1970-08-19
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MINUTES of the public hearing of the Town of Queensbury
Zoning Board of Appeals held at the Town Office Building on
August IS, 1970, at 7:30 p.m.
There were present:
James Keller
Charles Sicard
George Kurosaka
Allison Ellsworth
being the members of the board, excepting John Fit~gerald
who was absent for this meeting.
George Kurosaka acted as chairman in Mr. Fit~gerald's
absence. On a motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Keller,
the board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the
previous meeting.
Because the Town and County Planning Boards have not
had a quorum for a month, no action could be taken by the
Zoning Board of Appeals at this meeting. All applications
were heard but decisions were reserved until the third
Wednesday in September.
Mr. Kurosaka read proof of publication for Special
Permit #20 to oonsider,
the application for a varianoe
of SUN OIL COMPANY to plaoe a gasoline service station
on the property situated at the corner of Dix Avenue and
Quaker Road in the Town of Queensbury. At that time, there
was no one to represent Sun Oil. It was noted that someone
would appear but would be late.
Mr. Kurosaka went on to the next application, reading
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proof of publication for the variance of LEONARD DUFOUR
requesting to construct a garage with a 20' front setback
instead of 30' required in an R-4 ~one on the property
situated at Sunnyside North, R. D. #1. Town of Queensbury.
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There were no appearances for or against the application.
Mr. Keller questioned Mr. Roy Phillips regarding the
application:
Mr. Keller: How far is the house setback from the road?
Mr. Phillips: 70-75 ft. on a steep bank.
Mr. Keller: Do you feel it would be a practical
difficulty?
Mr. Phillips: He would have to fill in,
Mr. Keller: How much drop?
Mr. Phillips: Must be 20 ft.
Mr. Kurosaka continued with the next reading of proof
of publication for application #171 for a variance of
THOMAS JACOBS. DBA' INSIDE EDGE SKI SHOP to place a free
standing sign with a 15' front setback instead of 50' as
required on the property situated at 253 Bay Road. Town of
Queensbury. (Description of location revealed it was
formerly Nobles Bicycle Shop.)
Mr. Jacobs appeared on his own behalf, saying, "The
neighbors in the area have spoken to me and ~~ they had
no objections to the sign and said they would not be here
this evening."
Mr. Kurosaka: It is a conforming sign except for
the location?
Mr. Sicard: Have you taken over the entire building?
Mr. Keller: \Will the present sign be used?
Mr. Jacobs: No, it will come down.
Mr. Keller: The R.O.W. and edge of the pavement
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are not the same line. What kind of setback are you
requesting?
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Mr. Jacobs: The neighbors are not complaining.
Mr. Keller: It is the ordinance that rules, not the
neighbors. On what grounds are you requesting this variance?
Mr. Jacobs: To put in an attractive, but visible sign.
Mr. Phillips: If it were øet back any farther, it
would be invisible. It would be too far back in his driveway.
I viewed the property. The sign would be just inside the
sidewalk.
There were no objections.
The next item of business was Mr. Kurosaka's reading
proof of publication for application for a variance #172
by EU8ENE J. LUCIA requestinq to convert an existinq barn
into an antique shop in an R.3 zone on the property situated
on Bay Road. Town of Queensbury.
Appearing on his own behalf was Mr. Lucia.
Mr. Kurosaka: I take it you are going to convert
this barn into a building?
Mr. Keller: Just where is this building?
Mr. Lucia: North of the Y camp. I have pictures if
you care to see them.
Mr. Kurosaka: Is it an A frame sign?
Mr. Lucia: It would be a movable sign. I would put
it out in the morning and take it in at night.
There were no other questions from the board.
Marilyn LaFevre and Mrs. Veronica Sweet, Mrs. Blanche
O'Rourke, John Walker and Kirk Kilmer questioned Mr. Lucia
regarding parking and his times for serving the public,
Mr, Lucia stated that he would be open just during
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the summer months and would draw in fill to make a parking
area for 50 cars if requested to do so.
