Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes 07/27/2016

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, July 27, 2016

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Regular Meeting Minutes

July 27, 2016

“Subject to Approval”

 

 

I.             CALL TO ORDER

Acting Chairman Katie Martin called the regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.  The following members were also present:  Tegan Blackburn, Dennis Fallon, JoAnn Hogan, Thomas Horan, Diane Madigan and Chris Peterson.  Also present were James Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development, Robin Newton, Code Compliance Officer and Leslie Brigham, Clerk. 

 

 

II.            ROLL CALL

 

1.            Appointment of Alternates

 

Acting Chairman Martin appointed Diane Madigan for Steven Antonio.  Ms. Martin asked Thomas Horan to serve as Secretary.

 

Ms. Blackburn made a motion to amend the agenda for the Regular Meeting on July 27, 2016 to move the Election of Officers to the end of the meeting.   Mr. Horan seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion passed.

 

 

III.           ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

Mr. Fallon made a motion to elect Katie Martin as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for 2016 to 2017.  Mr. Horan seconded the motion.  Board members voted five (5) yes and one (1) (Ms. Blackburn) No.  The motion passed.

 

Ms. Blackburn made a motion to elect Thomas Horan as Secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals for 2016 to 2017.  Mr. Fallon seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion passed.

 

 

IV.          APPLICATIONS

 

Mr. Horan read into the record the legal notice for the Town of Simsbury Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting for July 27, 2016 that included the following application:

 

Application #16-01 of Gerri L. Hatch, Owner, for a variance to the front yard setback, pursuant to Article Eight, Section A of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate the addition of a deck to the existing residence on the property located at 40 Hazelmeadow Place (Assessor’s Map G13, Block 132, Lot 023).  Zone R-15.  (to be received 7/27/2016; public hearing must be opened by 09/30/2016)

 

 

1.            Public Hearings

 

a.            Application #16-01 of Gerri L. Hatch, Owner, for a variance to the front yard setback, pursuant to Article Eight, Section A of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate the addition of a deck to the existing residence on the property located at 40 Hazelmeadow Place (Assessor’s Map G13, Block 132, Lot 023).  Zone R-15.  (to be received 7/27/2016; public hearing must be opened by 09/30/2016)

 

Ms. Hatch discussed her application for a variance to the front yard setback to accommodate the addition of a deck to the existing residence on the property located at 40 Hazelmeadow Place to the Zoning Board of Appeals.  She described the deck she would like to build on the property.

 

Board members asked Ms. Hatch questions on her application and discussed her hardships noted in application.  Board members also discussed some options for the homeowner.

 

Ms. Martin closed the Public Hearing on Application #16-01.

 

Ms. Blackburn made a motion for approval of Application #16-01 seeking a 7’ foot variance for the purpose of a installing a 20 x 24 deck as shown in the applicant’s plan based on the hardship described in the application.  Mr. Horan seconded the motion.

 

2.              Discussion and Possible Action

 

Application #16-01 of Gerri L. Hatch, Owner, for a variance to the front yard setback, pursuant to Article Eight, Section A of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate the addition of a deck to the existing residence on the property located at 40 Hazelmeadow Place (Assessor’s Map G13, Block 132, Lot 023).  Zone R-15.  (to be received 7/27/2016; public hearing must be opened by 09/30/2016)

 

Board members discussed their opinions on this application and if they would consider a reduced variance.  The hardship discussed is the property is a corner lot.

 

Ms. Blackburn amended her motion on Application #16-01 from 7’ to a 2’ foot variance   Mr. Horan seconded the motion.

               

                Board members voted 5 (five) Yes and 1 (Ms. Blackburn) No.  The motion passed as amended.

 

 

V.            OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEORE THIS COMMISSION

 

No discussion on this topic.

 

 

 

 

VI.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

 

1.            Commission Education/Workshop

 

Ms. Blackburn and Board members discussed with staff members, Mr. Rabbitt and Ms. Newton, the role of the Zoning Board of Appeals and questioned why there have not been any applicants coming before the Board in the last six months.

 

Mr. Rabbitt and Ms. Newton explained their role with possible variance applicants and the number of individuals that had come in to get information.

 

Mr. Rabbit stated that the Zoning Board of Appeals’ September meeting could be a training/education meeting if there aren’t any applications for this meeting.

 

 

VII.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 16, 2015

 

Amendment to Page 3, line 110:  Change Mr. “MacCormac” to Mr. “Fallon”

 

Amendment to Page 4, line 165:  Change Ms. “Tegan” to Ms. “Blackburn”.

 

                Mr. Fallon made a motion to approve the minutes as amended for December 16, 2015.  Ms. Madigan seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion passed.

 

 

VIII.        ADJOURNMENT

 

                Mr. Fallon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.  Mr. Horan seconded the motion.   All were in favor and the motion passed.

 

 

 

Leslie Brigham

Clerk