1974-01-16
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MINUTES of the public hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals
held on January 16, 1974, Town of Queensbury, at 7:55 p.m.
There were present:
George Kurosaka, Acting Chairman
Charles Hutton, Secretary
Charles Sicard
Richard Sander spree
being the members of the Board, except John Fitzgerald, Chairman
who was absent for this meeting. On motion duly made by Richard
Sanderspree, seconded by Charles Hutton, the minutes of the December
meeting were approved as read.
OLD BUSINESS: Sperry Trucks, Inc. - Mr. Kurosaka noted
that if a member (in this case, Mr. Sicard who was absent for the
December meeting) has been familiarized with the minutes pertaining
to old business, he could participate in a decision regarding this
old business. Mr. Kurosaka then re-established proof of publication
. for application for variance #335 SPERRY TRUCKS, INC. FOR ENLARGE-
MENT OF STORAGE AND FABRICATION SPACE ON BAY ROAD, TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
Appearing on behalf of the application was Robert Barber who
told the Board he would answer any questions. When queried about
Messrs. Tubbs and Guyette who had appeared in opposition at the
December meeting, Mr. Barber said he had talked with Mr. Tubbs
and the problem has been resolved. A survey had been made the
previous week by Rist-Frost and it has helped Mr. Tubbs' position.
Mr. Barber has not talked with Mr. Guyette. Appearing for further
information was Edward Herlihy, Fort Amherst Road and Mr. Barber
explained the plot plan to Mr. Herlihy. Mr. Sanderspree mentioned
continuity of operation and Mr. Barber said it would be similar.
The previous tenant was doing light assembly; Sperry's will be
heavier. The time lapse was a matter of two weeks. Mr. Sicard
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asked about increased parking and an increase of traffic. Mr.
Kurosaka noted that it would be less non-conforming than the dairy
operation of previous years. Also appearing on behalf of the
request was Dr. Eisenhart who reminded the assemblage of the care
and better appearance of the property.
After executive session, upon motion duly made by Richard
Sanderspree, seconded by Mr. Sicard and carried unanimously, the
Board finds:
Application for variance #335, Sperry Trucks, Inc. for
enlargement of storage and fabrication space is granted.
The Board is of the opinion that such variance is less non-
conforming than the original use. This approval is condi-
tional upon the enlargement of building #1 being limited to
parts storage and building #2 restricted to fabrication of
metal products.
NEW BUSINESS:
Acting chairman George Kurosaka established proof of publication
of application for variance #338 PRICE CHOPPER TO PLACE THE PRICE
CHOPPER DISCOUNT FOODS SIGN ON AN EXISTING PYLON SIGN. THIS SIGN
WOULD BE CLOSER TO THE HIGHWAY THAN THE ORDINANCE ALLOWS AND LARGER
IN SQUARE FOOTAGE THAN THE ORDINANCE ALLOWS. PROPERTY IS SITUATED
AT CLARK's DISCOUNT STORE, UPPER GLEN STREET, TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
Appearing as agent for Price Chopper was Robert Platt who
told the Board a hardship existed in that the Price Chopper building
is very far back from the highway. He presented a sketch of the
proposed change of sign and noted that if it were placed 50 ft.
back from the R.O.W., people could not see if coming from the south.
Mr. Kurosaka asked if they would "swap" space with the present
arrow and Mr. Platt mentioned the new image of Price Chopper and
said Clark's does not want to exchange part of the present sign.
Appearing in opposition was H. Wayne Judge who said the present
sign could not be more non-conforming or uglier than at present....
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that the Zoning Ordinance was intended precisely to prevent these
kinds of signs....that the company had not proven itself to be a
good citizen of the community and that they have done nothing to
improve the area....they have ended with a situation which was
self created. Mary Lou Quinn, a Queensbury resident, concurred
with Mr. Judge.
The Town Planning Board disapproved commenting: we see no
justification for adding an oversized sign to an already non-conforming
sign structure. We would suggest as a a possibility that the
existing non-con forming signs could be changed. Warren County
Planning Board also recommended disapproval.
On motion duly made by Charles Hutton, seconded by Charles
Sicard and carried unanimously,
The Board finds:
Application for variance #338, Price Chopper, be disapproved,
in concurrence with the other Planning Boards. No hardship has
been shown.
