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1981-03-10The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Wappinger was held on Tuesday, March 10th, 1981 beginning at 8:00 p.m., at the Town Hall, Mill Street, Wappingers Falls, New York. Members Present: Carol A. Waddle, Chairperson Charles A. Cortellino Joseph E. Landolfi Donald Mc Millen Members Absent: Howard Prager Others Present: Hans R. Gunderud, Bldg. Inspector/Zoning Admin. Betty -Ann Russ, Secretary Mrs. Waddle asked if the abutting property owners and the appellants had been notified. The secretary replied that the appellants and abutting property owners had been notified according to the records available in the Assessor's office. Mrs. Christensen had sent the notices out. Mrs. Waddle then explained that it was the procedure of the Board to hear all the appeals and give everyone present an opportunity to be heard, it is asked that they give their names and addresses for the record, the Board then takes a short recess and then reconvenes at which time the Board may or may not render a decision on each appeal. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Appeal ¢# 528, at the request of Frank and Juliana Garofalo, seeking a variance of Article IV, Section 421 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance, to permit a temporary mobile home to remain as a permanent caretaker's cottage on property located on Smith Crossing Road, being parcel ¢# 6359-01-110650, in the Town of Wappinger. Mrs. Waddle read the legal notice. Mr. Garofalo was present and noted that he came before the Board to appeal to keep the mobile home because of the nature of his business, have thoroughbred race horses, are semi -retired people and we are unable to build a permanent house because of the tremendous cost of constructing the present home and buildings on the property, and to build an additional home would be a tremendous hardship for us, this cottage is located to the rear of the property, it is not really a cottage it is a mobile home for and occupied by a caretaker who has to be on the property to care for these horses which Zoning Board of Appeals -2- March 10th, 1981 are quite fragile, there is no rental property near or around our property and the cottage is unobtrusive,, cannot be seen from the road and is located along against the woods in the back of the property and behind the barn, it is not causing any obstruction to any other home or property, it is located approximately 2,000 feet from Maloney Road and about 1,500 feet from Smith Crossing Road, our primary problem is the cost over -run in construction and if we were to incur any further costs in building another permanent home, have been notified that we would have to reassess the entire property, in other words if we took a piece of this 133 acres that we have the rest would be assessed according to the piece we took off to build something.. Mr. Cortellino commented you mean if you were subdividing. Mr. Garofalo replied yes. Mr. Cortellino noted that the Board is not discussing subdividing. Mr. Garofalo replied that he was just trying to explain the problem. Mr. Cortellino added he didn't see how they would be reassessed if the cottage would be on the same property and not subdivided. Mrs. Waddle commented that he is permitted a caretaker's cottage. Mr. Garofalo replied yes that they would like to have this as the caretaker's cottage, the other problem of the property is that the railroad road goes right throught the property and we have been trying to negotiate with Con Rail to buy this railroad bed which has been there for about 75 years and unused, never been used but we have not been able to negotiate so that we could build a little cottage on that property, now we were told that if we built a little cottage we would have to make a formal subdivision and that the assessment .... Mr. Landolfi asked Mr. Garofalo who told him that. Mr. Gunderud replied that Mr. Garofalo wanted to build a second dwelling. Mr. Cortellino commented that's different. Zoning Board of Appeals -3- March 10th, 1981 Mr. Gunderud and the Board then briefly discussed the difference between a second dwelling and a caretaker's cottage. Mr. Landolfi then asked Mr. Garofalo what were they t talking about. Mr. Garofalo replied that they needed a cottage for the caretaker for the care of the horses, we have a mobile home there at the present.time, this mobile home is not causing any interference with anyone else in the neighborhood. Mr. Cortellino asked Mr. Garofalo if he was living on the property. Mr. Garofalo replied right, we just moved there about eight weeks ago. Mr. Cortellino then asked why did they need a caretaker. Mr. Garofalo replied that they were not capable of taking care of throughbred race horses, my wife and I. Mrs. Waddle then asked how many horses were on the property. Mr. Garofalo replied right now 23 but might have 24 by morning as we are having a foal tonight. Mrs. Waddle noted that actually this man was a stable hand. Mr. Garofalo replied yes, a stable hand. Mr. Cortellino then noted that last year or so ago, Mr. Garofalo came in and was told that