1978-06-13ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
JUNE 13TH, 1978 - 8:00 P.M.
AGENDA
TOWN HALL
MILL STREET
WAPP. FALLS, NY
I PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Appeal # 403, at the request of Joan Clark, seeking a
variance of Section 413 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance,
to permit her to place a mobile home on property located on
Route 9D, known as Woodcrest Farm, in Hughsonville, being parcel #
6157-01-180640, in the Town of Wappinger.
II NEW BUSINESS:
1. Appeal # 401, at the request of Paris Dziadik, seeking an
interpretation to establish whether or not cake decorating for
sales is a customary home occupation.
2. Appeal # 402, at the request of Vincent Germano, seeking
an interpretation of what uses would be permitted on premises
located on Old Route 9, presently known as Sunset Knolls, in the
Town of Wappinger.
III _ UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Appeal # 394, at the request of Patrick Falciano, seeking a
variance of Section 414.06 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance,
to permit him to erect a 20' by 24' attached garage within 20 feet
of his sideyard lot line on property located on 47 Cider Mill Loop,
in the Town of Wappinger.
2. Appeal # 399, at the request of Robert -Mark Realty, Inc.
seeking a variance of Section 421, paragraph G of the Town of Wappinger
Zoning Ordinance, to permit them to erect a 4' by 6' free-standing
sign on Lot 54 of the Spook Hill Estates Subdivision, being parcel #
6257-01-172676, in the Town of Wappinger.
3. Appeal # 400, at the request of Robert G. Ruit, Zng. Admin.,
seeking an interpretation regarding number of uses permitted in
commercial zones and definition of "use".
4. Appeal # 357, at the request of Bruce Stotz - Proposed
amendment to Action on Appeal.
IV MINUTES:
Regular Meeting of May 9th, 1978.
M
The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the
Town of Wappinger was called to order on Tuesday, June 13th, 1978
at 8:05 p.m., at the Town Hall, Mill Street, Wappingers Falls,
New York.
Members Present:
Joseph E. Landolfi, Chairman
Charles A. Cortellino
Donald Mc Millen
Howard Prager
Members Absent:
Carol A. Waddle
Others Present:
Robert G. Ruit, Bldg. Inspectoi/Zoning Admin.
Betty -Ann Russ, Secretary
The Chairman asked the secretary if all the Appellants and
abutting property owners had been notified.
The secretary replied that they had been notified.
The Chairman then explained that it was the procedure of
the Board to hear all the cases and then retire to executive
session to review the information presented and then the Board
LO reconvenes at which time they may or may not render a decision
on each case.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Appeal ## 403, at the request of Joan Clark, seeking a variance
of Section 413 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance, to permit
her to place a mobile home on property located on Route 9D, known
as "Woodcrest Farm, in Hughsonville, being parcel ## 6157-01-180640,
in the Town of Wappinger.
The Chairman read the legal notice.
Joseph Clark and Joan Clark were present for the Appeal.
Mr. Landolfi asked if the intent was of a permanent nature
or would the trailer be on the property temporarily.
Joseph Clark noted that it would not be there for eternity
but he was retiring and wanted to help children take over the
property but at present it was impossible to work out a deal
and Mrs. Clark and her son wanted to reside in the trailer.
Zoning Board of Appeals -2- June 13th, 1978
Mr. Prager noted that on the drawing which was given to the
Board a septic was indicated and did this presently exist.
Mr. Clark replied no adding that this was where he thought
it should go as it was no closer than 100 feet to the house. He
noted that the well did exist.
Mr. Prager then asked Mr. Clark if he had an engineer or the
Board of Health look at the proposed septic location.
Mr. Clark replied no.
Mr. Cortellino noted that in the Appeal form it indicated that
the variance was being sought to help with the expenses of the
home and the land.
Mr. Clark replied that presently his daughter and her family
were in the house and that he hoped to retire by September lst
and that money is tight and the bank wants a large down payment
and this is prohibitive for them to bud the house.
