your property without a variance? Please set
forth detailed financial evidence describing.
SEE ADDmDUM
B. Is your property unique in the neighborhood that needs this type of a variance? Please explain
your answer in detail. .
SEE ADDENDUM
C. If your variance is granted, will it change the kind of neighborhood In which your property is
located? Please explain your answer In detail. .
. SEE ADD~
D. How did your need for a variance come about? Is your difficulty self created? Please explain
your answer In detail.
SEE ADDENDUM
4. List of attachments (Check applicable Information)
(>> Financial (economic) statement. This statement should not be personal in nature. The
information provided should relate directly to the property for which you are seeking a
variance and should illustrate the monetary injury or undue hardship you are suffering
without the variance.
ex) Survey Dated , Last Revised
Prepared by Raymond J. Kihlmire, LS, J?C
and
ex) Photos
ex) Drawings Dated
ex) Letter of Communication which resulted in application to the ZBA.
(e.g., recommendation from the Planning Board/Zoning Denial)
Letter from George A. Kolb, Jr. Dated: Feb, 22, 2007
TOW02.<1.ZBA-AUV (4-03 Rev) 2m'.<I
Letter from
Dated:
Town of Wappinger Zoning Board of Appeals
Use Variance Application
Appeal No.
(x) Other (please list):
SEE l\1"1'ACSED EXHIBIT lIST
5. Signature and Verification
Please be advised that no application can be deemed complete unless signed below.
at all informatIon given Is accurate as of the date of application.
DATED:
o /;~1r)7
.
SIGNATURE
(If more than one Appellant)
DATED:
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
A. The appellant ( ) IS ( ) IS NOT able to make reasonable economic returns on the property
without a variance for each permitted use within this zonIng district.
B. The appellant's property ( ) IS ( ) IS NOT unique In the neighborhood ~hat needs this type of
a variance.
C. If the variance is granted, ( ) IT WILL ( ) IT WILL NOT change the kind of neighborhood In
which the property is located.
D. Is your difficulty self created? Please explain your answer In detail.
TOWD24.ZBA-AUV (4-03 Rev) 3 cK 4
Town of Wappinger Zoning Board of Appeals
Use Variance Application
Appeal No.
Conclusion: Therefore, it was determined the requested variance
Be .( X) GRANTED () DENIED.
Conditions/Stipulations: The following conditions and/or stipulations were adopted by resolution of
the Board as part of the action stated above:
The ZEA has voted to zrant the attached Use Variance.
Please ref~rto at~acn~d f;n~;ngq ~n~ ~p~iqinn
(X) Findings & Facts Attached.
DATED: May }9, 2008
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
TOWN OF APPINGER, NE
BY:
I!;:.Chairm~
PRINT:' +tiel>' Jt.k<[ L-
TOW024.ZBA-AUV (4-03 Rev) 4 rI 4
ADDENDUM
Item 3. Reason For ADDeal
A. Are you able to make reasonable economic use of your property without a variance?
Applicants' Property has for many years been a pre-existing, legal nonconforming
mixed use property, used as a two-family dwelling with commercial ~se on the ground floor.
Despite the pre-existing, legal nonconforming status of the structure, the Applicants are
requesting this use variance to bring the two-family use into conformance, so that the Town will
not require them to convert the long-standing use to a single-family residence.
As the appraisal (Exhibit "D") indicates, the value as a single-family home would
be $290,000. As a two-family home without the commercial component, the value would be
$310,000. The value of the Property as a mixed use is $335,000.
In addition, it would be a significant expense to convert the two..family residence
into a single-family residence. Pursuant to an estimate obtained from B. Smith & Company, a
general contractor, the cost would be approximately $58,200.00.
Thus, the Applicants would not only lose value on their Property without the
variance, but would have to expend substantial funds to convert the residence to a conforming
use.
B. Is your property unique in the neighborhood that needs this type ofvariance?
If the Applicants are required to convert the pre-existing, legal nonconforming
Property to a single-family residence, the Property would be entirely incongruous with the
surrounding neighborhood. As the photographs in Exhibit "0" clearly demonstrate, the
neighborhood is a primarily highway commercial neighborhood. Accordingly, the Property is
uniquely situated and requires the requested use variance.
c. If your variance is granted, will it change the kind of neighborhood in which your
property is located?
The neighborhood would not change if the requested use variance is granted. The
Property has been mixed use commercial and two-family residential since long before the
Applicants acquired the Property in 1991. In fact, the Property is listed on the Town's tax rolls
as a "nonhomestead" parcel. (Exhibit "H"). In addition, the Multiple Listing Service data sheet
for the Property indicates that the parcel is "nonhomestead" and a "converted residence" parcel.
(Exhibit "I").