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There were no other appearances.
Mr. Kurosaka read proof of publication for a request
for a variance of RAYMOND J. »OMP requesting to construct
a garage with a 15' front setbaok instead of 30' as required
in an R-l zone on the property situated on the West Lane
right-of-way, Assembly Point, Town of Queensbury.
Mr. Komp, appearing on his own behalf, said, "I have
letters from the people on both sides of me saying they have
no objections."
The letters are as follows:
"I am in favor of the change."
Bert S. Harri~on
Sacandaga Road, R,D. #2
Scotia, New York"
"August 15, 1970
Members of the Board:
Mr. Raymond J. Komp, a resident of Assembly Point, has
petitioned the Town of Queensbury for a zoning variance
regarding the building of a garage on his property.
As Mr. Komp's immediate neighbor to the South, and
knowing the particulars involved, I wish to go on record
as being in agreement with Mr. Komp and his (judgement in
the matter.
Yours truely,
Herbert Fiss
Daniel Jones"
Mr. Kurosaka: What is the distance from the garage
and the side property line?
Mr. Komp: 5 feet.
Mr. Sicard: What is the distance from the property
line and the garage?
Mr. Keller: 15 ft.
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There were no other questions from the board.
Mr. Charles Adamson appeared, not against the application,
but questioned the board saying, "I think there is some
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ambiguity about the way the zoning law is written regarding
the front and back of property~
Mr. Kurosaka read the definition regarding right-of-way.
He said the board considers the R.O.W. or the public access
as the principal R.O.W.
Mr. Keller statech You cannot make a generalization
applying to all p¡aces on the lake. The ordinance covers
everyone in the town, not just the lake. We have to look at
each application and not grant carte blanahe to all lake
property owners."
There was no opposition.
Mr. Kurosaka then read proof of publication for appli-
cation for variance #174 by SARA SPECTOR requesting a 30'
setback (sideyard) instead of a 40' setback as required
in an M-2 zone on the property situated on Lower Warren
Street. Town of Queensburv.
Appearing for the application was Richard Spector.
After the board discussed the application, Mr. Kurosaka
said, "You do not have to get a variance on the buildings
or the lots for sale. It would be easier to make two con-
fo rming lot s . "
There were no other appearances for or against the
application.
Proof of publication was read for application for
variance #175 by EDWARD REITH requesting a side yard setback
of 1.96' instead of the required 5' setback in an R-4
zone on the property situated at 115 Sunnyside North,
R. D. #1, Town of Queensbury.
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Appearing for the application was Thomas J. Angelo,
attorney for Mr. Reith, and Mr. and Mrs. Reith,
Mr. Kurosaka: We granted a variance 2 years ago to
build a house. Survey shows the building is not where it
should be on the lot."
Mr. Kurosaka read the following letter:
"8/10/70
Gentlemen:
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I was granted a variance on 4/11/68 to build a house
on lot #15 of the Ryder estate on Lake Sunnyside.
McCormic and Colter who are legal surveyors did a
recent survey on lot #14. I find in this survey my house
does not agree with my original plot plan. My contractor
made an error and my home sits 1.96" from the line instead
of the required five feet.
I am requestin a variance to leave my home 1.96"
from the line. It would be a great expense to move my
home to meet the five foot requirement. I also feel that
my home will not cause a detriment to my neighborhood due
to the fact that my neighbors homes sit as close or closer
to their property lines then my home does.
Sincerely Yours
Edward Reith"
Mr, Angelo: We have a petition with 27 adjoining
property owners voicing no objection to the request for
a variance. My clients did not intend to ignore the ruling.
