Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes 12/20/2017
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Regular Meeting Minutes
December 20, 2017
“Subject to Approval”
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Katie Martin called the regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals to order at 7:04 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were also present Dennis Fallon, JoAnn Hogan, Diane Madigan, Steven Antonio and Chris Peterson. Also present were Robin Newton, Code Compliance Officer
II. ROLL CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates
Chairman Martin appointed Mr. Peterson for Mr. Horan.
Chairman Martin appointed Ms. Madigan to serve as Secretary.
III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Dennis Fallon made a motion to nominate Katie Martin as Chairman and Thomas Horan as Secretary. Diane Madigan seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
IV. APPLICATIONS
Ms. Madigan read into the record the legal notice for the Town of Simsbury Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting for December 20, 2017 that included the following applications:
1. Public Hearings
Application No. 17-06 of Jeff and Kate Metzger, Owners, for a variance to the front yard setback, pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate an addition to the existing residence on the property located at 19 Wintonbury Road (Assessor’s Map J09, Block 106, Lot 052)
Chairman Martin opened the public hearing. Linda Howley from Stone Howley Architects was present along with Jeff Metzger, property owner. Ms. Howley gave a presentation concerning the variance request and went through the hardships that were listed in the application file.
After Ms. Howley’s presentation the Board members asked some questions regarding the lots around them, what direction the house faced and who directly abutted them. There was a discussion concerning the uniqueness of the lot in its shape and placement of the house. It was noted that the entire structure is placed entirely in the front yard setback.
Mr. Metzger presented the Chairman Martin with 4 letters of support from direct abutters. Those letters were read into the record. There were no public present to speak.
2. Discussion and Possible Action
Application No. 17-06 of Jeff and Kate Metzger, Owners, for a variance to the front yard setback, pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate an addition to the existing residence on the property located at 19 Wintonbury Road (Assessor’s Map J09, Block 106, Lot 052)
Board members briefly discussed Application #17-06.
Chairman Martin closed the Public Hearing on Application #17-06.
Mr. Fallon made a motion to approve Application #17-06 for a variance to the front yard setback, pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate an addition to the existing residence. This variance is granted in accordance to the variance setbacks as shown on plans entitled, “Zoning Location Survey, Dependent Resurvey, prepared for Kate A. Barrett and Jeffrey R. Metzger, 19 Wintonbury Road, Simsbury, Connecticut, Prepared by North Star Surveying & Engineering, LLC, 998 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107, Dated 08/23/17, Scale 1”=30’” The variance is limited to the structure as shown on the referenced plans. Any future additions or accessory structures would need to comply with the regulations.
The Board is approving this variance for the following reasons as discussed: the location of the septic system prohibits an addition from being placed on the back of the home. The 1933 regulations allowed structures to be as close as 8’ to a property boundary while the current setback is 50’ and the lot itself is uniquely shaped and has a small “buildable” area when the setbacks are placed on the lot in comparison to similar lots around them.
The motion was seconded by Chris Peterson.
Board members voted 6(six) Yes and 0 (zero) No. The motion has passed.
IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Approval of proposed 2018 Meeting Dates
The Board reviewed the meeting schedule.
Dennis Fallon made a motion to approve the 2018 meeting schedule as presented. Diane Madigan seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of June 28, 2017
Mr. Fallon made a motion to approve the minutes for June 28, 2017 with the following changes.
Chairman Martin made the following change to the June 28, 2017 minutes:
Page 4, Line 166 reads, “Ms. Fallon seconded the motion”, should read “Mr. Fallon seconded the motion.”
Page 5, Line 190 reads, “Attorney Carigna, representing Michael Marti”, should read, “Attorney Carignan, representing Michael Marti”.
Page 5, Line 192 reads, “Carigna also gave the history of this property”, should read, “Carignan also gave the history of this property”.
Page 5, Line 194 reads, “Board members asked questions to Attorney Carigna”, should read, “Board members asked questions to Attorney Carignan”.
Chris Peterson seconded the motion to approve the minutes with the above changes. Motion carried 6-0.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Fallon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Robin Newton, CZEO
Code Compliance Officer