D. How did your need for a variance come about? Is your difficulty self created?
The difficulty is not self created. As stated in Section C, supra, the Property is a
pre-existing, legal nonconforming use, and has been a mixed use commercial and two-family
residential parcel since long before the Applicants purchased the Property in 1991, and the
Town's tax rolls classify the Property as a "nonhomestead" parcel. (Exhibit "H"). The Town
has directed the Applicants to bring the Property into conformity by requesting a use variance,
despite the Applicants' position that the present use of the Property constitutes a pre-existing,
legal nonconforming use.
Item 4. List of Attachments (Other)
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Exhibit D
Exhibit E
Exhibit F
Exhibit G
Exhibit H
Exhibit I
Fax. from George A. Kolb, Jr., Building Inspector, to John A. Sarcone, III, Esq.,
dated February 22, 2007
Letter from John A. Sarcone, III, Esq. to George Kolb, Building Inspector, dated
February 21, 2007
Letter from John A. Sarcone, III, Esq. to Marco Caviglia, Esq., dated February 23,
2007
Appraisal of 29 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590, prepared by
Valuation Consultants, Inc., dated MfJ....l'Gh. ~ (LOO~ .
Estimate for Converting Two Family Dwelling into a Single Family Dwelling,
prepared by B. Smith & Company, dated March 6, 2007
Survey, prepared by Raymond J. Kihlmire, LS, PC
Photographs of the structure and surrounding neighborhood
Tax Statement and Receipt
Multiple Listing Service data sheet
I I I~ -',.." '\,JUI'~ L-I""lYV I .....".1
[ -'&cT 10 ~ J
617.20
APPENDIX C
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALllY REVIew
SHORTENWRONMENTALASSESSMENTFORM
to, UNLISTED ACnONS On~
( To be completed by A pllcant Of' ProJect Sponsor)
2. PROJECT NAME
APPLICATION FOR USE VARIANCE
PART 1 · PROJECT INFORMAnON
1. APPUCANT I sPONSOR
BRIAN & IRENE MOODY
3.PROJECT I.OCATION:
~ WAPPINGERS FALLS OUTCaESS
... F'R~ISE l..OCATIVN: Street Addess and Reed In.meCCiona, Pramlr1ent Iandmarka' elc. or Dfovlde ~ao
r...oc:. tJ.:JltJ.:J
SEQR
t==-
5. IS PROPOSED ACTION; 00 New 0 ~Ian O~t11Il alteration
8. D6SCRIBE PROJECT BRIIiFl. Y: .
Continue pre-existing leg~l non-conforming use as a two-family residence where
only single-famfi~ residences are a permitted principal use and that the tWi~-
family ~re-exi$tin~ legal non-conforming use d~es not meet the min~mum square
footage for twin-family use.
. .
, .
7. AMOUNT, OF' LAND .AFFECTeD: ,
Inhlally ..50 8enl8 U1~' .50 acrea
8. WILL P~OPOSED ACTION COMF'L Y WITH exiSTING mNING OR OT11ER ReSTRICTIONS?
o Yea [!J No If Ill), dCllCribo brlelly:
Pre-existing legal ~on-conforming USe dating prior ~o goning.
9. WHAT IS PRESENT lo.AND USE IN VICINITY OF PROJECT? (ChooseaamanyesappJy.)
o Aesldenllal 0 Jnc~al DCclmmerclal OAg/1cuJlure 0 Park I Fo~ I Open Spaoo
Two-family and commercial use prior to ~oning.
[!J other (deseribo)
10. DOES AC:rJON IN\IOLve A PERMIT APPROVAl., OR FuNDING. NOW OR ULTIMATEL V FROM, ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY (Federal. State or Local)
Dves [!J No . If Y". list agency name and parm/t I apProval:
11. DOES ANY ASPECT OF THE ACTION HAVE ^ CURRENTLY VALID PERMIT OR APPROVAL?
o VG8 f!J No It' yes, list agency name and pennft I appl\Mll:
l.T OF PROPOSED ACTION WILL EXISTING PSRMIT I APPROVAL RE;QUlRE MODIFICATION?
No
CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROvIDED ABOVE IS TRUe TO THE BeST OF MY ICNOWL&:DGE
ApPlicant I Sp Oale: 4/23/08
f the action Is I Costal Area. and you 81'8 a state agency.
complete the Coastal Assessment ttorm before proceeding with this aSsessment
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
APPLICATION FOR A USE VARIANCE
FINDINGS & DECISION
Appeal No.
Application Date:
Applica.nt
Premises Located at:
Tax Grid No.:
Zoning District(s):
Record Owner of Property: . .
Variance of Code Sections:
07-07340
. March 8~ 2007
Brian & Irene Moody
29 Middlebush Road
6157-01-394824-0000
R-20/R-40
Brian & Irene Moody .
~ 240-37 (District Regulations)
. .
