05-30-2019
(Queensbury ZBA Meeting 05/30/2019)
QUEENSBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
SECOND REGULAR MEETING
MAY 30, 2019
INDEX
Sign Variance Z-SV-4-2019 Columbia Development 1.
Tax Map No. 309.14-1-5
Area Variance No. 21-2019 Michael & Susan Tartaglione 8.
Tax Map No. 308.7-1-32
THESE ARE NOT OFFICIALLY ADOPTED MINUTES AND ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD AND
STAFF REVISIONS. REVISIONS WILL APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING MONTH’S
MINUTES (IF ANY) AND WILL STATE SUCH APPROVAL OF SAID MINUTES.
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QUEENSBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
SECOND REGULAR MEETING
MAY 30, 2019
7:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
HARRISON FREER, CHAIRMAN
MICHAEL MC CABE. VICE CHAIRMAN
ROY URRICO, SECRETARY
MICHELLE HAYWARD
JOHN HENKEL
JAMES UNDERWOOD
CATHERINE HAMLIN, ALTERNATE
MEMBERS ABSENT
RONALD KUHL
LAND USE PLANNER-LAURA MOORE
MR. FREER-Welcome to the Zoning Board of Appeals. For those who haven’t been here
before, the process is pretty simple. There are documents on the back table to give you
information on what we’re going to talk about in each application. We’ll call each applicant
to the table. I believe we have two public hearings open for both applications. Is that
correct?
MRS. MOORE-Yes.
MR. FREER-And then if there’s somebody here to speak on the public hearing we’ll ask them
to come up. We’ll poll the Board and make the applicable motions and then go on to the next
application. So Cathy, since we’re short, you’re on Board.
MRS. HAMLIN-Okay.
MR. FREER-Okay. So we have our seven and the first one is. Are we going to do the
Freihofer?
MRS. MOORE-You’ve completed Freihofer. The first one is Columbia Development.
MR. FREER-Okay. Columbia Development, Sign Variance 4-2019.
OLD BUSINESS:
SIGN VARIANCE Z-SV-4-2019 SEQRA TYPE II COLUMBIA DEVELOPMENT AGENT(S)
GAVIN VUILLAUME, EDP OWNER(S) THE SARATOGA HOSPITAL ZONING CI-18
LOCATION 124 MAIN STREET APPLICANT PROPOSES CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW
17,700 SQ. FT. MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING AND TO INSTALL A 70 SQ. FT.
FREESTANDING SIGN TO BE LOCATED LESS THAN 15 FT. FROM THE PROPERTY LINE.
PROJECT INCLUDES INSTALLATION OF TWO WALL SIGNS AT 68 SQ. FT. TO BE
INTERNALLY LIT. RELIEF REQUESTED FROM MAXIMUM SIGN SIZE AND MINIMUM
SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FREESTANDING SIGN. ALSO, RELIEF
REQUESTED FOR THE TWO WALL SIGNS EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE
SIGN SIZE OF 30 FT. CROSS REF Z-AV-17-2019; SP 19-2019; AV 11-1990; SP 18-1990;
DISC 4-2018 WARREN COUNTY PLANNING APRIL 2019 LOT SIZE 1.04 ACRES TAX
MAP NO. 309.14-1-5 SECTION CHAPTER 140
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GAVIN VUILLAUME & KEVIN RONAYNE, REPRESENTING APPLICANT, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Sign Variance Z-SV-4-2019, Columbia Development, Meeting Date: April
24, 2019 “Project Location: 124 Main Street Description of Proposed Project: Applicant
proposes construction of a new 17,700 sq. ft. medical office building and to install a 57 sq.
ft. freestanding sign revised from 70 sq. ft. freestanding sign to be located less than 15 ft.
from the property line. Project includes installation of two wall signs at 60 sq. ft. to be
internally lit. Relief requested from maximum sign size and minimum setback requirements
for the freestanding sign. Also, relief requested for the two wall signs exceeding the
maximum allowable sign size of 30 sq. ft.
