TOWN OF MACEDON

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

February 17, 2016

 

 

The Town of Macedon Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 7:30 p.m., at the Town Complex, 32 Main Street, Macedon, NY.  Present were Chairman Warren Jeffries and Board members Carl Eligh, Brian Frey and Anthony Rosati.  Also present were Town Councilman Bruce Babcock and Board Clerk Susan Bush.  Absent were Ronald Santovito and Town Engineer/CEO Scott Allen.  New Town Board liaison Bruce Babcock was introduced to the members.

 

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 HEARINGS:

 

Z-01-16 – Wolcott – 2449 Magog Road – Area Variance – Sections 135-61-B-3 & B-5 – Size & location of pole barn – Applicant Jamie Wolcott was present to address the Board.  He would like to construct a 40’ x 60’ pole barn in his “front” yard.  Also, the square footage of the barn (2,400 sq. ft.) would be greater than that of his house (1,950 sq. ft.)  The house is approximately 350 ft. from the road, and Mr. Wolcott cannot place the barn behind his house due to the location of the septic system.  He would like to use the barn for storage of personal items (RV, 4-wheeler, boat) and an office for his use as a surveyor.  No commercial use would be made of the building.  An existing stand of pine trees will screen the barn from the road.  It was noted that another property just to the west of Mr. Wolcott’s had previously received a variance for a barn in the “front” yard.

 

·        Planning Board – Positive referral

·        Town Board – No comment

·        Wayne County Planning Board – Referral not required

·        SEQR – Not required at Appeals level

 

There was no one else to speak for or against the granting of these variances.  The public hearing was closed at 7:40 p.m.

 

Z-02-16 – Staples – 1146 Route 31 – Area Variance – Sections 135-189-E, 190-B & C – Number, size & extension for building-mounted signs – Applicant Brian Staples and Nelson Baranes from Premier Sign Systems were present to address the Board.  Mr. Baranes explained the two (2) proposed building-mounted signs would be awnings placed on the east and west sides of the building as opposed to one (1) sign on the north side.   The two signs would increase the visibility from Route 31.  The size of the signs was determined by the logo and amount of wording to be included.  The extension from the building (24” vs. 18” code requirement) is needed to accommodate the lighting.  No neon or flashing lights will be used.

 

·        Planning Board – Positive referral

·        Town Board – Supports granting the variances

·        Wayne County Planning Board – Returned to the Town to be handled as a local matter

·        SEQR – Not required at Appeals level

 

There was no one else to speak for or against the granting of these variances.  The public hearing was closed at 7:50 p.m.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

 

Z-01-16 – Wolcott – 2449 Magog Road – Area Variance – Sections 135-61-B-3 & B-5 – Size & location of pole barn – A motion was made by Carl Eligh, seconded by Tony Rosati, to grant the variances as submitted in the application.

 

Chairman Jeffries noted there were existing homes near this address which were closer to the road than the proposed barn would be.

 

The five factors were reviewed:  There would be no undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood; benefit sought could not be achieved by another method; variance requested would be substantial; there would be no adverse impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood; difficulty was self-created.

 

Roll Vote:  Eligh – yes; Frey – yes; Rosati – yes; Santovito – absent; Jeffries – yes.  Therefore, these variances are granted.

 

Z-02-16 – Staples – 1146 Route 31 – Area Variance – Sections 135-189-E, 190-B & C – Number, size & extension for building-mounted signs – A motion was made by Brian Frey, seconded by Carl Eligh, to grant these variances as presented in the application.

 

The Board noted that the applicant is in a highly commercial area; placing signs on each side of the building is a reasonable request to increase visibility from Route 31; similar variances have been granted for other businesses.

 

The five factors were reviewed:  There would be no undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood; benefit sought could not be achieved by another method; variance sought was not extraordinary; there would be no adverse impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood; difficulty was self-created.

 

Roll Vote:  Eligh – yes; Frey – yes; Rosati – yes; Santovito – absent; Jeffries – yes.  Therefore, these variances are granted.

 

MINUTES:

 

A motion to approve the 09-16-15 minutes was made by Carl Eligh, seconded by Tony Rosati.  All in favor (Santovito absent); minutes approved.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Brian Frey, seconded by Carl Eligh.  All in favor (Santovito absent); meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Susan Bush

Clerk to the Board