It was error alone on the part of the contractor on
erroneous information
received from the Town Clerk's
Office. The actual violation is small. It is approximately
3 ft. on one end and i ft. on the extreme end. All of these
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violations were not intentional on the part of the owners
of the property or the contractor...,It would create extreme
hardship if this variance were not granted. It would make
the property practically unsaleable at a very low discount
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rate. We request the variance in order to clear up the error."
Mr. Keller read the petition. (photocopies of petition
and accompanying exhibits attached.)
Appearing in opposition were Peter Firth, Mr, and Mrs.
Robert Willetts, Amos Carpenter, and Mr. Hanley. There was
considerable discussion regarding the error.
Mr. Richard Cronin, representing Sun Oil Company, now
present.
Mr. Keller: Do you have signature of 6at of adjoining
property owners?
Cronin: Yes. I have copies of the plot plan.
There are no variances involved here.
Mr. Keller brought up the fact that the sign was not
15 ft. away.
Mr. Cronin: We would',have that corrected. We are
not asking for a sing variance. We do not need a variance
on the side or setback of the sign.
Mr. Sicard: Is that a rotating sign, Dick?
Mr. Cronin: No. If it is noted, that is a mistake.
I have for the record Resolution 97 (all property owners
within 300 feet. The only variation is Mr. Gerston's
and he has the authority to sign for Livingston's Furniture.
I have more building plans if you would like to look at
them. We have to consider this as a cmvic improvement.
It is going to add service to a heavily traveled road
and help the tax rolls.
Mr. Sicard: Does Sun Oil own the lot?
Mr. Cronin: It is contingent on the issuance of a
permit.
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The following signatures were submitted for the record:
"I, , being a property owner within 300 feet
of the NWC of Quaker and Dix Avenue, Queensbury, New
York, do not object in any way to the proposed service
station to be construeted by the Sun Oil Company at the
same location.
Charles P. Sullivan
Helen Jane Sullivan
Donald J. Sullivan
Margaret W. Sullivan
Helen B. Sullivan
Robert J, Nolan
Martin Gerston
Richard H. Cronin
Witness
August 14, 1970
Date
There being no other business to come before the meeting,
upon motion duly made, seconded and carried unanimously,
the meeting was adjourned.
Secretary
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I, Charles P. Sullivan, being a property owner within 300
feet of the NWC of Q;t1aker and Dix Avenue, Q;t1eensbury, New
York, do not object in any way to the proposed service
station to be constructed by the Sun Oil Company at the
same location.
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I, Helen Jane Sullivan, being a property owner within 300
feet of the NWC of Quaker and Dix Avenue, Queensbury, New
York, do not object in any way to the proposed service
station to be constructed by the Sun Oil Company at the
same location.
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Date
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I, Donald J. Sullivan, being a property owner within 300
feet of the NWC of Quaker and Dix Avenue, Queensbury, New
York, do not object in any way to the proposed service
station to be constructed by the Sun Oil Company at the
same location.
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Donald Sullivan
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Witness
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Date
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I, Margaret W. Sullivan, being a property owner within 300
feet of the NWC of Q,uaker and Dix Avenue, Qµeensbury, New
York, do not object in any way to the proposed service
station to be constructed by the Sun Oil Company at the
same location.
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M~et W. Sullivan
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I, Helen B. Sullivan, being a property owner within 300 feet
of the NWC of Q;u.aker and Dix Avenue, Q;u.eensbury, New York,
do not object in any way to the proposed service station to
be constructed by the Sun Oil Company at the same location.
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Helen B. Sullivan
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Witness
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I, Robert J. Nolan, being a property owner within 300 feet
of the NWC of Quaker and Dix Avenue, Queensbury, New York,
do not object in any way to the proposed service station to
be constructed by the Sun Oil Company at the same location.
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Robert J Nolan
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I, MARTIN GERSTEN
, being a property owner within 300
feet of the NWC of Q;u.aker and Dix Avenue, Q;u.eensbury, New
York, do not object in any way to the proposed service
station to be constructed by the Sun Oil Company at the same
location.
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