Mr. Cortellino noted that the Appellant was pleading financial
hardship but in this case Mr. Clark owns the house and land and
couldn't he continue . . .
Mr. Clark responded that the bank, Joan (Mrs. Clark) and
himself owned the house.
Mr. Landolfi then asked if different arrangements could be
made from a financial standpoint to help and couldn't the children
just continue to make the mortgage payments.
Mr. Clark replied that there were other children involved
who don't live in the house and would not benefit.
Mr. Cortellino then asked if there would be a financial hardship
if the property and house were sold to a stranger and the money
was split with the children.
Mr. Clark replied that it was his desire to try to keep the
property in the family.
Zoning Board of Appeals -3-
June 13th, 1978
Mr. Cortellino then asked if the trailer would be occupied
by Mrs. Clark and her son.
Mrs. Clark replied yes and noted that she was in an apartment
presently and didn't have any idea on the size of the trailer other
than she would like a two bedroom trailer.
Mr. Louis D. Diehl, Supervisor of the Town of Wappinger, noted
that it was his feeling that during these difficult economic times
the Board should seriously consider this request as he felt that
the Town did not want to cause financial hardship and would want
to keep a family together and that these people were baring their
souls in making this request and he hoped that the Board could work
within the law to solve this problem at least temporarily.
Mr. Cortellino noted that trailers run around $12,000 and
that on 5.8 acres it appeared that the house could be expanded
without a variance and this would solve the problem.
Mr. Clark noted that the house had been added on to three
different times and there were pegged beams and you couldn't cut
thru without a great expense and that it was a stone foundation
and the pipes, etc. had been in the ground for many years.
The Chairman then read the following letter which the
Board had received.
June 13, 1978
Town of Wappingers Falls
Zoning Board of Appeals
Town Hall
Wappingers Falls, New York
Attention: Joseph E. Landolfi
Dear Mr. Landolf is
I, William Auffarth oppose the request of Joan Clark seeking
a variance of section 413, of Town of Wappingers Falls zoning ordinance,
to permit her to place a mobile home on property located on Route 9-D,
known as Woodcrest Farm's in Highsonville, and being parcel # 6157-01-
180640 in the town of Wappingers Falls.
Zoning Board of Appeals -4- June 13th, 1978
Yours, truly,
S/William Auffarth
Hopewell Road
Wappingers Falls,
New York 12590
The Chairman 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 8:18 p.m.
Appeal # 394, at the request of Patrick Falciano, seeking
a variance of Section 414.06 of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Ordinance,
to permit him to erect a 20' by 24' attached garage within 20 feet
of his sideyard lot line on property located on 47 Cider Mill Loop,
in the Town of Wappinger.
The Chairman read the legal notice.
Mr. Patrick Falciano was present for the Appeal.
Mr. Falciano noted that he had one child and was expecting
another and needed more room.
Mr. Landolfi asked Mr. Falciano-if-he could put the garage
out on the side facing All Angels Hill Road.
Mr. Falciano replied no that there was not enough room.
Mr. Landolfi noted that the property being a corner lot
limited what could be done on the lot and asked how many vehicles
Mr. Falciano owned.
Mr. Falciano replied that he had two cars and the garage is
presentlyunder the house and the new garage would give more space
and he would make another bedroom and enlarge the playroom.
Mr. Mc Millen asked if he would be moving the wall and bringing
the peak up.
Zoning Board of Appeals -5- June 13th, 1978
Mr. Falciano replied yes.
The Chairman then asked if there was anyone else present
who wished to be heard for or against the Appeal.
No one present wished to be heard.
The hearing was closed at 8:22 p.m.
Appeal # 399, at the request of Robert -Mark Realty, Inc.
seeking a variance of Section 421, paragraph G of the Town of
Wappinger Zoning Ordinance, to permit them to erect a 4' by 6'
free-standing sign on Lot 54 of the Spook Hill Estates Subdivision,
being parcel # 6257-01-172676, in the Town of Wappinger.
Mr. Mark Droumbakis of Robert -Mark Realty, Inc. was present
and noted that the attorney had been present at last month's
meeting. Mr. Droumbakis noted that he had taken three pictures
of the proposed location of the sign.
