ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

July 18, 2007

 

 

The Town of Macedon Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was held on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, at the Town Complex, 32 Main Street, Macedon, NY.  Present were Chairman Warren Jeffries and members Carl Eligh, John Gravino and Charles Packard.  Also present were Code Enforcement Officer Michael Nelson and Board Clerk Susan Bush.  Absent were Ronald Santovito and Councilman David McEwen.

 

Mr. Jeffries called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  He then explained the purpose for which this Board serves and read the Legal Notice as it appeared in the Times.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

 

Z-10-07 – Wiegel/Kelly – 972 Alderman Road – Area Variance – Sections 135-61-B-3, B-5, D-2, D-3 – Accessory structure (riding ring/barn) larger than allowed, accessory structure in side yard, street setback – Jim Bonsignore, attorney for the applicant, and Parr Wiegel were present to explain this request.  The property is an old farm located at the corner of Alderman and Magog Roads with several barns on the property.  Two dilapidated barns have been removed, and the new 60’ x 120’ barn would replace them.  By definition, a corner lot has no rear yard only front and side; therefore, a variance is required to put an accessory structure in the side yard.  Setback requirement for a barn housing animals is 100 ft. from the right-of-way.  Applicant does not intend to have horses stabled there; inside area will be used for riding only with a possible wash station and a hobby/workshop area.  A 30 ft. setback was originally requested, but applicant is willing to move the barn back to observe a 60 ft. setback from the right-of-way (77 ft. from edge of pavement).  This would meet the Code requirement if no animals are involved.  Building will be white with dark raised seam roof, cupolas and crossbuck doors in keeping with the area architecture and will restore the look of the original farmstead.  Applicant feels this will increase the value of his property as well as that of the surrounding properties.  Mr. Bonsignore also stated the barn directly across Alderman Road had received a variance.

 

A letter (see file) from the neighbor at 1004 Alderman Road listed the following concerns:  (1) Size of barn; (2) “Temporary” nature of horses & manure disposal; (3) Driveway onto Magog Road; (4) Corner lot/setback; (5) Substantial amount of variance; (6) Building design.  Mr. Bonsignore addressed these areas:  (1) Size is the result of the amount of area needed to “work” a horse; (2) Horses will not be housed in the barn; (3) Magog Road entrance would be through an existing gate/entrance which was used for years as access to bring in hay for farm animals; (4) Corner lot has no rear yard; (5) Building would be beneficial to the community and would be in keeping with the rural/agricultural nature of the neighborhood.

 

Mr. Gravino cited the example of a similar barn on Wilkinson Road which received a variance.  Mr. Eligh questioned the number of horses to be housed.  Mr. Wiegel replied that no horses would be housed there.  He is an inventor, and the space would be used for his hobby.  The riding ring would add resale value.  He also stated two large, dilapidated farm barns had been removed, and the new barn would be a replacement for them.

 

·        Wayne County Planning Board – 1) hardship criteria required to

grant an area variance are substantiated at the local level, 2) if

possible, the building’s front yard setback should at least meet

existing regulations for residential structures, thereby “keeping in

character” with other surrounding developments, 3) manure should

be properly disposed of and 4) any proposed driveway should meet

required sight distance.

·        Planning Board – Corner lot with 2 front setbacks; pictures did not

match building elevations; overall positive referral.

·        Town Board – No comment

·        SEQR – Not required at the local level.

 

There was no one else present to speak for or against the granting of these variances.

 

Z-09-07 – Shepardson – 1117 Yellow Mills Road – Area Variance – Sections 135 Schedule I (Attachment 1) & 135-61-B-5 – Front setback for pole barn & accessory structure in side yard – Bruce Shepardson was present to explain his application.  The Shepardsons have a small house built in the 1950’s which is 49 ft. from the road with a small detached one-car garage.  They have two sons who drive, and the additional space is needed to get vehicles out of the driveway.  Topography of the property makes alternate locations for the barn difficult.  Barn will be 24 ft. x 24 ft., vinyl sided to match the house.  Mr. Gravino questioned a utility easement shown on the survey map.  Mr. Shepardson stated he had verbal approval from the utility company to build over the easement (buried cable) as long as he did not hit the cable.  He also stated a large quantity of fill will be brought in at the back of the barn so that a retaining wall will not be necessary.

 

Chairman Jeffries read a letter from the neighbor at 1112 Yellow Mills Road (see file) with the following concerns:  (1) Character/appearance of structure; (2) Third detached structure on property; (3) Utility easement & permission to build on it; (4) Design of west side foundation wall.  Resident requested variance be rejected as proposed.

 

Mr. Santovito, who was absent, submitted a note of concern regarding the utility easement (see file).

 

·        Planning Board – Board had the following concerns:  (1) Confirmation from utility company regarding easement;  (2) Alternate locations on

some other portion of the property; (3) Third accessory structure (garage,

shed, pole barn).

·        Wayne County Planning Board – Referral not required

·        Town Board – No comment

·        SEQR – Not required

 

There was no one else present to speak for or against the granting of these variances.

 

 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

 

Z-10-07 – Wiegel/Kelly – 972 Alderman Road – Area Variance – Sections 135-61-B-3, B-5, D-2, D-3 – Accessory structure (riding ring/barn) larger than allowed, accessory structure in side yard, street setback – A motion was made by John Gravino, seconded by Carl Eligh, to approve these variances.  Board members had no problem with the size of the barn.  However, they did have concerns regarding the road setback and felt there was sufficient room to move the barn.  The applicant agreed to move the barn back to 60 ft. from the right-of-way (77 ft. from the edge of Magog Road pavement).  Mr. Eligh expressed a desire for the 100 ft. setback required for buildings housing horses.  Mr. Wiegel explained moving the barn back to that distance would place it very close to an existing barn (30-35 ft.), and it would block any view of their property from the house.  There is also more slope involved when moving the barn back.

 

The five factors were reviewed.  An amended motion was made by John Gravino, seconded by Charles Packard, to approve these variances for this barn with the Magog Road setback to be at least 60 ft. from the right-of-way (77 ft. from edge of pavement).

 

Roll Vote:  Eligh – yes; Gravino – yes; Packard – yes; Santovito – absent; Jeffries – yes.  Therefore, these variances are granted.

 

Z-09-07 – Shepardson – 1117 Yellow Mills Road – Area Variance – Sections 135 Schedule I (Attachment 1) & 135-61-B-5 – Front setback for pole barn & accessory structure in side yard – A motion was made by John Gravino, seconded by Charles Packard, to grant these variances.  The question of a third accessory structure was discussed.  Mr. Shepardson explained the existing shed is approximately 5-1/2 ft. x 6-1/2 ft.  Chairman Jeffries stated that buildings less than 100 sq. ft. are not included in the number of accessory structures, which would be the case here.  Mr. Eligh asked to see plans/elevations for the building.  The applicant did not have them available; however, building will be a “kit” from a local lumber/hardware store.  Members would like to see written permission from the utility company regarding the easement.  The five factors were reviewed.

 

Roll Vote:  Eligh – yes; Gravino – yes; Packard – yes; Santovito – absent; Jeffries – yes.  Therefore, these variances are granted.

 

 

MINUTES:

 

A motion to approve the 06-20-07 minutes was made by John Gravino, seconded by Carl Eligh.  All in favor; minutes approved.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Motion to adjourn was made by John Gravino, seconded by Charles Packard.  All in favor; meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Susan Bush

Clerk to the Board