Proof of publication was established for application for
variance #339, QUEENS BURY DECORATING CENTER TO PLACE AN ADDITIONAL
SIGN ON AN EXISTING FREE-STANDING SIGN ON THE PROPERTY SITUATED AT
686 UPPER GLEN STREET, TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
Appearing on behalf of the application was William T. Comiskey
who told the board there are numerous signs which exceed the normal
size of a sign on the street where the store is located including
two signs within 50 feet of the store. These signs almost com-
pletely obscure the vision of the present sign. The proposed sign
would total 48 sq. feet and be illuminated. When questioned by
Mr. Sicard about the hours of lighting, Mr. Comiskey said it
was his in,tention to continue lighting the sign at night. Mary
Lou Quinn spoke in favor of the change, saying, "I really think
they could use additional information on a sign."
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There were no other appearances for or against.
The Town Planning Board approved the request commenting:
approval of a sign that would conform to the ordinance as far as
the size, 50 square feet total sign area. Warren County Planning
Board recommended approval.
After discussion in an executive session, the Board voted
after motion duly made and seconded, and finds:
After due consideration by this Board, it is their opinion
that there is no hardship indicated and
Further finds that application No. 339 Queensbury Decorating
Inc. to place an additional sign on a free standing sign less
than the required setback is not granted.
Messrs. Sicard and Sander spree voted against the disapproval
Messrs. Kurosaka and Hutton voted for the disapproval.
Mr. Kurosaka then established proof of publication for
application for variance #340, DONALD HESS TO CHANGE A NON-CONFORMING
USE OF AN EXISTING STOREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR ICE CREAM
AND RETAIL STORE TO A STOREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR ICE
CUBES AND MANUFACTURE ICE CUBES ON THE PROPERTY SITUATED AT THE
CORNER OF DIX AND QUEENSBURY AVENUES.
Appearing on behalf of the applicant was H. Wayne Judge
who explained the background of the present operation and told the
Board òf the present request of Mr. Hess. He said it is a seasonal
operation; a pre-existing non-conforming use; there are several
grounds in the ordinance that could be considered other than
hardship applicable to this request. He noted that if the request
were denied, the Town doesn't have good prospects for anything better
in its place; presently the ice is manufactured in the basement of
Dobert's Dairy.
There would be no retail sãles. It is family
operated except during the summer months. There were no other questions
or appearances.
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The Queensbury Planning Board approved the request commenting:
Recommend approval as this would be a less objectionable use and
would be a reasonable use for the property. Warren County Planning
Board concurred with the Town Board.
On a motion by Charles Sicard, seconded by Richard Sanderspree
and carried unanimously, the Board finds:
1. The Use is less non-conforming than the existing use.
2. It is the reasonable use of the building and land.
3. It is in concurrence with both planning Boards
and further Resolves:
Application for variance #340 be approved.
In the final matter of new business, Acting Chairman Kurosaka
established proof of publication for application for variance #341
PETER DASTALTO AND DANIEL CORENTTO TO CHANGE A NON-CONFORMING
USE FROM TRUCK SALES AND SERVICE TO A FRANCHISE DISTRIBUTOR OF
FOOD AND STORAGE OF PRODUCTS AND TRUCKS ON THE PROPERTY SITUATED
AT THE CORNER OF BOULEVARD AND BELLE AVENUE, TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
Peter Dastalto appeared and explained the proposed operation
to the Board. Mr. Sicard asked about the delivery operation and
Mr. Dastalto said loading and re-loading took place early in the
morning and again between 12N and 1:00 p.m. He said they had 5
trucks stored inside only and 5 or 6 employees cars parked during
the day.
Appearing for information and subsequent approval of the
request were Roy Barlow, Harry Wrye, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Allen,
and Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Krause.
When questioned about signs, Mr. Dastalto said they planned
to paint over the existing sign - advertising Wise Potato Chips.
TheTown Planning Board approved commenting: recommend approval
as this is a less non-conforming use than the present use. Warren
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County Planning Board recommended approval concurring with the Town
Board.
Upon motion duly made by Charles Sicard, seconded by Charles
Hutton and carried unanimously, the Board finds:
1. It is less non-conforming than the previous occupant
2. It is in concurrence with both Planning Boards
and Resolves:
Application for variance #341 Dastalto and Corentto be granted.
There being no further business to come before the Board,
upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at
9:55 p.m.
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