Mr. Landolfi noted that the firm name had no relationship
to the development.
Mr. Cortellino added that the sign is located where there
are no lots for sale and asked if just the telephone number could
be on the sign.
Mr. Ruit replied that this was against the law and that
you must identify yourself as a broker.
Mr. Droumbakis noted that James Klein Builders would be
constructing homes in the subdivision and Robert -Mark Realty
was the exclusive agent for Klein.
Mr. Cortellino then asked how long they thought they
would need the sign.
Mr. Droumbakis replied probably until the winter of
next year.
Mr. Mc Millen noted that the proposed locaton.was the vacant
lot in the front and was parallel rather than perpendicular and
was basically an advertising sign for Robert -Mark and not the
development.
Zoning Board of Appeals -6- June 13th, 1978
Mr. Landolfi noted that the proposed location for the sign
was quite a distance from the lots to be built upon and was on
quite a sharp curve and it didn't direct anyone to the building
area. He then noted that Royal Estates sign as a directory
type sign and asked if there was any alternative to this sign
proposal.
Mr. Droumbakis replied that this was what they normally
do and he didn't know of any alternative.
The Board then indicated to Mr. Droumbakis which homes
in the subdivision were occupied.
Mr. Droumbakis then gave the Board three photographs
of the proposed location of the sign.
The Board indicated that they would borrow the pictures and
would return them to Mr. Droumbakis.
No one else present wished to be heard.
Discussion was closed at 8:35 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appeal # 401, at the request of Paris Dziadik, seeking an
interpretation to establish whether or not cake decorating for sales
is a customary home occupation.
Mr. Paris Dziadik of New Hackensack Heights Road was present.
Mr. Dziadik noted that he had talked to Mr. Ruit, Zoning
Administrator, and was told that cake decorating was not listed
as a customary home occupation and advised me to seek an interpretation.
He added that if it was a customary home occupation he would have
to get a Special Use Permit and the Board of Health has some
requirements but that is no problem if it is okay with the Board.
Mr. Dziadik added that his wife would be doing this as she has
had schooling in this and has done this for relatives and friends
and that it would be strictly on a contract basis and would advertise
in the paper with the telephone number and there would be no signs.
The Board had no questions and the discussion was closed at
8:36 p.m.
Zoning Board of Appeals -7- June 13th, 1978
Appeal # 402, at the request of Vincent Germano, seeking an
interpretation of what uses would be permitted on premises located
on Old Route 9, -presently known as Sunset Knolls, in the Town of
Wapping er.
Mr. Vincent Germano and Mr. Charles Gumpert were present.
Mr. Cortellino asked if the site was legally non -conforming.
Mr. Ruit replied that the property was zoned HB -1 in front
and RD -20 in the back and in the front portion of the property
was rezoned in 1970 from GB to HB -1 and everything on the site
is non -conforming.
Mr. Germano noted that on a map dated revised 1974 the 18 room
boarding house was indicated and was built since zoning was adopted.
Mr. Mc Millen asked if there were 18 rooms.
Mr. Germano replied that it was substantially complete as it
was framed and roofed and there was some insulation and sheetrock
up but the building permit had expired.
Mr. Mc Millen commented that he felt this appeared to be an
expansion of a non -conforming use.
Mr. Landolfi then asked about what zoning papers there were
that had been referred to.
Mr. Ruit replied that a site plan had been approved for a tourist
home in the GB zone but that the building permit had expired during
construction and in the interim the zoning had changed. Mr. Ruit
added that it was his interpretation that extensions on building
permits are not allowed and a new permit must be taken out.
Mr. Landolfi asked why this wasn't followed up when the
permit expired.
Mr. Gumpert replied that he didn't have enough money and he
had put $40,000 of his own money into the building.
The Board then looked at the building plans.
Zoning Board of Appeals -8- June 13th, 1978
Mr. Ruit noted that he requires the stamp and seal of an
engineer on building plans which are signed by the Building
Inspector and added that he had the Gumpert permit files
upstairs in his office.