he could have the trailer there for a year, here now and pleading hardship that he expended a lot of money but on the things he spent money there was no requirement to spend money but there was a requirement for him to replace the trailer home, why did he feel. Mr. Garofalo replied that he would tell them the problem, you know the property, you know that property had been bought and sold before because of a tremendous water problem on that property and the fill required to fill in where the house was to go cost more than $40,000 and that just about broke them , we had to build roads and the amount of fill that had to be hauled into the property, that property has more water than all of Wappinger , so in order to build a cesspool it was a major operation which they had not calculated, that was just something that was inherient in the type of property it was and we'were not aware of it, getting the cesspool in there was a major problem and we had such a tremendous Zoning Board of Appeals ME March 10th, 1981 pad that there we no funds left to do anything else , we are retiring now and we could not even maintain this property if we had to pay any additional costs on it. Mrs. Waddle commented that he was saying that they have built a home there already. Mr. Garofalo replied yes, we have a home there now, outside is not completed just the home itself is completed. Mrs. Waddle commented that it was her understanding that the mobile home was to stay there until the home was built, correct. Mr. Garofalo replied that the mobile home was for the stable hand, we did not live in the mobile home. There was then some discussion with regard to the purpose of the mobile home and Mr. Gunderud indicated that he would check through the file and minutes. Mrs. Waddle then asked if the man living in the trailer had a family or was a single person. Mr. Garofalo replied that it was a family, a wife, husband and child. Mr. Cortellino then asked Mr. Garofalo about his consultation with the agricultural agent in Millbrook. Mr. Garolfalo replied that he had purchased the property before he spoke to the agent, was unaware of the water problem on the property, found out that there was to be a subdivision of the property by the previous owner but this was abandoned because they couldn't get cesspools in. Mr. Landolfi then asked if there were horses there. Mr. Garofalo replied no, brought the horses from our farm in Bedford Hills and in Florida, have eight children but none are home, they are away at school. Mr. Landolfi then asked Mr. Garofalo how many other men were employed. 14 I Zoning Board of Appeals -5- March 10th, 1981 Mr. Garofalo replied just the husband and wife and a boy from Hopewell Junction who comes in and does day work. He added that there was nothing nearby which could be rented for the workers and the horses do need attention and someone to care for them as the horses are fragile. Mrs. Waddle then asked if they had constructed a house and a barn within the last year. Mr. Garofalo replied that the barn was constructed at the end of 1978 and the house was just constructed now, moved in the day before Christmas. Mr. Cortellino then noted that previously it had been indicated that Sid Corbin and his wife would be managing things. Mr. Garofalo replied that they managed the construction of the barn and house, Mr. Corbin supplied the fill, they managed as we lived forty miles away. Mrs. Waddle asked if the Board members had any other questions. The Board had no other questions. Mrs. Waddle then asked if there was anyone present who wished to be heard. No one present wished to be heard. The hearing was closed at 8:12 p.m. Appeal # 529, at the request of Stephen Wilantewicz, seeking a rehearing on a previously denied variance of Article IV, Section 416.73 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance, to permit a free-standing sign at a closer setback than permitted from the front yard line on property located at 282 New Hackensack Road, being parcel # 6259-03-435163, in the Town of Wappinger. Mrs. Waddle read the legal notice. Dr. Stephen Wilantewicz was present and noted that he would like to clarify one thing with the Board is that the correct address is 282 New Hackensack Road , were just notified by the Post Office that we are 282 and am here tonight as the last time he was unable to make the meeting as he was called to the hospital, and would like to bring to the Board's attention that this piece of property is a non -conforming parcel of land, the setback of the Zoning Board of Appeals 1 -6- March 10th, 1981 of the property according to the surveyor's map is 33' 7" from one corner of the building, from the easterly side and 32' 8" from the westerly side, that is by John Morano, the problem with this building is the setback as it is and the entrance into the building there is not adequate visibility for patients, for Allstates Insurance Company, the Dutch Treat Travel Agency and for the County who are occupying offices within this building, need some type of sign notifying the public that this is 282 New Hackensack Road and of the various tenants within the building. He