Description of the Premises & Prooosed Variance
The premises that is the subject of this application is a mix~d use property located at 29
Middlebush . Road in an R/20-R/40 District. The. principal structure on the premises is a
two-family dwelling and an accessory garage is located on the property. The Records of the Tax
Assessorindicate that the premises were built in 1910. The premises are shown as Lot 2 on Filed
Map No. 4389 which was filed in the office of the Dutchess County Clerk on June 4, 1974.
Evidence has been presented that mixed residential/commercial use has taken place at the
premises since at l~~t 1960. The commercial uses were taxi service, day care center and now a"
communications business. The applicant seeks a use vari~ce to allow the principal use of the
premises as a two-family dwelling. with an accessory garage in a district which allows only
single-family dwellings.
Evidence Presented
Annexed to its application, the Applicant has submitted the following:
1) an appraisal of the property dated March 6,2007, which shows values as a single-family,
two-family and mixed use building;
2) an estimate of $58,200 to convert the premises to a Single Family Dwelling;
3) statements from residents;
4) Report of Bailey Browne CPA & Associates dated February 5 2008
5) Report from Dutchess County Planning pursuant to GML ~239-m deciding issue is one
of local concern
6) Short Form EAF.
"
Public Hearin2
A public hearing on the application was held on April 25, 2008. Witnesses testified on
behalf of and in qualified opposition to the Application.
Review of Use Variance
The determination of the ZBA in granting a use variance is 'gwded by Town Law
~267-b(2)(b) .:which states: . .
(b) No such use variance shall be granted by.a board of appeals without a showing
by the applicant that applicable zoning regulations and restrictions have caused
unnecessary hardship. In order to prove such unnecessary hardship the applicant
shall demonstrate to the board of appe~s that for each and every permitted use
under the zoning regulations for the particular district where the property is
located,
(1) the applicant .cannot realize a reasonable return, provided that lack of
return is substantial as demonstrated by competent financial evidence? .
(2) that the alleged hardship relating to the property in question is unique, and
does not apply to a substantial portion of the district or neighborhood; .
. (3) truit the requested use variance, if granted, will not alter the essential.
character of the neighborhood; .and .
(4) that the alleged hardship has not been self-created.
The ZBA determines that the evidence presented result in the following determinations
regarding the above noted factors.
Reasonable Return
The Applicant has provided ample fmancial evidence to support its position including
current leases, real estate appraisal, dated March 6,2007, copies of Federal Income Tax Returns
for 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000 and the terms and conditions of the
Applicant's mortgage on the property. The Applicant purchased the property in 1991 and has a
mortgage on the property.
The applicant has submitted an estimate which is credible which indicates that the costs
of converting the existing two-family dwelling to a single-family dwelling would cost
approximately $58,000.00. Conversion is necessary to avoid future zoning violations. This cost
would not be recouped upon a subsequent sale of the property as a single-family dwelling.
The appraisal prepared by Valuation Consultants, Inc. indicates that as of March 6, 2007,
the value of the property as a single family dwelling is $290,000. Since that date, real estate
values in Dutchess County have declined 10% or more. The appraisal indicates the property has
the greatest resale value when it is a mixed use. The report of Bailey Browne CPA & Associates
dated February 5 2008 indicates that a continued mixed use of the property results in a negative
-
rate of return. The allowed uses of the property are as an allowed single-family dwelling with
accessory garage or a continued existing non-conforming mixed use. Neither of these uses
generates a reasonable return for the applicant so this factor is met.
Hardship to the Property is Unique
The property is an existing non-conforming mixed use. The surrounding area is
predominantly single family residential or public use which is allowed in the District. The
Applicant's property. is unique when compared to the conforming properties i~ the
. neighborhood. '" .
. Chan2e in Character of the Nei2hborhood
Granting of the variance to allow a two-family dwelling will bring the property more into
conformity with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Granting of the variance will
eliminate the commercialqse on the property. .
Hardship Self-Created
.. .
The hardship haS not been self-created because the existing uses. predate the" Zoning
Ordinance. .
Decision
The applicant has proven unnecessary hardship through the application of four tests
required by the state statues. In rmding such hardship, the ZBA grants a variance to allow use of
the property as a two-family dwelling with an accessory garage, which is the minimum variance
that should be granted in order to preserve and protect the character of the neighborhood and the
health, safety and welfare of the community.
Conditions
The ZBA finds that the following conditions are necessary in order to minimize adverse
impacts upon the neighborhood or community, for the reasons following:
No accessory home occupation shall be allowed on the premises where clients can come
to the premises.
The accessory garage may not be used for any commercial purposes.
The existing commercial use of the property shall be terminated within 7 business days of
service of this decision upon the applicant.
The granting of this use variance shall operate as a termination of the existing non-
conforming mixed use of the property.
The foregoing is the decision of the ZBA.