Mr. Cortellino commented that he noticed where the one story
frame building would be removed there was a six car parking lot.
Mr. Germano replied that in completing the 18 rooms it would
require more parking.
Mr. Cortellino noted that when he checked the site there was
a truck parked which covered five parking spaces.
Mr. Germano replied that when he took over the property
there would be rules and regulations.
Mr. Cortellino then asked about the ownership of the triangular
piece of property as there were five unregistered vehicles on the
property, one truck and four cars.
Mr. Germano noted that if there were on his property he
would object to them being there but he believed this was the
State's property.
He also noted that if the Board saw fit to allow him to finish
the building he would submit complete site plans and building plans.
Mr. Ruit noted that he would accept the Board's interpretation
on what they will allow on the property.
Mr. Germano commented that he would upgrade the property as
outlined in his application regarding drainage, parking, refurbishing,
etc. He added that he would be carrying the use as Mr. Gumpert
planned and would rent the rooms.
Mr. Cortellino asked what was the population of the apartments,
bungalow, the number of renters.
Mr. Gumpert replied that there were five in the front and
fourteen in the large structure.
Mr. Mc Millen asked if this was a motel type operation.
Zoning Board of Appeals -9- June 13th, 1978
Mr. Germano replied that they would be carrying on in the
kw same fashion and that the building was framed in but not finished
inside nor occupied.
It was noted that the residential use was in the HB zone and
the trailers were in the RD zone.
Mr. Mc Millen noted that he felt this was an expansion of
a non -conforming use and only 50 percent would be permitted.
Mr. Germano noted that Mr. Gumpert had a building permit and had
invested substantial monies.
Mr. Cortellino asked if there was a connection from the 1h story
building.
Mr. Germano replied that there was a staircase connecting the
buildings.
Mr. Mc Millen noted that it seemed to him that this would be
at least a 100 percent expansion of a non -conforming use.
Mr. Germano replied that the property isn't saleable without
the completion of the building and Mr. Gumpert had gotten site
LO, plan approval and a building permit for it.
Mr. Mc Millen also noted that there was a heavy concentration
of population on A acres.
Mr. Germano replied that the site predates the Zoning Ordinance
essentially.
The Board then recessed for executive session at 8:55 p.m.
The Board reconvened at 9:22 p.m.
With regard to Appeal # 402, at the request of Joan Clark,
a motion was made by Mr. Cortellino, seconded by Mr. Prager,
to deny the variance as there are other alternatives available.
Mr. Landolfi - abstained
Motion Was Carried By Those Members
Present
Mn,
Zoning Board of Appeals -10-
June 13th, 1978
With regard to Appeal # 401, at the request of Paris Dziadik,
it was the Zoning Board of Appeals' interpretation that cake
decorating was not a customary home occupation.
With regard to Appeal # 402, at the request of Vincent Germano,
a motion was made by Mr. Prager, seconded by Mr. Cortellino, to
table action.
Motion Was Unanimously Carried
By Those Members Present
With regard to Appeal # 394, at the request of Patrick Falciano,
a motion was made by Mr. Cortellino, seconded by Mr. Mc Millen,
to grant the requested variance.
Motion Was Unanmously Carried
By Those Members Present
With regard to Appeal # 399, at the request of Robert -Mark
Realty, Inc., a motion was made by Mr. Mc Millen, seconded by Mr. Prager,
to deny the requested variance due to the traffic hazard which exists.
Motion Was Unanimously Carried
BY Those Members Present
With regard to Appeal # 357, at the request of Bruce Stotz,
a motion was made by Mr. Prager, secpnded by Mr. Cortellino, to
accept the amendment to the Board's action as prepared by
Mr. Jon Holden Adams, Attorney to the Town.
Motion Was Unanimously Carried
By Those Members Present
A motion was then made by Mr. Cortellino, seconded by Mr. Prager,
to adjourn.
Motion Was Unanimously Carried
By Those Members Present
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs.) tty-Ann Russ, Secretary
br
UNAPPROVED