continued Noting that people are driving past the building, have to then go down to Ted Alexanders or in some. cases they are illegally turning within New Hackensack Road because the building is setback and they can't really see the building upon the approach due to the King's property which is adjacent to the building on the easterly side and on the westerly side going down towards Route 9 you can't see the building either until you are on top of it, so think before damage is done to anyone, patients or clients of Allstates that we should have some type of sign place, looked at various buildings on New Hackensack Road and noticed the Brown' building their sign is approximately ten to fifteen feet from the road, don't care how far back but have to have a sign for that building. Mr. Cortellino then noted that there was quite a bit of frontage on the building and there was a line of sight. Dr. Wilantewicz then reitered what he felt were the problems in locating the building and generally go right by it before they are able to identify it and felt that the sign was certainly necessary He added that there was a tree line that also made idenification difficult. Mrs. Waddle then commented that the clientele return. Dr. Wilantewicz replied no, get different clientele all the time, clientele are told 282 but they usually drive right by, call and we tell them across the way from the airport, down the road, drive past and then have to tell them it is big brown building and then they drive back and come in, there is no obvious sign out there. He then presented a rendering to the Board of the type of sign they would like to put up and noted that he would take the direction of the Board to where they would want him to place it but obviously it would have to be somewhere in the front of the building. Mr. Cortellino then asked when the building was built. Mr. King noted that he was on the west side and believed the building went up in 1954. Zoning Board of Appeals -7- March 10th, 1981 It was noted that the building would then be non -conforming. Mr. Gunderud noted that the required setback was 25 feet. Dr. Wilantewicz noted that if this was done the sign would be adjacent to the walkway. Mrs. Waddle then noted that there could be a sign on the building and had noticed that there were signs on the building. Dr. Wilantewicz replied that they were only the placques which were orignally going to be placed on the sign. Mrs. Waddle also noted that there were signs in the windows and she had been able to identify the tenants. Mrs. Waddle then noted that a recommendation had been received from the Dutchess County Department of Planning which says "this department recommends that the sign variance application be disapproved, there is no hardship in this instance, sight distance from the road to property is adequate, a sign structure at less the required setback would serve to distract drivers of vehicles along the roadway; it could also provide an obstacle to a future road widening•, that is for the record. Dr. Wilantewicz then referred to a professional building down the road which had a sign and the County airport terminal sign which could have also been further placed' -closer to the road, feel they should object all the way down the line, this is the way he felt. Mrs. Waddle replied that this was theLr recommendation. Mr. Landolfi then noted that he had noticed- that one of the prospective tenants had a large ad in the paper which said 280 New Hackensack Road. Dr. Wilantewicz then explained that there was some confusion about this and that the stationary had been printed as 280:and then found out that this was the number Mr. King used, the post office then gave us 282. Mr. King noted that Mr. Rudolph had given him the 280 number and Lafko had been 284. Dr. Wilantewicz noted that they now had the official word and they would be 282. Zoning Board of Appeals -8- March 10th, 1981 Dr. Wilantewicz added that basically he finds that it is quite difficult and wouldn't like to see anyone hurt on that road and would go on record and if someone is then it will come before the Town, assure you of this. Mr. Mc Millen then asked if just wouldn't the number 282 be enough, wouldn't this be a good locator. Dr. Wilantewicz replied yes, agree if all of New Hackensack Road did that then wouldn't feel that the Board is slanted or biased against him for placing a sign out there, would agree providing other people along New Hackensack Road which were rendered favorable decisions did the same, but wanted to be shown the same favoritism or whatever that has been granted to other citizens of this Town. Mr. Landolfi then noted that in Dr. Wilantewicz's previous professional residence there was a small sign and people did not seem to have difficulty. Dr. Wilantewicz replied that he had a professional sign outside and that he had a big name, point is that they need something out there to let the people know that they are there and that he was a doctor so ask for consideration as they wish to have a sign that would be enhancing to the the building and will take direction on where the Board wants it placed but would