Relief Required:
Chapter 140-Signs
The applicant proposes a free standing sign that has been revised from 70 sq. ft. and now
proposed 57 sq. ft. where the maximum allowed is 45 sq. ft. The free standing sign is to be
located 2ft from Main St and Big Boom Rd where a 15 ft. setback is required. The two wall
signs are proposed to remain at the proposed 60 sq. ft. each where the maximum allowed is
30 sq. ft. Noting the color scheme has been updated from a neutral color to a red, blue and
white scheme.
Criteria for considering a Sign Variance according to Chapter 267 of Town Law:
In making a determination, the board shall consider:
1. Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood
or a detriment to nearby properties will be created by the granting of this sign variance.
There is minimal change to the neighborhood as the signs are to match the scale of the
two story building.
2. Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method, feasible
for the applicant to pursue, other than a sign variance. Feasible alternatives may be
considered to reduce the size of each of the signs to be compliant.
3. Whether the requested sign variance is substantial. Relief requested for the free
standing setback is 13 ft. for both road setbacks and 13 sq. ft. in excess. The relief
requested for the wall signs is 30 sq. ft. in excess for each sign.
4. Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district. The proposed sign variances
may have minimal impact on the environmental conditions of the neighborhood.
5. Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created. The difficulty may be considered self-
created.
Staff comments:
The applicant proposal has revised the size of the free standing sign reduced to 57 sq. ft.
The two wall signs are proposed to remain the same at 60 sq. ft. size on the side of the
building. The applicant has updated the color scheme removing the neutral theme to include
a red, white and blue. The plans show location of the sign and the parcel configuration in
that area. The wall signs are to be located at the Main Street side of the building and the
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rear of the building that has views from the Northway. The plans show the location of each
of the signs and the typical wording for each sign.”
MR. FREER-Okay. Good evening. Welcome back.
MR. VUILLAUME-Good evening. Gavin Vuillaume with Environmental Design representing
Columbia Development. I’m here this evening with Kevin Ronayne from Saratoga Hospital.
I’ll start off by thanking the Board for granting the variances that we needed for the
building. We talked about that building at the last Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Since
that meeting we have researched several other similar sites in Town and we’ve also received
our final approval from the Planning Board for the construction of the project. So the only
thing remaining, as you remember from our last meeting, we tabled the signage because we
wanted to kind of maybe get this more in line with some of the other medical buildings in
Town. We’ve looked at the Hudson Headwaters project, which I know was recently
constructed, and for their, they have several, I believe, freestanding signs, varying in sizes.
We feel that our sign is pretty in between some of the ones that they’ve proposed. We did
reduce it from 70 square feet down to 57 and we’re very comfortable with that square
footage. We also still need, however, the variances for the location of the sign. Just to
remind everyone, so here’s Main Street, Big Boom, and the signage would be right at the
corner there. This week I met with the Highway Superintendent, David Duell, and he
basically gave me the go ahead with all the sidewalk and curbing work that we’re doing in
that area. The utilities, as I think I explained the last time, is kind of critical because
there’s a water line that kind of gets close to the building that needs to be re-located. So
we have a very small footprint for the location of the sign. You obviously don’t want to get
it too close to the intersection and there really is no place for it along the front of the
building. So we feel that the positioning and the size of the freestanding sign is adequate
for the site constraints and for the project itself. Moving on to the building signage, we
obviously have made some modifications to that signage. The square footage is still the
same. We think that it is proportional with the building. Obviously it’s very important for
I think the people driving by to be able to notice the sign, specifically since we are an urgent
care facility. If you want to go to one of those building elevations we can kind of quickly
look at that, and getting to that, again, as people come off the Northway they don’t have a
lot of time to get into our site, especially approaching from the west. From the east it’s
not so bad, but from the west end and especially the Northway they’ve got to kind of get
quick glimpse of our building and where we’re located. As the people that are in need of
healthcare access that intersection it’s important to see the two signs. This is the sign
that would be more visible as someone would get off the Northway and the Main Street
elevation shows the signage as someone would be able to visualize it as they’re coming off
the, I guess it would be the western side of Main Street. So, you know, again, we looked at
some other projects, and again they vary, recent projects. The Holiday Inn has a fairly
substantial sign. We’re way below the square footage of that sign, but again, we feel that,
there’s a good picture of it, with the couple of little notices. So you can see the sign isn’t
very large in comparison to the overall building. So again, we’re just here to kind of request
these couple of variances for the signs and that would complete our Town review, at this
point, for the project.
