1984-06-20
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Regular monthly meeting of the Queensbury Zoning Board of
Appeals held Wednesday, June 20, 1984 at 7:30 P.M.
Present: Mr. Behr, Mr. Griffin, ~1rs. Goetz, Mr. Turner, Mr.
Sicard and Mr. Muller
Absent: Mr. Mills
The first item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes of
the May, 1984 meeting.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Griffin, all voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the May 16, 1984 meeting are hereby
approved.
VARIANCE NO. 914 - Benjamin R. Fordyce - to place an inground
swimming pool with 14 ft. rear setback in lieu of the required
20 ft. rear setback in Urban residential 10 zone.
Chairman noted here that the pool was already in, and the setback
already established by thefact that the pool is in.
Public Hearing opened and closed.
Mr. Dean explained that as ~on as Mr. Fordyce was informed there
seemed to be a problem he came right in and applied for the
variance.
Motion by Mr. Muller, seconded by Mr. Sicard, all voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED that the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals approves
Variance NO. 914 on the basis that it was not a self-created
hardship. He got into the middle of administrative confusion
at the time an error was discovered.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO.915 - Myron S. Rapaport - to place two additions to
dwelling with less than the required setbacks from the lake shore
off Route 9L, on Lake George.
Represented by George Kurosaka (Engineer)
Mr. Behr noted that this is already a nonconforming use.
Mack Dean explained it would be a pre existing non conforming use
and would require a variance.
The question of toilet facilities was discussed and Mr. Kurosaka
said that this will be discussed in full with the building depart-
ment.
Public Hearing Open
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Charles Adamson, Assembly Point - suggested a delay or possibly
this could be tabled as he had concern regarding the septic system.
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Mr. Kurosake stated that if bathrooms were a problem here, that
they would be eliminated altogether.
Mr. Sicard noted that the sewer problems are out of this Board's
jurisdiction.
Mr. Behr - added that if there was a need to redue the septic
system then it would have to fall within the requirements.
Mr. Dean answered that was correct.
Public Hearing closed.
Town Planning Board and Warren County Planning Board approved
the request.
Mr. Muller asked if there was a limitation as to expansion.
Mr. Dean answered that any expansion would require a variance.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Griffin, all voting
affirmatively,
RESOLVED THAT the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals approve
Variance 915 as the practical difficulty in the terrain has been
shown.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 916 - Mayhew Stiles - to construct a garage with
5 ft. rear setback in lieu of the required 20 ft. in highway
commercial 15 zone, Rte. 9 north of Peking Restaurant.
Represented by Mr. Kurosaka explaining that a 3-bay unit is
planned so that Mr. Stiles can do some servicing.
Mr. Sicard questioned signing with Mr. Stiles saying that there
aren't any on the building now.
Mr. Sicard next asked about the working hours with Mr. Stiles
answering 8-5 and no weekend hours.
Public hearing open and closed.
Warren County Planning Board approved with no stipulations or comments.
Motion by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Behr, all voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED THAT the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals hereby approves
Variance No. 916 as the practical difficulty in the depty of the
lot has been shown.
APPROVED.
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VARIANCE 917 - John Liapes - to operate a Drive-in lunch take
out service in an existing building in a light industrial 1 Acrea
zone Big Bay Road and Corinth Road.
Mrs. Goetz asked Mr. Liapes how long he has owned the property.
Mr. Liapes said he bought it at a tax sale last year.
Mr. Muller asked if the building could be renovated for light
industrial, Mr. Liapes said that he thought so that previously
it was a home that people had resided there recently.
Mr. Turner asked if anyone has approached him to buy the property
for light industrial.
Mr. Liapes said he has been approached but not for light industrial.
Mr. Behr added that you have to prove a hardship that you cannot
get a reasonable return on the property.
Mr. Liapes seemed somewhat confused.
Mr. Muller interjected that what he was trying to bring out as
part of the presentation was that we need to hear some sort of
explanation of why the zone that you are 'stuck' with that did
have a residence could not be converted, could be your hardship.
