Minutes of the regular meeting of the

Johnson City Zoning Board of Appeals held on

August 19, 2009 at 7:30pm at

243 Main St., Johnson City, NY

 

Present:           Edward Mazanek, Chairman

Vernon Rowlands, Vice Chairman

                        Dr. Steve Holowinski

                        Charles Snedaker                   

                        Jeff Jacobs, Village Attorney

                        Daria Golazeski

                                               

Absent:            Diane Marusich

 

A brief work session was held at 7:00pm.

 

Chairman Mazanek called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.

 

Chairman Mazanek noted the emergency exits.

 

Minutes – A motion to accept the minutes of the July 13, 2009 regular meeting was made by Mr. Rowlands and seconded by Mr. Snedaker. The motion carried.

 

Privilege of the Floor – None

 

Communications – None

 

Contingencies - None

 

OLD BUSINESS - None

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Area Variances – Gail Wadin, 18 Haynes Avenue

 

The application is for area variances to reduce the minimum required side yard setback from 5 feet to 0 feet and to increase the maximum allowable lot coverage from 30% to 34.5% for the construction of a garage. Mr. Tom Conlon was present on behalf of the applicant.

 

Chairman Mazanek opened the Public Hearing.

 

Mr. Conlon explained that they are proposing to build an 18ft. x 22ft. attached garage. This would enable them to get 2 cars off of the road during the winter months and would help to protect the foundation of the house. An 18ft. concrete pad was poured 4 years ago. Following the meeting with the Planning Board, they are willing to change to a 16ft. garage with a 1ft. overhang.

 

Chairman Mazanek asked about the distance now from the house to the property line. Mr. Conlon stated that it is 20ft. The existing workshop is 2ft. off of the property line.

 

Mr. Snedaker asked if Mr. Conlon is amending his application for the construction of a 16 ft. x 22ft. garage. Mr. Conlon stated that yes he was.

 

Attorney Jacobs reviewed the discussion and concerns of the Planning Board at their meeting with the applicant.

 

Mr. Rowlands asked about NYS Code for wood frame construction and 0 lot lines. Mr. Conlon stated that Building Inspector, Ken Jennison, informed him that he may need to go to Syracuse to apply for a variance from the State Building Code.

 

Chairman Mazanek closed the public hearing.

 

Chairman Mazanek read the Department Head Comments.

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS

Code Enforcement:               The following need to be done: 1) No impact to this department as far as the site plan review. 2) The building will need to comply with NYS Building and Fire Codes as well as the Village of Johnson City Code. 3) The owner will need to apply for a variance for building closer than 5 feet from the property line. 4) No work is to commence without a building permit being issued. 5) A Certificate of Occupancy is required prior to occupying.     

Fire Dept:                               Needs to follow code for no setback in construction of the garage.

Planning Dept:                      Existing buildings cover 1,934.06sq.ft. or 28.6% of property. New garage will add an additional 396sq. ft. to increase coverage to 2330.06sq. ft. or 34.5% of lot. 4.5% over allowed area coverage setback required. Wood frame construction not permitted within zero property line setback in NYSBC. Recommend denial of side setback variance.

Police Dept:                            NCI    

Public Works & Water:        NCI at this time due to lack of time to review. If any issues arise I will review my concerns with the Building Inspector prior to the issuance of a building permit.     

B. C. Planning:                      Not applicable to this application.

JC Planning Board:              Recommend approval of the area variance to reduce the minimum required side yard setback from 5 feet to 3 feet. Recommend approval of the area variance to increase the maximum lot coverage from 30% to 34.5%.

 

Attorney Jacobs advised the applicant to contact Village Engineer, Robert Bennett at the DPW to review run off concerns.

 

Mr. Rowlands asked about the distance from the property line to the existing workshop. Mr. Conlon stated that this building was a pre-existing, non-conforming building.

 

Mr. Rowlands asked if there would be access to the garage from the inside of the house. Mr. Conlon stated that no there would not be.

 

Chairman Mazanek asked Zoning Board Clerk Diane Salva if there had been any phone calls received regarding the public hearing. Ms. Salva stated that no calls were received.

 

A motion to approve the variance to increase the maximum lot coverage from 30% to 34% was made by Mr. Rowlands and seconded by Chairman Mazanek.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:

 

Yes 4 (Rowlands, Holowinski, Snedaker, Mazanek)         No – 0          Absent – 1 (Marusich)

 

A motion to approve the variance to reduce the minimum required side yard setback from 5ft. to 3 ft. including the department head comments was made by Dr. Holowinski and seconded by Mr. Snedaker.

 

Motion Carried - Vote:

 

Yes 3 (Holowinski, Snedaker, Mazanek)        No – 1 (Rowlands)         Absent – 1 (Marusich)

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Diane Salva

Zoning Board Clerk