MR. FREER-Good. Thank you. Any questions from the Board? Seeing none, we have a
public hearing scheduled. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to make comment
about this application? Seeing no one, Roy, do we have any written comment?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
MR. URRICO-There’s no written comment.
MR. FREER-Okay. With that, I’m going to close the public hearing and poll the Board.
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PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. FREER-And we’ll start with John.
MR. HENKEL-Yes, I think the freestanding sign, definitely there’s not many locations you
could put that. I agree with the size. I still have a little problem with the size of the sign
in the back. I know you’ve done a good job of downsizing but the sign in front definitely I
agree with. I’m still having a little trouble with the sign in the back being that size because
once you’re in that parking lot that’s the only building that’s there. So I’m kind of on the
fence with that.
MR. FREER-Okay.
MR. HENKEL-No pun intended.
MR. FREER-Mike?
MR. MC CABE-I have no problem with it. I understand why the freestanding sign has to be
where it is. So I’ll go along with that. They obviously took a look at Hudson Headwaters
and they’re right. There’s several signs there. I just want it to be fair since they’re only
a mile down the road, and make sure that, you know, we.
MRS. MOORE-So just to clarify that, their signs are compliant. There were no Sign
Variances granted for them.
MR. MC CABE-They came to us for them. What happened?
MRS. MOORE-They withdrew that.
MR. VUILLAUME-I thought I saw, in looking at the research, that their main sign on the
main street was actually 60 square feet and their sign on Carey Road was 40.
MRS. MOORE-Well, different from that, they had a recent sign proposal to us that was, so
the signs that you’re talking about may have been previous, but they had a whole sign package
that I think the Board is talking about that was on all the buildings. They had directional
signs. They were also larger than what was allowed, and so they changed their entire sign
package to be compliant. So all their building signage and the directional signage were
compliant signs.
MR. VUILLAUME-Yes, the building for sure. They just have the logo in several locations on
the building.
MR. MC CABE-So anyway, I don’t think that, just looking at it, and again, in proportion to
the building and property, I don’t think that they’re out of line. So I will go along with this
project.
MR. FREER-Thanks, Mike. Roy?
MR. URRICO-Yes, first of all I don’t think it’s an apples to apples comparison with Hudson
Headwaters anyway because they have a clear line of sight from both directions, east and
west. Whereas this one does not, coming from the west. If you’re coming off the
Northway, you’re coming west. You have to contend with the overpass from the Northway.
So I don’t think that’s a fair comparison, but at any rate I’m in favor of the application,
signs.
MR. FREER-Thanks, Roy. Cathy?
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MRS. HAMLIN-I’m happy with the placement of the freestanding sign. I think it’s an
extremely generous variance that you’re asking for, but I think also apples to oranges there’s
a much bigger setback with the Hudson Headwaters, where the cut off is on that, but yes
that whole configuration with the overpass, I could go along with this.
MR. FREER-Okay. Thank you. Jim?
