APPEALS BOARD MINUTES
 August 15, 2001

THE TOWN OF MACEDON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING WAS HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2001 AT THE TOWN OF MACEDON CCOMPLEX, 1675 N WAYNEPORT ROAD, MACEDON, NEW YORK.  PRESENT WERE, CHAIRMAN WARREN JEFFRIES, MEMBERS, SUE BUSH AND JOHN GRAVINO.  ALSO PRESENT WERE BUILDING AND ZONING OFFICER, MARIO FIORAVANTI AND TOWN COUNCILMAN, DAVID MAUL.  ABSENT WERE BOARD MEMBERS CHARLES PACKARD AND HELEN SAVERSKY.

Mr. Jeffries called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Mr. Jeffries explained the purpose for which this board serves and read the legal notice as it appeared in the “Times”.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Art Parts Signs / Prudential Rochester Realty Macedon Commons / Area Variance - Section 135-191-C and 135-191-C-3 / Would like to install signs non-conforming to the Town of Macedon Sign Code
Mr. Jim Denniston of 131 Washington Street Palmyra, NY 14522, manager of Prudential Rochester Realty Macedon Office was present to address the board.  Andy Ramsko of Art Parts Signs was also present to address the board.  Jim stated that he has been in business many years and knows the importance of recognition and exposure.  Jim stated that by moving the location of the business he is already loosing some of that recognition, however, it is necessary for the space.  The new space is 3000 square foot and a considerable amount of money has been invested.  Jim stated that the visibility of the building was an important factor because the entrance of the building faces the plaza.  Jim stated that by the signs being placed on the three sides it would allow them to attract business from Route 31 and also from the people entering and exiting the plaza.  Pictures were presented to the board showing the angles at which the signs would be seen.  Jim stated that this visibility is critical in making the location work.  Jim also stated that the sales force would be increased from 13 agents currently to 25-30 agents.  Jim explained that the interior of the building has been completed and the phone transfer date is August 24, 2001.  Andy stated that the size of the signs is within the town code, however, the number of signs is too many.  He told the board that the logo part of the sign would be 30" and the length of the sign would be approximately 10'.  Andy, again, explained the importance of visibility to the business.  Andy described the signs as being channel letters, each individual and internally light with no background.  He stated that this was similar to what the rest of the plaza was using.  During the day the letters would appear blue and when light at night would be white.  The exact measurement of the signs was given as being 28.5" tall by 9'6" in length and each would be approximately 24 square feet.  Jim stated that the signs are regulated by Prudential.  Sue Bush asked the length of the store frontage.  After lengthy discussion on this issue Mr. Denniston went and measured the store frontage, which ended up being 40'.  Warren Jeffries asked if the property could already have a variance from when the auto part shop was there.  After reviewing past minutes it was determined that a variance had been applied for in the past but denied.  Warren stated that he was not so concerned about the East / West Signs but had concerns that by looking at the pictures presented you could see more than one sign.  He also stated that he had concerns that if they granted a variance for three signs at this end of the building what is to prevent Valvoline from requesting a variance for a third sign.  Andy replied that Valvoline had the advantage of their entrance being directly under one of their signs, whereas, it would be difficult for Prudential customers to find the entrance without the third sign.  Andy also stated that a request from Valvoline would be redundant because it would only face Route 31 and both of their current signs are already visible from Route 31.  Andy stated that the three Prudential signs would allow visibility from both directions of Route 31 and from the Plaza.  Jim stated that the third sign is important because of the traffic from the plaza, he stated that if this building did not face the plaza and faced an empty field instead they would not be moving there.  Jim stated that the traffic that goes through the plaza is important to recognize.  Jim also stated that he knows the front of the building needs landscaping.  Sue questioned if the sign shown on the picture presented over the door was to scale.  It was determined by the length of the building that this is not shown to scale.  No one else was present to speak for or against the granting of this variance.
 -Planning Board had no comment on this application
-Town Board had no objections
-No Comment had been received from the Wayne County Planning Board
-SEQR not required
 

BOARD DISCUSSION

Arts Parts Signs / Prudential Rochester Realty Macedon Commons / Area Variance - Section 135-191-C and 135-191-C-3 / Would like to install signs non-conforming to the Town of Macedon Sign Code
A motion was made by John Gravino to grant this variance under Section 135-191-C and 135-191-C-3 for Prudential Rochester Realty in the Macedon Commons, seconded by Sue Bush.  Five factors concerning an area variance were reviewed.
Roll Vote: Gravino-yes  Bush-yes  Jeffries-yes Therefor this variance is granted.

MINUTES  A motion to approve the minutes from July 10, 2001 was made by Sue Bush and seconded by John Gravino, all in favor.

OTHER BUSINESS
Correspondence was received from James and Elaine Hartnagel, who were also present to address the board, concerning the variance granted to them previously for the property on Route 31 next to Yellow Mills Diner.  Elaine stated that the previous variance was granted for a 100' setback from Route 31, whereas, the normal setback requirement is 250'.  Elaine stated that when she contacted the engineer to go to the planning board he stated that a second variance was needed due to the 50' setback requirement from the creek.  Elaine explained to the board that if she had know about this variance she would have submitted for both at the same time or would have requested a 75' setback from Route 31 to avoid the needed variance for the creek setbacks.  She stated that her engineer recommended that she apply for a revision of her 100' setback variance instead of applying for a second variance.  Warren stated that a new application would need to be submitted.  John Gravino asked about the fill being brought to the property.  Elaine stated that the village of Palmyra was bringing fill there to bring that area to grade.  Mario told Elaine that it did not matter how many variances a property had.  Warren explained that a public hearing would need to be held for the granting of a second variance or the modification of the existing variance.
Warren also asked the present board members for their input concerning the annual budget.  Nothing was presented and Warren stated he would complete the paperwork and submit.
Dave Maul asked that Jennifer submit minutes for the website.

ADJOURNMENT 8:40 p.m.