1984-03-21
c177
Regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town
of Queensbury was called to order by the Chairman at 7:30 P.M.
Wednesday March 21, 1984.
Present: Mrs. Goetz, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Turner, Chairman Cornwell,
Mr. Sicard, Mr. Muller and Mr. Mills.
Because the members did not have sufficient time to check the
minutes approval was put over for the next monthly meeting.
Motion by Mrs. Goetz, seconded by Mr. Griffin, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the February meeting will be
approved at the April meeting.
Approved.
Interpretation No. 26 - Neil Fitzgerald.
Mr. Fitzgerald has expressed concern regarding the status
of the "grandfathering" of property owned by George Stiles,
that being operated as a sand and gravel operation.
Motion by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Muller, it was
RESOLVED THAT the Zoning Board of Appeals hearby accepts
the interpretation of the Zoning Administrator regarding the
George Stiles property.
Yes: Mrs. Goetz, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Turner, Mr. Cornwell,
Mr. Muller, Mr. Mills
No: None
Abstain: Mr. Sicard
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 893 - Sign Variance - Boats by George, Inc.
West side Route 9 North of Route 149
Represented by Donald Pensel.
Chairman opened the public hearing-
Mr. George Stark, owner of Mohican Motel expressed concern
about the size of sign as to whether or not it would hide
his new pool addition.
Chairman asked Mr. pensel whether the sign would be on the
north side or south side with Mr. pensel answering north side
Question asked of Mr. pensel if there was a problem with the
south side and he said the problem was the sharing of a drive-
way.
Mr. Joseph Waren, owner of the property on the south side felt
that the size is larger than what is needed.
~1K
Page 2
Public Hearing closed.
Queensbury Town Planning Board and Warren County Planning
Board both recommended approval.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Mills, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED that the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals hereby
approves Variance No. 893 for a 16 sq. ft. sign 4 x 4.
Before the vote was taken discussion among board members
resulted in the following amended resolution:
RESOLVED that the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals hereby
approves Variance No. 893 for a 16 sq. ft. sign 4 x 4 with
15' set back on north side of property line and not to exceed
10' over all in height and will be a free standing sign.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 894 - William P. Hunt
Cleverdale Road
Mr. Hunt would like to construct a single-family dwelling on
a lot less than required one acre in a Lakeshore Residential
Zone.
Public Hearing opened.
L. E. Clover, Cleverdale Road, was concerned where the property
was.
John Bullard, Cleverdale also concerned where it was located.
General feeling was that it is one of the areas that was owned
by Howard Mason.
Mr. Hunt said that this is a lot of record.
Question asked if the land went to the lake, representative
from the Building Department said that there is 11' of lake
front involved here. He added that the lot is on the tax maps.
Mr. Griffin then asked if the only problem here is that the
lot is under the 1 acre.
Building Department representative said that it can meet all
the set back requirements.
After more discussion it was decided that this variance would
be tabled for more information.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Turner, all voting
affirmatively
~71
'--
Page 3
RESOLVED THAT Variance No. 894 be tabled for more information.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 895 - Dunkin Donuts - Sign Variance
Jerry Conklin represented applicant.
Mrs. Goetz asked if the sign in question was in place now.
Mr. Conklin said it was. It was to replace the one that was
tQ~~~place the one already there.
! "j '... <~
Chairman noted that there was no problem with the size of the
sign, the height is to be considered.
Mr. Conklin interjected that the area where the establishment
is located needs this for identification.
Public Hearing opened.
Jorris and Joe Aronson felt that no variance should be permitted.
Public Hearing Closed.
Queensbury Town Planning Board took no action.
Warren County Planning Board recommended denial.
At this point the Chåirman explained that in order to over-
turn the County this Board has to have a vote of the majority
plus one.
Motion by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Sicard, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT the Zoning Board of Appeals denies Variance
No. 895 as no practical difficulty has been shown and there
would be an adverse effect on the neighborhood and the sign
must conform in 30 days.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 896 - Charles Bleibtrey,Jr.
To construct a single family dwelling on a lot less than the
required osetbacks.
Chairman asked if there has ever been a house built on this
lot, Mr. Bleibtrey said no.
Mr. Griffin asked if test ¡borings have been completed.
Mr. Bleibtrey said some.
Public Hearing Opened.
Billy Sue Owen, Lake George Association expressed concern
that the APA approval should be obtained.
Chairman then noted that maybe the APA should be heard from.
Public Hearing closed.
Queensbury Town Planning Board recommended approval along
with Warren County.
A letter from Robert J. Bolen, Jr. was read in opposition.