MR. UNDERWOOD-Yes, as far as the wall signs, I think they pointed out the fact that
commercial hotels have bigger signs than what they’re proposing here and because it’s an
urgent care center and it needs to be identified, I think it makes sense to have it be a little
bit larger so it’s very apparent, not something that you might not see if you weren’t paying
attention. As far as the monument sign goes, I think it’s the only logical place to put the
signs. The setbacks don’t really seem to be an issue. You’re not going to block sight view if
you’re turning left or anything from that intersection. It’s all well controlled to begin with.
MR. FREER-Okay. Michelle?
MRS. HAYWARD-I’m in favor. I appreciate the fact that you decreased the size of the
monument sign.
MR. FREER-I, too, can support this application. So I think the next step is we have to do a
SEQR.
MOTION REGARDING SIGN VARIANCE NO. 4-2019 COLUMBIA DEVELOPMENT BASED
UPON THE INFORMATION AND THE ANALYSIS OF THE ABOVE SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT, THIS BOARD FINDS THAT THIS
WILL NOT RESULT IN ANY SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. SO,
WE GIVE IT A NEGATIVE DECLARATION, Introduced by Michael McCabe who moved for
its adoption, seconded by John Henkel:
th
Duly adopted 30 day of May 2019, by the following vote:
MR. HENKEL-Can I just ask a question? I don’t know why they’re associated with Saratoga?
Why is it nothing’s written about Saratoga?
MR. VUILLAUME-So actually the colors of the sign, the monument sign with the white frame
and what we call hospital blue background is very much in line with all of our other campuses
and our signage, and we may yet end up tweaking the actual wording on the signs so that you
may end up seeing that, but we’ve also been.
MR. HENKEL-You’d think that would be like a selling point, if people like Saratoga over a
certain facility you think they would, it would help you.
MR. VUILLAUME-So again the look and design of the sign is very similar to our other
campuses and we’re still tweaking the actual wording that would be the outward display.
MR. HENKEL-Okay. Thanks.
AYES: Mr. Urrico, Mr. Henkel, Mr. McCabe, Mrs. Hamlin, Mr. Underwood, Mrs. Hayward,
Mr. Freer
NONE: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Kuhl
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MR. FREER-Okay. We’ve finished the SEQR piece. Now I’m going to request a motion for
the Sign Variances. We can do them both together or do we have to do them separate?
MRS. MOORE-It’s one application. So it’s just one resolution.
MR. FREER-Who would like to make a motion to approve the Sign Variance?
MR. MC CABE-I’ll make a motion.
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Queensbury has received an application from
Columbia Development for a variance from Chapter 140 of the Sign Code of The Town of
Queensbury. Applicant proposes construction of a new 17,700 sq. ft. medical office building
and to install a 57 sq. ft. freestanding sign revised from 70 sq. ft. freestanding sign to be
located less than 15 ft. from the property line. Project includes installation of two wall signs
at 60 sq. ft. to be internally lit. Relief requested from maximum sign size and minimum
setback requirements for the freestanding sign. Also, relief requested for the two wall
signs exceeding the maximum allowable sign size of 30 sq. ft.
Relief Required:
Chapter 140-Signs
The applicant proposes a freestanding sign that has been revised from 70 sq. ft. and now
proposed 57 sq. ft. where the maximum allowed is 45 sq. ft. The freestanding sign is to be
located 2ft from Main St and Big Boom Rd where a 15 ft. setback is required. The two wall
signs are proposed to remain at the proposed 60 sq. ft. each where the maximum allowed is
30 sq. ft. Noting the color scheme has been updated from a neutral color to a red, blue and
white scheme.