You think the next best use would be to put in a drive-in.
Mr. Griffin asked how big the lot was, Mr. Liapes answered 75 x 220.
Mr. Turner asked who was selling used vehicles on the let and
Mr. Liapes said his brother.
Public hearing opened.
Mr. Howard Wendel said he was opposed to this and that since he
bought the property all he has had is garage sales and care sales
there. If he was going to have a restaurant, he could have
cleaned it up.
Mrs. Wendel added that additional traffic would be a problem.
Motion by Mr. Behr, seconded by Mrs. Goetz,
RESOLVED THAT the Queensbury zoning Board of Appeals hereby denies
Variance 917 on the basis that the normal required hardships have
not been submitted or proved for a use variance.
Yes - Mr. Behr, Mr. Griffin, Mrs. Goetz, Mr. Turner, Mr. Sicard
and Mr. Þ,1uller
No - None
Variance Denied.
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VARIANCE NO. 918 - Rustler Steak House - to place a free-standing
sign in shopping center in Plaza Commercial 1 Acre Zone
692-700 Upper Glen street.
Mr. Behr asked what size the sign would be.
Representative answered that it will meet the requirements.
Mr. Behr next asked if it would basically be the same as Dunkin
Donuts and he said yes.
Mr. Behr next asked if the present signs will be taken off the
building and he said yes.
Mr. Turner asked the setback for the pole.
Representative said IS' from the property line.
Mrs. Goetz asked if he could tell her what would be removed.
Representative said he could have one sign on the building so
he would remove two.
Public Hearing opened and closed.
Warren County Planning Board approved with no comments.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Muller, all voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED THAT the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals approves
Variance No. 918 providing he takes down two signs from the
building and has a 15' front setback leaving one sign on the
building and 1 free standing sign. Must also comply with square
footage of the ordinance.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 919 - John J. Walker - to operate a retail outlet
for logging supply business in suburban residential 30 zone
property situated northwest side Route 149 west of Bay Road.
Chairman noted for the record that there was no new information
from the last time that this application was heard and he
suggested that the Board not hear this application based on
no new evidence regarding the hardship.
Mr. Walker interjected that he had several affidavits from
people in the area in support of his application.
Mr. Behr said that one thing we have been trying to get across
is that you have to prove the hardship on the property, we are
governed by laws and certain conditions.
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Mr. Behr then recommended that the Board not hear the application
and that the town refund the second application fee.
Mr. Muller noted that he would abstain on this because his
partner was the attorney for Mr. Walker.
Mr. Walker added that he brought with him a real estate broker
and he would introduce him in a few minutes. He then said that one
of the prime reasons he chose this area other than for the business
end was that his children would remain in the same school district
of Lake George and it is to their advantage not to move as well.
Mr. Owens came forward and gave the Board a statement which he
also read. He then added that in the immediate area there have
been two houses on the market for over two years, it is hard
to sell residential in that area.
Mrs. Goetz added that one suggestion made was that perhaps you
should go to the Town Board for re-zoning of the area.
The question as to who should be making the application came up
again. General feeling it should not have been the applicant but
rather it should be the owner, Mr. Beakbane.
Wallace Bean, appraiser also spoke about the present value of the
property and of the hardship put on Mr. Beakbane.
Milton Beakbane, Jr., son of the owner of the property, explained
the interest his father had in selling the property. He also
stated that his father has a health problem. Selling this as
a residential sale would be very hard to do.
Public hearing closed.
Warren County Planning Board in favor of the application.
Mr. Behr asked if in the foreseeable future if he thought he would
be back in for a further variance and Mr. Walker said no.
Mr. Behr also said he was concerned about the angle of the driveway
and general traffic.
Motion by Mr. Behr, seconded by Mr. Sicard it was
RESOLVED THAT the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals approves
Variance No. 919 due to the unusual hardship that has been pre-
sented in favor of the owner of the property along with the approval
of a free standing sign. No repairwork of any kind done on the
site with the hours per the application. To operate retail outlet
logging supply business with no commercial repair work associated
with this business.