Motion by Mr. Muller, seconded by Mr. Mills, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT Variance No. 896 be granted sUbject to getting
all the other approvals required from other agencies.
Approved.
¿;¿ fð
'--
Page 4
VARIANCE NO. 897 - George R. Pensel-Area Variance
To construct an open work area in front of existing building.
Mr. Mills asked the size of the present present building
and Mr. Pencel said 30 x 50. Mr. Mills then asked the size
of the proposed addition and Mr. Pencel answered 32 x 50.
Mr. Millsthen'åsked the purpose or intent of the addition.
Mr. Pencel answered to display and service boats.
Mr. Mills then asked if consideration as to whether there will
be space to park cars etc. in the area and Mr. Pencel said
he has ·sbme-:area.. -:",.
Mr. Sfuéard asked who owns the lot directly to the rear of the
building and Mr. Pencel answered it was recently purchased
by the Log Jam.
Public hearing was opened and then closed.
Warren County Planning Board recommended approval with only
one row of boats being parked on the west side of the property.
Mr. Mills asked Mr. Pencel if he was at the County Planning
Board meeting Mr. Pencel said he was. Mr. Mills then asked
Mr. Pencel if he agreed and he said he did
Motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Sicard all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT the Zoning Board of Appeals approves Variance
No. 897 asking that parking be on the west side of the area.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 898 - Hot an Cold Food Systems, Inc.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Mills, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED that the Zoning Board of Appeals approves Variance
No. 898 in that it reinstitutes Variance No. 804 for all
the same reasons.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 899 - Glens Falls City School District -
to replace a sbhood bus garage previously destroyed by fire.
Represented by Joseph Collura.
Mr. Collura stated that the school-would like to enlarge the
building to keep all the equipment inside. There would then
be none stored outside the building as it had been.
Mr. Turner asked what the height would be and Mr. Collura
said it would be 14'.
Mr. Sicard asked if any effort had been taken to find another
location perhaps in the City.
Mr. Cogov;an::.answered that research on this had been done.
Mr. Griffin interjected that this is a residential area and
he wasn't sure if the board could go along with expansion.
Public Hearing opened.
Mrs. Pierce a resident of Glenwood Ave. explained why she
was opposed to the building of a new building at all.
Mr. John Slovick, owner of property to one side had no objection.
He felt it would be better to have everything stored inside.
d. 3/
Page 5
Public Hearing closed.
Town and County Planning Boards recommended approval.
The question was asked if any landscaping was being planned.
Mr. Collura explained that there are now heavy trees in the
area.
Motion by Mrs. Goetz, seconded by Mr. Griffin, it was
RESOLVED that the Zoning Board of Appeals approves Variance
No. 899 as it is a continuation of a nonconforming use. The
proposal makes the affect on the neighborhood less non-
conforming and the School is to work with the Queensbury
Beautification Committee.
Yes - Mrs. Goetz, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Turner, Chairman Cornwell,
Mr. Muller and Mr. Mills
Abstain - Mr. Sicard.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO 900 - Smith's Equipment -
Construct a building for storage of lawn and garden equipment
at existing business.
Chairman asked if this area would be blacktop or gravel.
Mr. Smith said it is gravel and nothing would be left out at
night.
Mr. Turner asked if this would be for display also and Mr.
Smith said yes.
Public hearing opened and then closed.
Town Planning Board and Warren County Planning Board recommended
approval.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Griffin, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT the Zoning Board of Appeals approves Variance
No. 900 as it will improve the visual impact on the residential
neighborhood.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 901 - Wayne Pelak
Construct a detached garage with an apartment for a family
member in single family residential zone.
Chairman asked if this would be all the same family or renters.
Mr. Pelak said it was for his father.
Attorney James Davies explained that it would basically be
easier on Mr. Pelak's family if it were allowed as he has 3
children and that Mr. Pelak would go with any restrictions that
this board would put on him.
Chairman asked if there would be access from one building to
the other, Mr. Pelak said no.
Mr. Turner asked what would be provided in this building.
Mr. Pelak said electrical service and plumbing facilities.
Public hearing opened.
Vincent Ritarto - 3 Dorset Place, opposed as it would be
detrimentãà.-:. to the neighborhood.
Albert & Helen Randall, also opposed.
~g;¿
Page 6
--
David Viele - 5 Dorset also opposed.
Mr. Becker, opposed - stated that he purchased his property
because of the residential restrictions.
Michael McCabe - opposed - an apartment would make it a
multiple dwelling in a single family area.