SEQR Type: Unlisted \[Resolution / Action Required for SEQR\]
Motion regarding Sign Variance No. 4-2019 Columbia Development based upon the
information and the analysis of the above supporting documentation provided by the
applicant, this Board finds that this will not result in any significant adverse environmental
impact. So, we give it a Negative Declaration, Introduced by Michael McCabe who moved
for its adoption, seconded by John Henkel;
th
Duly adopted 30 day of May 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Urrico, Mr. Henkel, Mr. McCabe, Mrs. Hamlin, Mr. Underwood, Mrs. Hayward,
Mr. Freer
NONE: None
ABSENT: Mr. Kuhl
A public hearing was advertised and held on Thursday, May 30, 2019;
Upon review of the application materials, information supplied during the public hearing, and
upon consideration of the criteria specified in Section 179-14-080(A) of the Queensbury
Town Code and Chapter 267 of NYS Town Law and after discussion and deliberation, we find
as follows:
1. Will an undesirable change be produced in the character of the neighborhood or will a
detriment to the nearby properties be created by the granting of the requested sign
variance? We find that there will not be an undesirable change in the character of the
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neighborhood nor a detriment to the nearby properties. Signs are common in this area
here and none of these signs are gross or beyond our normal expectations.
2. Can the benefit sought by the applicant be achieved by some method, feasible for the
applicant to pursue, other than a sign variance? Not really, we have seen how this is a
fairly tight area and so what has been designed here is about as good as we can get.
3. Is the requested sign variance substantial? We don’t think so at all. We think, it’s, at
worst, moderate.
4. Will the proposed sign variance have an adverse impact on the physical or environmental
conditions in the neighborhood or district? We feel not; it’s in line with other signs in
the area.
5. Is the alleged difficulty self-created? Of course it is self-created.
6. In addition the Board finds that the benefit to the applicant from granting the
requested variance would outweigh the resulting detriment to the health, safety and
welfare of the neighborhood or community;
7. The Board also finds that the variance request under consideration is the minimum
necessary;
BASED ON THE ABOVE FINDINGS I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE SIGN VARIANCE
NO. 4-2019 COLUMBIA DEVELOPMENT, Introduced by Michael McCabe, who moved for its
adoption, seconded by James Underwood
As per the resolution prepared by staff with the following:
A. The variance approval is valid for one (1) year from the date of approval; you may
request an extension of approval before the one (1) year time frame expires;
B. If the property is located within the Adirondack Park, the approved variance is
subject to review by the Adirondack Park Agency (APA). The applicant is cautioned
against taking any action until the APA’s review is completed;
C. Final approved plans in compliance with an approved variance must be submitted to
the Community Development Department before any further review by the Zoning
Administrator or Building & codes personnel’
D. Subsequent issuance of further permits, including sign permits are dependent on
receipt of these final plans;
E. Upon approval of the application; review and approval of final plans by the Community
Development Department the applicant can apply for a sign permit unless the
proposed project requires review, approval, or permit from the Town Planning Board
and/or the Adirondack Park Agency, Lake George Park Commission or other State
agency or department.
th day
Duly adopted this 30 of May 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Henkel, Mr. McCabe, Mrs. Hamlin, Mr. Underwood, Mrs. Hayward, Mr. Urrico,
Mr. Freer
NOES: NONE
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MR. FREER-Okay. Good luck. When are you going to start demolition?
MR. RONAYNE-Soon.
MR. FREER-Good luck.
MR. RONAYNE-Thank you very much.
MR. FREER-Okay. The next application is Michael & Susan Tartaglione, Area Variance 21-
2019.
NEW BUSINESS:
AREA VARIANCE NO. 21-2019 SEQRA TYPE II MICHAEL & SUSAN TARTAGLIONE
OWNER(S) MSLL DEVELOPMENT ZONING SR-1A AT TIME OF SUBD. APPROVAL
LOCATION 41 WESTBERRY WAY – PINE RIDGE ESTATES APPLICANTS PROPOSE
PLACEMENT OF A 168 SQ. FT. SHED ON THEIR PARCEL. RELIEF REQUESTED FROM
MINIMUM SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SR-1A ZONING DISTRICT AT THE
TIME OF PINE RIDGE ESTATES. CROSS REF SB 7-2003 WARREN COUNTY
PLANNING N/A LOT SIZE 0.57 ACRES TAX MAP NO. 308.7-1-32 SECTION 179-
5-020
MICHAEL TARTAGLIONE, PRESENT
STAFF INPUT
Notes from Staff, Area Variance No. 21-2019, Michael & Susan Tartaglione, Meeting Date:
May 30, 2019 “Project Location: 41 Westberry Way Description of Proposed Project:
Applicants proposes placement of a 168 sq. ft. shed on their parcel. Relief requested from
minimum setback requirements for the SR-1A zoning district at the time Pine Ridge Estates.
