TOWN OF MACEDON

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

December 18, 2013

The Town of Macedon Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 7:30 p.m., at the Town Complex, 32 Main Street, Macedon, NY. Present were Chairman Warren Jeffries and members Aaron Cook and Carl Eligh. Also present were Town Councilwoman Sandy Pagano and Board Clerk Susan Bush. Absent were John Gravino, Ronald Santovito and Town Engineer/CEO Scott Allen.

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

PUBLIC HEARING:

Z-12-13 – Zaretsky – 1035 Mayflower Drive – Area Variance – Section 135-162-B – Expansion of a non-conforming building & Section 135 Schedule I – Side & front setbacks for residential addition – Applicants Bruce Zaretsky and Sharon Coates were present to address the Board. Mr. Zaretsky explained this is their second request for variances. After being denied in October, they have reduced the size of the addition, increased the distance away from the side property line and increased the distance away from the front property line. Mr. Zaretsky went on to address some of the concerns previously voiced by the adjoining property owner: (1) Fumes/noise would be reduced if their vehicles were parked in a garage instead of their driveway. Vehicles would not have to be warmed up/cleaned off if kept in a garage. (2) Fire risk – The applicant has a home security system. (3) View north on Mayflower – The applicant felt this was not a factor as they were allowed to plant trees/shrubs in that area which could block the view the same as a garage. He then explained their need for a two-car garage (currently one-car garage) and a mudroom. They now enter their home directly into the dining room and have no space to hang coats and leave shoes/boots, etc.

Mr. Zaretsky stated that according to his research approximately 20 variances had been granted since 2006 for side and front setbacks. Mr. Jeffries questioned the change between the current application and the October submission. Mr. Zaretsky explained the size of the garage addition had been reduced, placing it 2 ft. farther away from the side property line and 2 ft. farther back from the front setback line than the previous request.

A resident at 1016 Mayflower Drive was present to speak in favor of granting these variances. He stated the applicants had substantially improved the property since taking ownership. He also noted there were other property owners in the neighborhood who were in the same situation and would like to have larger garages.

Ms. Coates then addressed the Board. She explained she had spoken to various neighbors and presented the Board with letters of support from the following property owners: 581 Lexington Dr., 1016 Mayflower Dr., 583 Lowell Dr., 602 Lexington Dr., 1051 Mayflower Dr., 1003 Mayflower Dr., 1043 Mayflower Dr. and 599 Lexington Dr.

The neighbors at 1025 Mayflower Drive were present and represented by their daughter, who addressed the Board. They had reviewed the new plans and opposed the granting of these variances. They felt the proposed garage would be too close to their common property line and the bedrooms of their home, and there would be a negative impact on the value of their home. They felt the objections stated in their 10-16-13 letter still applied to this revised request.

· Town Board – No comment

· Planning Board – The Board recognized the modified request and the owner’s need for

additional storage space. However, they felt there was insufficient side setback.

· SEQR – Not required at Appeals level

· Wayne County Planning Board – Referral not required

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

BOARD DISCUSSION:

MINUTES:

A motion to approve the 10-16-13 minutes was made by Carl Eligh, seconded by Aaron Cook. All in favor (Gravino & Santovito absent); minutes approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Carl Eligh, seconded by Aaron Cook. All in favor (Gravino & Santovito absent); meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Bush

Clerk to the Board