Jay Agranov - 6 Dorsett stated basically the same objections.
as did Joanne Smith of 4 Dorset.
Mr. MahiliDn Farman value of houses in the area.
Mr. Mills saidThat we must address the question of hardship
since this is important, it has to be determined.
The Queensbury Planning Board recommended disapproval.
Motion by Mr. Mills, seconded by Mrs. Goetz ,;:-atl voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED that the Zonning Board of Appeals deny V~riance
No. 901 based on the fact that all the dwellings are single
family dwellings as designed in the ordinance and following
the criteria, use of area, hardship and reasonable use of
the land and where financial return cannot be gained.
VARIANCE NO. 902 - Daniel and George Drellos
Establish a mobile home park in a light industrial area zone.
Attorney Michael O'C~~~or was present and represented the
Drellos family. Mr. O'Connor explained the original plan
which was for 70 units but now it has increased to 84.
This area is west of the Northway and east of the Mandigo
salvage operation. This will be basically the same as what
is at the Homestead Trailer Park. Mr. O'Connor then intro-
duced Mr. Harwood Beatty who is a licensed real estate
broker in the area.
Mr. Beatty gave his qualifications and experience as an
appraiser and a real estate broker. He explained, in his
opinion, why the area in question could not be light in-
dustrial which was mainly access to and from a major high-
way for vehicles. He felt that a mobile home park would fit
into the area in question because of others in the area.
Mr. O'Connor asked him if he felt a mobile home park would be
detrimental to the area and he answered no.
The chairman asked if he knew the estimated number of
children that would be added to the Queensbury school system.
Mr. Beatty gave no definite answer.
Attorney David B. Krogmann represented opposing neighbors
in the area which amounted to approximately 80 land owners.
He mentioned the pond or lake which could cause problems with
children. He presented the board with a list of signatures
of those opposed to this variance.
The fact that there is nothing in the zoning ordinance as it
stands now as far as mobile homes was explained. Then he
J. f3
Page 7
mentioned that the area is a "candidate for rezoning".
--
Mrs. Goetz questioned traffic to AMG. Mr. O'Connor mentioned
that it has to go through a residential area.
Public hearing opened.
Mr. Roland Mandigo, owner of property next to what is before
you tonight for a variance. He said he was opposed because
there are enough proplems in the area now with the mobile park
that is there now, with the kids, vandalism and the traffic
there currently is now on the Luzerne Road and numerous fires
in the trailer court.
Rodney Dill, resident across the road from the proposed park,
opposed.
Mr. Muller asked what in particular is offensive.
Mr. Dill said the substandard housing and increased population.
Mrs. Marie Trombley, resident of the area was concerned about
the increase of children and the park will have a negative
impact and cause home values to decrease.
Thomas Harrington, Maine Avenue - against variance.
Will Trombley, Connèct±cut Avenue - opposed.
James Lockhart, New Hampshire Ave. - opposed
Louise Flemming, Maine Ave. - opposed
Mrs. Smith, Vermont Ave. - opposed.
Mr. Griffin questioned the essential character of the neighborhood
and how it would be altered if approved.
Mr. Krogmann added that with all respect to Mr. Beatty, he
dosen't think there is proof here that this couldn't be
used as zoned, light industrial.
Mr. O'Connor requested that this matter be tabled at this
time in order for him to submit further data.
Mr. Krogmann opposed the~,Í'equèst ta";table.
Motion by Mrs. Goetz, seconded by Mr. Muller, it was
RESOLVED THAT Variance No. 902 be tabled for one month.
Yes,-Mrs. Goetz, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Turner, Mr. Muller
No- Chairman Cornwell, Mr. Sicard and Mr. Mills
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 903 - Lake George Boat Company
represented by Mr. Salerno -
Enlarge shop destroyed by fire with less than required side
setback.
J ?'f
Page 8
Chairman remined Mr. Salerno that this was pre-existing non
conforming use and that he was perfectly free to build a
building the same size.
Mr. Salerno mentioned that the expansion is not designed to
increase the business at all.
L. E. Clover, Cleverdale expressed feelings that any re-
placement should meet the requirements as far as the set
back of the property.
A letter from Mrs. VanPatten stated that an enlargement of
the building should not be granted.
Public Hearing closed.
Town Planning Board recommended approval along with Warren
County.
Motion by Mrs. Goetz, seconded by Mr. Sicard, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT the Zoning Board of Appeals approves Variance
No. 90) with no less than 5' set back, it is continuing the
same use and it will not alter the essential character of
the neighborhood.
Approved.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Mills, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT THE MEETING ADJOURN.
~ç~ø~
v