Relief Required:
The applicant requests relief from minimum setback requirements for the SR-1A zoning
district at the time Pine Ridge Estates for placement of a shed on the property. The parcel
is currently zoned MDR however the zoning setback of SR-1A were established with Pine
Ridge Estates subdivision of 2003.
Section 179-3-040 Dimensional Requirements
The applicant proposes the 168 sq. ft. shed to be located 5 ft. from the side property line
where a 10 ft. setback is required.
Criteria for considering an Area Variance according to Chapter 267 of Town Law:
In making a determination, the board shall consider:
1. Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood
or a detriment to nearby properties will be created by the granting of this area variance.
Minor to no impacts to the neighborhood may be anticipated.
2. Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method, feasible
for the applicant to pursue, other than an area variance. Feasible alternatives appear
due to the exterior utilities of the home and the orientation of the shed on the lot.
3. Whether the requested area variance is substantial. The relief requested may be
considered moderate relevant to the code. Relief is requested for side setback of 5 ft.
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4. Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district. Minor impacts on the physical
or environmental conditions in the neighborhood may be anticipated.
5. Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created. The difficulty may be considered self-
created.
Staff comments:
The applicant proposes to place a shed on the property that does not meet the setbacks.
The applicant has indicated the shed location is due to the location of the driveway and the
electric power. The plans show the shed that is typical to the one they are purchasing. The
shed is to match the color of the existing home and door width will be less than 6 ft. in
width.”
MR. FREER-Okay. Welcome. Please identify yourself and add anything you’d like.
MR. TARTAGLIONE-Mike Tartaglione. There are two doors. One is less than six feet.
One is a pass through door. That’s the one facing towards the front of the property.
MR. FREER-Okay. We have a public hearing scheduled for this application. Is there anyone
in the audience who’d like to make a comment about this application? Seeing no one, all we
have is the high school kids getting their civics credit, Roy, is there any written comment?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
MR. URRICO-No, there’s no written comment.
MR. FREER-Okay. So what I’m going to do is close the public hearing and poll the Board.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
MR. FREER-I’m sorry, before I do that, does the Board have any questions? Okay. I’m
going to close the public hearing and poll the Board and start with Mike.
MR. MC CABE-Yes, I don’t have any problem with the location. I can understand where
things are tight there and five feet, we’ve certainly done worse than this. So I would go
along with project.
MR. FREER-Roy?
MR. URRICO-Yes, it sounds like a big variance but it really is not. I’m aware of the situation
through his explanation. I’m in favor of the project.
MR. FREER-Thank you. Cathy?
MRS. HAMLIN-If I could just ask one question. Is it just because of the outlet that you’re
not considering the other side?
MR. TARTAGLIONE-Not just so much just the outlet, but the outlet would come into play,
with snow blowing it’s electric start. The outlet is right across from it, to be able to plug
in. The way the shed is set up, I forgot to mention, there is a front door which is facing
the front and it would be easy access to the driveway with the snow blower. The side one
is for the lawn tractor which without the relief from the 10 foot setback would make it a
tight turn to try to get my lawn tractor out in between the house and the shed.
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MRS. HAMLIN-Well it sounds like you thought it through. This is the only really logical
location.
MR. TARTAGLIONE-And it was picked out.
MRS. HAMLIN-You’re narrow. I went and looked.