certainly like it to be seen. Mrs. Waddle then asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak for or against the Appeal. Mr. King of New Hackensack Road noted that he was 280 and stressed that it was very important that this be clear and then noted that Central Hudson had placed high tension wires over his property and that when Mr. Lafko had the building this line was placed underground. After it was determined that Central Hudson had an easement, the Board advised Mr. King to contact Central Hudson about his concern and that Dr. Wilantewicz was aware of the problem with the number and had corrected it. Mrs. Waddle then asked if there was anyone else present who wished to be heard. No one present wished to be heard. The hearing was closed at 8:31 p.m. Zoning Board of Appeals -9- March 10th, 1981 Appeal # 530, at the request of Dr. Daniel J. Hannigan, seeking variances of Article IV, Section 411.2 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance, to permit side yard and rear yard setbacks of existing buildings which -do not conform where lots are being resubdivided on property located on Myers Corners Road, being parcels 6258-03002082, 026062 and 015132, in the Town of Wappinger. Mrs. Waddle read the legal notice. Dr. Daniel J. Hannigan was present and noted that he was asking for variances and this request originated upon request of the Building Inspectior and also the Town Assessor, had a problem over the years starting went zoning first went into effect in the Town and it was decided that ten acres was required in order to operate a veterinary hospital or kennel and at that time we had to purchase other properties around us to make up the ten acres of land and those properties have always stayed as individual parcels although they were connected and no one had ever said anything about having to join them together,until Mr. Gunderud was sharp enough to find out that this was not according to the zoning ordinance as it exists and requested that we do something about changing it to get into one ten acre piece of land which the animal hospital sits upon. Mrs. Waddle then commented that she thought the Board had gone over this before when Dr. Hannigan was in. Dr. Hannigan replied that this had come up in discussion but that nothing was ever resolved and are now in a situation where they cannot get a final Certificate of Occupancy until this is resolved. The secretary then noted that when Dr. Hannigan was previously before the Board it was regarding a dispute as to whether or not a Special Use Permit was required and it was determined that since it was basically non -conforming the Board did not have jurisdiction and that was where it was left off. Dr. Hannigan noted that they would like to get this straightened out and they had gone to Barger and Russ for plans and believed the Board had copies, want to get this straightened up as they have been operating for some time on a temporary Certificate of Occupancy, this is uncomfortable situation. Mr. Mc Millen commented that they would basically be getting Zoning Board of Appeals -10- March 10th, 1981 the animal hospital as one non -conforming use on one separate piece of property and the residential would be on their own conforming lots. Dr. Hannigan commented that the one word is not so, the animal hospital is conforming. Mrs. Waddle noted that the new animal hospital would be conforming. Mr. Gunderud then noted that the only variance that would be required would be just a sideyard variance from the existing residence and the old animal hospital where the surveyor drew the new line to make the two parcels because of the two existing buildings are so close together there was no way to draw a line through there to get the required twenty-five foot setback and it was his feeling that this will be more conforming and clarify a difficult situation which exists because of old buildings which were built before zoning and uses that were established prior to zoning and think there was some confusion on the application when it was issued a couple of years ago with regard to planning and zoning involvement, some of these issues should have been addressed back then and might have avoided some problems but feel this will make this whole parcel and all the houses conforming except for just the minor setback problem on the lots and would recommend so that Dr. Hannigan can go ahead with subdivision approval from the Planning Board and he would need the variances first before he presents,the plans for subdivision approval, he has three parcels now and is really reconfiguring those three parcels so they now become conforming parcels. The Board and Mr. Gunderud then looked over the maps and briefly discussed what the changes in the lot lines would be. Mrs. Waddle then asked if there was anyone present who wished to be heard for or against the Appeal. No one present wished to be heard. The hearing was closed at 8:40 p.m. Appeal # 531, at the request of Taylor Rental Center, seeking a variance of Article IV, Section 416.52 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance, to permit a free-standing sign larger than the 