Yes - Mr. Behr, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Turner and Mr. Sicard
No - Mrs. Goetz
Abstain - Mr. Muller
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VARIANCE NO. 920 - Glens Falls National Bank and Trust -
to place a second free-standing sign at the Queensbury Banking
Center showing banking hours.
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Resident manager present to represent bank.
Mr. Behr asked if this was so that it could be seen when you
come in.
The respresentative said the purpose was so that people coming
into the building can see it from the parking lot.
Mrs. Goetz asked if when you come in from Glen street would you
have to go to the far end of the lot to see the sign.
Representative said that you will see the sign as soon as you come
into the lot itself.
Mrs. Goetz asked if there was signing on the door.
Representative said on the inside door.
Public Hearing opened and closed.
Warren County Planning Board approved the requst.
Motion by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Turner, all voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED THAT THE Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals hereby
approves Variance No. 920 as it is a reasonable request.
VARIANCE NO. 921 - Donald J. Krebs/Community Workshop, Inc. -
to operate a day treatment center in an existing building in Plaza
Commercial on Quaker Road north of Dix Avenue.
Attorney Robett Stewart represented the applicants. He didn't
know if they should have an interpretation .
Mrs. Goetz asked where the clinic was located now and Mr. Stewart
said on the Boulivard. She then asked if there was a lot of traffic
generalted and he said he didn't think so. These people were handi-
capped and would be brought there at designated times.
Mr. Behr asked also about the amount of traffic coming into the
area and Mr. Jones said he thought there would be less than the
commercial enterprize there previously. Mr. Behr then asked if
there was room in the rear for additional parking and Mr. Jones
said there was plenty room in the rear. Mr. Behr then asked
how many personnel would be in and out on a regular basis and he
answered that there are 28 - 32 people on the staff of the center.
Mr. Turner asked if theis was a long term lease and Mr. Krebs
answered a 10 year with renewable option.
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Mr. Turner then said that it felt that the operation was more than
professional offices.
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Mr. Stewart explained that the staff consists of therapists
and could be treated as professionals.
Mr. Muller said that it should be treated as an interpretation
so the variance could be dispensed with.
INTERPRETATION NO. 27
Understanding what the applicant and the Community Workshop
intend to do on the premises, the Community Workshop organization
plans for the building can be construed as professional offices
and office building use.
All voted yes.
VARIANCE NO. 922 - Roy Tonnesen and Peter Bailey - construct a
retail store with less than the required setback in highway
commercial IS zone on east side Route 9 south of Route 149.
Peter Baily explained the proposed use of the building.
Public Hearing opened and closed.
Warren County Planning Board approves request.
Mr. Bailey explained why or how the building got situated where it
was. The incorrect property line was used at the time a fence was
put up. He said he thought at the time the building went up he
had more than enough setback but after the survey they all realized
they were using the wrong property lines.
Mr. Behr showed concern about people doing work and then coming
in for a variance such as the request for the pool already before
the Board this evening.
Motion by Mr. Muller, seconded by Mr. Sicard, all voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED THAT the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals approves
Variance No. 922 as the applicant has shown practical difficulty,
this was not intentionable and a excusable mistake regarding the
space between the areas involved.
Approved.
VARIANCE NO. 923 - Hayner Hoyt Corporation - to construct green-
house addition to front of restaurant with 44 ft. front setback
in lieu of required 50 ft. (Burker King Restaurant)
Mrs. Goetz asked about parking, the representative said the
parking would be adequate.
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Mr. Griffin asked if there would be additional seating. Representa-
tive said there would be some additional seating along with an
internal play area. He then showed pictures to the board of other
stores with the same additions.
Warren County Planning approved.
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Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Turner, all voting
affirmatively
RESOLVED THAT the Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals approves
Variance No. 923 as it is a reasonable use of space provided.
Approved.
Motion by Mr. Sicard, seconded by Mr. Griffin, all voting
affirmatively
MEETING ADJOURNED.
Approved.
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