MR. TARTAGLIONE-Yes, it is on that side. On the other side there’s a little bit more room
and that’s far away from the driveway, but the shed itself, my wife somehow found the
exact shed and the exact same color siding of the house, same color trim. That’s why I did
all this with the shed.
MR. FREER-Okay. Jim?
MR. UNDERWOOD-Yes, it wouldn’t make any sense to put it on the other side of the house.
I mean it makes sense to put it where it’s being proposed.
MR. FREER-Okay. Michelle?
MRS. HAYWARD-I’m in agreement as well and it fits in with the character of the
neighborhood.
MR. FREER-Okay. Thanks, Michelle. John?
MR. HENKEL-Yes, I’m on board also with it. No problem.
MR. FREER-I’d like to support this application. It makes sense.
MRS. MOORE-So I have a question. You mentioned that one of the doors may be larger
than six feet? Or less than six feet?
MR. TARTAGLIONE-They’re all less than six feet.
MRS. MOORE-Okay, because we talked about that and I just want to confirm that we’re not
getting beyond what we would consider a second garage versus the shed.
MR. HENKEL-This picture that you showed us for the front, that’s going to be the part
that’s up towards your house. Right?
MR. TARTAGLIONE-Yes.
MR. HENKEL-That’s the one that’s pointing towards the house.
MR. TARTAGLIONE-So the single man door is towards the front, towards the street.
MR. HENKEL-The single door is towards the street. Okay.
MR. TARTAGLIONE-Yes.
MR. HENKEL-Gotcha.
MR. FREER-Okay. I’m ready to close the public hearing.
MRS. MOORE-You already did that.
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MR. FREER-Then we’re ready for somebody to make a motion.
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Queensbury has received an application from
Michael & Susan Tartaglione. Applicants proposes placement of a 168 sq. ft. shed on their
parcel. Relief requested from minimum setback requirements for the SR-1A zoning district
at the time Pine Ridge Estates.
Relief Required:
The applicant requests relief from minimum setback requirements for the SR-1A zoning
district at the time Pine Ridge Estates for placement of a shed on the property. The parcel
is currently zoned MDR however the zoning setback of SR-1A were established with Pine
Ridge Estates subdivision of 2003.
Section 179-3-040 Dimensional Requirements
The applicant proposes the 168 sq. ft. shed to be located 5 ft. from the side property line
where a 10 ft. setback is required.
SEQR Type II – no further review required;
A public hearing was advertised and held on Thursday, May 30, 2019;
Upon review of the application materials, information supplied during the public hearing, and
upon consideration of the criteria specified in Section 179-14-080(A) of the Queensbury
Town Code and Chapter 267 of NYS Town Law and after discussion and deliberation, we find
as follows:
1. There is not an undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood nor a
detriment to nearby properties. The shed will house the necessary implements to
take care of the property.
2. Feasible alternatives have been considered but are not deemed reasonable at this
particular time.
3. The requested variance, although it looks substantial is really not when you consider
that we’re only giving up 5 feet.
4. There is not an adverse impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the
neighborhood or district.
5. The alleged difficulty is, of course, self-created.
6. In addition the Board finds that the benefit to the applicant from granting the
requested variance would outweigh (approval) the resulting detriment to the health,
safety and welfare of the neighborhood or community;
7. The Board also finds that the variance request under consideration is the minimum
necessary;
8. The Board also proposes the following conditions:
a) Adherence to the items outlined in the follow-up letter sent with this resolution.
BASED ON THE ABOVE FINDINGS, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AREA VARIANCE
NO. 21-2019, Michael & Susan Tartaglione, Introduced by Michael McCabe, who moved for
its adoption, seconded by Mrs. Hayward:
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(Queensbury ZBA Meeting 05/30/2019)
th
Duly adopted this 30 day of May 2019 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. McCabe, Mrs. Hamlin, Mr. Underwood, Mrs. Hayward, Mr. Urrico, Mr. Henkel,
Mr. Freer
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: Mr. Kuhl
MR. FREER-Okay. Good luck.