25 square feet area maxiumum size permitted on property located on Route 9, being parcel # 6157-02-624589, in the Town of Wappinger. Zoning Board of Appeals -11- March 10th, 1981 Mrs. Waddle read the legal notice. Mr. Leonard Spinelli was present and noted that he was here to get the sign approved, it isslightly larger than the required size and found this out after he had already ordered the sign and almost exploded as was told there would be no permission requested but then he didn't want to feel like an intruder in the Town of Wappinger so he called the Building Inspector and found out that only 25 square feet was permitted and already had installed a slightly larger sign, they don't make any smaller sign only make larger, would be no way to get a smaller one so requesting permission to allow the sign. Mrs. Waddle then asked how long he had had the business. Mr. Spineeli noted that he had been operating on Route 44 for the last eight years but had just moved in to the one in Wappiners. Mr. Cortellino then asked about the setback of the sign. Mr. Gunderud replied that 25 feet was required. Mr. Spinelli noted that the pole was existing only replaced the sign, it is still in the same place. It was noted that it was about 55 feet back. Mr. Landolfi asked about the size of the sign. Mr. Spinelli replied that it is four foot by eight foot, make a larger sign but not smaller, it was installed about two weeks ago, didn't know he would need all this, thought he was doing the right thing, the landlord told him and his lawyer told him was no problem but then later checked with the Town and found out. Mr. Landolfi then asked if he had a local lawyer. Mr. Spinelli replied yes, from Poughkeepsie. Mrs. Waddle then noted that the following recommendation had been received from the Dutchess County Department of Planning, "Applicant request a variance from the regulations governing the maximum size of signs. The Town Zoning Ordinance provides that free-standing signs have a maximum size of twenty-five square feet. The applicant requests a variance for a sign of thrity-two square feet. Existing commercial signs in the vicinity of this site, near the intersection of Route 9 and Hopewell Road, reflect a concern for a quality type of visual environment. Zoning Board of Appeals -12- March 10th, 1981 Recommendation In view of the above findinds, the Dutchess County Department of Planning recommends that this sign variance application be. disapproved. An approval of this application could set a precedent for future requests of a similar poture. An excess of signage can hazardously distract drivers of vehicles on Route 9, a major state road.", that's recommendation from the County Planning Board. Mrs. Waddle asked if the sign could be cut down and was it a lit sign. Mr. Spinelli replied that it was illuminated, can't get it smaller,' is only seven feet more, don't think it makes a lot of difference, hope the Board favorably considers this as he can't afford to take it down. Mrs. Waddle then asked if there was anyone present who wished to be heard for or against the Appeal. No one present wished to be heard. The hearing was closed at 8:47 p.m. Mrs. Waddle then noted that a recommendation from the Dutchess County Department of Planning had been received on the Hannigan matter and the crux of it was that they do not presume to base their decision on the legalities or illegalities of the facts or procedures enumerated in subject zoning action and leaves the decision up to the local Zoning Board. Mrs. Waddle then noted that on Appeal # 526, at the request of Chelsea Ridge, the Board did receive -..a memo from Mr. Gunderud and the Dutchess County Department of Planning. Mrs. Waddle then read the recommendation of the Dutchess County Department of Planning dated February 6th, 1981. A copy of said recommendation is attached to these minutes and is on file. Mr. L. Richard Rosenberg then commented that he felt it was inappropriate of the County to comment as they don't have jurisdiction, it is a State road and am really somewhat disturbed at the apparent inconsistency of the County on County property particularly the airport to erect whatever they want and for the rest of us folks they tell us what they think the law should be and think there is a glaring disparity and think the Board should take notice of that and would like to also hand up a clarification of the submission he had given the Board last time and thought there had been a misunder- standing on just what there would be. He then briefly went over Zoning Board of Appeals -13- March 10th, 1981 the proposed dimensions and location of the signs. Mr. Rosenberg then noted that he would like to share with the Board a copy of a memo from the Town Supervisor which was sent to the Town Board it specifically and then again it was sent to me gratitiously as it wasn't something he had requested and would like to share it with the Board but specifically the following: "Enclosed shopping malls, mini -malls such ast'Chelsea Ridge is unique as it is impossible for people to know what is inside an enclosed mall. In this case, my first impression from the