Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes 05/22/2019

SIMSBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - Subject to Vote of Approval

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Simsbury Town Hall - Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

I.             CALL TO ORDER:

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.

  II.          ROLL CALL:

                The following members were present: Katie Martin, Thomas Horan, Steven Antonio,                     JoAnn Hogan

                Absent:  Dennis Fallon, Chris Peterson, Kathryn Robbins, Diane Madigan

                Also Present: Mike Glidden, CZEO, CFM, Janelle Mullen, 

III.           APPLICATIONS:

                                1.            Public Hearings

a.            Application # 19-02, of Karen Bellino, Owner, for a variance to the front yard setback pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate the construction of an addition to the existing non-conforming garage on the property located at 4 Old Meadow Plain Road (Assessor’s Map C17, Block 404, Lot 015-B). Zone R-25 (public hearing must be closed by 06/26/2019).

Chairman Martin opened the public hearing for speakers and discussion at 7:04 P.M.                                       

                Karen Bellino, presented application #19-02 to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Ms. Bellino                                described her property and detailed why she is requesting a variance for setback. Ms.                        Bellino explained that the current garage structure is non conforming to current                                    standards and explained that the addition to the garage is meant to house an extra                              antique vehicle as well as other antiques.

                Discussion was had about the possibility of moving the entire garage back, to make the                 garage deeper. The applicant explained that this would cause loss of garden area, green       space and an established fire pit. The Board also suggested sheds on the property,                           which the applicant noted that there is already a shed on the property and adding any                          more might cause issues due to well placement. The applicant also conveyed that she is                 striving for no tree removal. Alternate storage of the antique vehicle was also discussed,                             with the applicant expressing wishes to keep the vehicle on her property.

                Chairman Martin explained to the applicant that if a variance is granted, the variance                      stays with the property even if the house is sold so criteria must be clearly met.

                Staff advised the Board that granting of a variance reduces nonconformity of the                                             setback.

                At 7:30 P.M., Chairman Martin closed the public hearing for Application #19-02.                                                                                                

                                                                b.  Application #19-03 of Dudleytown LLC, Owner, for variances                 to the side yard setbacks pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the Simsbury Zoning                      Regulations to accommodate encroachments by a recently-built new resident on the                                property located at 23 Mountain Road (Assessor’s Map, K04, Block 127, Lot 014). Zone                         R-15. (public  hearing must be closed by 06/26/2019)

                Application #19-03 will be continued at the next meeting.

                                2.            Discussion and Possible Actions

     a.   Application # 19-01, of Karen Bellino, Owner, for a variance to the front yard setback pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations to accommodate the construction of an addition to the existing non-conforming garage on the property located at 4 Old Meadow Plain Road (Assessor’s Map C17, Block 404, Lot 015-B). Zone R-25 (decision must be rendered within 65 days of closing public hearing)

                At 7:30 P.M. Mr. Antonio made a motion to grant a variance to the front yard setback                    pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the SImsbury Zoning Regulations to                                                 accommodate the construction of an addition to the existing nonconforming garage on                            the property located at 4 Old Meadow Plain Road (Assessor’s Map C17, Block 404, Lot                         015-B). Zone R-25.

                Motion was seconded by Ms. Hogan. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

                                                     b.       Application #19-03 of Dudleytown LLC, Owner, for variances                       to the side yard setbacks pursuant to Article Eight, Section A, of the Simsbury Zoning                      Regulations to accommodate encroachments by a recently-built new resident on the                                property located at 23 Mountain Road (Assessor’s Map, K04, Block 127, Lot 014). Zone                         R-15. (decision must be rendered within 65 days of closing public hearing)

                No Action necessary, Application #19-03 continued until next meeting.

IV.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

                None

V.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES

                At 7:35 P.M., Mr. Antonio made a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from                               March 27, 2019 Board of Appeals meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Horan. Motion                     passed unanimously, 4-0.

VI.          ADJOURNMENT

                At 7:36 P.M., Ms. Hogan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded                                by Mr. Horan. Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.

Submitted by:

Kimberly Rathbun

Clerk