MR. TARTAGLIONE-Okay. Thank you all very much.
MR. FREER-Okay. Before we adjourn, I do want to sort of I guess update the Board on
some feedback I got from the Attorney on our Appeal, and the sense of Mr. Schachner was
that we should have laid out in the actual resolution more of the discussion topics that we
did as we deliberated. So, I just, I bring that up just so we can learn from our mistakes
and see where all this goes, but I think we’ve gotten in the habit of sort of laying out those
criteria in our motions for variances. This was sort of an odd duck and we were sort of
caught about who was going to be here this time and the number of votes and all. We’ll see
where it goes, but I just wanted to give you guys that feedback that for all of us that we
need to focus on putting in the actual motions so that if it goes to court it can be properly
defended.
MR. UNDERWOOD-Yes, I mean I was ready to do a formal one but I felt we were precluded
from doing that. That was my understanding that we’re supposed to be simplified.
MR. FREER-Again, obviously we had some brief discussion about that and I had talked to
Mark previously about what I wanted to do was to sort of get a sense of the Board and then
have us draft and get their help in making sure we dotted all the I’s.
MR. URRICO-Can I ask a question? If this was so important, why wasn’t the attorney here?
MRS. MOORE-There was a process that we were following.
MR. FREER-Yes, he had a conflict.
MR. URRICO-If he’s going to sit there and second guess what we’re doing.
MRS. MOORE-You can always table.
MR. URRICO-We’re entitled to have an attorney here.
MR. FREER-So he spoke to me earlier in the week and he said he had a conflict with last
week and that he could be here this week, and we had already set up that we were going to
have a discussion. My goal of last week was to just figure out, you know, who was
comfortable voting and we kind of got ahead of our, at least Mark and my plan. My bad. I’m
not blaming anybody.
MR. URRICO-No, but you did.
MR. FREER-My mistake, then. Let me take the blame for it, not handling it as well as it
could have been handled.
MR. URRICO-But it was a very difficult case.
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(Queensbury ZBA Meeting 05/30/2019)
MR. FREER-It was.
MR. URRICO-It had all of the nuances, plus we had a split group voting on it. So I think
maybe in retrospect we should have postponed it if the attorney couldn’t be here.
MR. FREER-Again there were a couple of things that we could have done differently. I just
wanted to pass along feedback from the attorney about the situation, not, and I used the
term mistake more geared at me for not, you know, doing it as well as we could, but again,
this was an unusual one and I just want everybody to be aware that the feedback from the
attorney was that we needed to put more meat in the motion and I think we do a good job
on that with the variances. This was definitely an unusual case and Mark had a conflict last
week. And Craig obviously wasn’t forceful in suggesting that we needed meat. He was more
inclined to just say keep it a little cleaner. So anyway. That’s all I wanted to say.
MRS. HAMLIN-I’m sorry I wasn’t here, but I read your minutes and, I mean, if a court is
going to look at that, I mean you deliberated all the points. It is in the minutes. They’re
not apt to supplant their judgment for yours. It should have been.
MR. FREER-Again, in the abundance of caution that the lawyers like us to do, they want some
of that in the actual resolution. Okay. With that I’ll request a motion to adjourn.
MR. MC CABE-I’ll make a motion to adjourn tonight’s meeting.
MR. FREER-Okay. And I’ll second and with no objection we’re adjourned.
MOTION TO ADJOURN THE QUEENSBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF
JUNE 30, 2019, Introduced by Michael McCabe who moved for its adoption, seconded by
Harrison Freer:
th
Duly adopted this 30 day of May, 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Hamlin, Mr. Henkel, Mrs. Hayward, Mr. Urrico, Mr. Underwood, Mr. McCabe,
Mr. Freer
NOES: NONE
On motion meeting was adjourned.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Harrison Freer, Chairman
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