outside was disappointing yet when I toured the facility I found it exciting unique, and most pleasing. Advertising of some nature is necessary here to bring people into the enclosed mall." He added that this was from Louis Diehl, Town Supervisor. He then handed a copy of the memo to the Board. Mr. Rosenberg noted that he also had some merchants present if the Board wanted to hear from them on the extreme need for signage in the mall. Mrs. Waddle advised that the Board would take this up under "Unfinished Business" when they returned from their recess. The Board then recessed at 8:55 p.m. The Zoning Board reconvened at 10:00 p.m. With regard to Appeal # 528, at the request of Frank and Juliana Garofalo, Mr. Mc Millen moved that a one year extension be granted to the present variance and recommend that plans be made to build a residence for the caretaker in the near future. The motion was seconded by Mr. Landolfi. Motion Was Unanimously.Carried By 'Those Members Present With regard to Appeal ## 529, at the request of Dr. Stephen Wilantewicz, Mr. Cortellino moved that the variance be denied as there is adequate sight distance, a mail box with "282" on it would suffice for address purposes, sufficient setback is available in front of the building to conform with the Zoning Ordinance. the motion was seconded by Mr. Mc Millen. Motion Was Unanimously Carried "' By Those Members Present Zoning Board of Appeals -14- March 10th, 1981 With regard to Appeal ## 530, at the request of Dr. Daniel J. � Hannigan, Mr. Landolfi moved that this variance be granted to resolve the difficulties and non -conformities of the property. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cortellino. Motion Was Unanimously Carried By Those Members Present With regard to Appeal ## 531, at the request of Taylor Rental Center, Mr. Mc Millen moved that the requested variance be granted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cortellino. Motion Was Unanimously Carried By Those Members Present With regard to Appeal # 526, at the request of Sol Silver and Richard Rosenberg, d/b/a Chelsea Ridge Associates, Mr. Cortellino moved that a free-standing logo sign theme at the end of the curved brick wall to serve as a directory sign to be 15 feet inside face of curb along shoulder of Route 9D be granted. In addition, Mr. Cortellino moved that the appellant not exceed the 100 square foot sign area on the building. Signs 2, 3, 4, and 5 described in the petition dated 2/10/81 must be of some smaller portion of 100 square feet. For example, if signs 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 25 square feet each, the sum of the areas of the individual signs would not exceed 100 square feet. The Chelsea Ridge sign, shown in photo marked "photo 1" shall be removed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Landolfi. Motion Was Unaimously Carried By Those Members Present A motion was then made by Mr. Mc Millen,seconded by Mr. Landolfi, to adjourn. br il Motion Was Unanimously Carried By Those Members PResent The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, (Mrs.) etty-Ann Russ, Secretary 0 4 E=.0 DUTCH COUNTS - -- --SENT OF 1N 47 street, pcu9hta�e new ynrk26C�1 485-9890= Tax Map Parcel No. 605602-635539 To: Zoning Board of Appeals Referral: 81-14, Town of Wappinger Re: Chelsea Ridge Associates Sign Variance In accordance with the provisions of General Municipal Law (Article 12B, Sections 239-1 and 239-m), the Dutchess County Department of Planning has reviewed subject referral with regard to pertinent inter -community and county -wide considerations. Upon field investigation and analysis, this Department makes the following findings: Applicant requests variances pertaining to the size and location of a free-standing sign for a property located on the west side of Route 9D, north of Chelsea Road. The Zoning Ordinance requires a setback of twenty-five feet for free-standing signs; a ten -feet setback is requested. A free-standing sign approximately 100 square feet in area is requested and the regulations stipulate a maximum sign size of 25 square feet. Route 9D is a winding, two lane, undivided roadway linking towns in the southwestern part of Dutchess County. There is a low level of development activity in the vicinity of the subject site. The site has good visibility from the road; a sign at the required setback would be readily seen by people in passing vehicles. Recommendation The Dutchess County Department of Planning recommends that the subject sign variances be disapproved. Approval of these sign size and setback variances would set a precedent for further requests of a similar nature, resulting in an unnecessary and possibly hazardous distraction for drivers. Such approvals would also contribute to a deterioration of the visible quality and character of the Town. The Dutchess County Department of Planning does not presume to base its decision on the legalities or illegalities of the facts or procedures enumerated in subject zoning action. Dated: February 6, 1981 By f Kenneth R. Toole, Commissioner Dutchess County Dept. of Planning V "�41 &tJL' Richard Birch Senior Planner