1986-05-21
1r
CORRECTED COpy
\........ ~1eeting of the':}lleen8bury 00ni ng Board of ~ppeal s held May
21, 1986 7:30 p~m.
Present:
Mr~ Behr, Mrs. Goetz, Mr~ Turner, Mr~ Sicard,
Mr~ Muller and Mr~ ~elley.
Nlr. Gr i t'fin
Absent:
7irst item on the agenda was the approval of the April 16,
1986 minutes~
Motion by Mr~ Sicard, seconded by Mrs. Goetz, all voting
a é'fi rr]lat i vely, it 'was
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the April meeting were approved
as written~
OLD BUSINESS
VARIANCE!'W. 1050, ,John DeiVIarco~
Letter from Mack Dean, Building and Zoning Administrator was
read~
\........
"After thoroughly reviewing John DeMarco's area variance
request and pertinent facts arising from the Appeals Board
meeting of January 15, 1986, I believe this department was
in error in re~uesting Mr~ DeMarco to obtain a variance to
construct a dwelling to replace a cottage on family property
at Rockhurst Road on Lake George:
As you may recall, the basis for a variance re~uest was that
there existed two principal uses on one zone lot 1.1 acres
in an LR-1A Zone and, in order to expand, alter or enlarge a
preexisting, nonconforming use, a variance would have to be
obtained~ This line of thought is fine, as :far as it goes.
J.Jooking deeper into the matter, one must consider t11.at only
the "restaurant" and marina, as commercial uses, are
preexisting ancl nonconfornÜng in a residential zone~
The cottage is a dwelling and is entitled to the same
consiclerations of zoning regulations as any other d'Ñelling
in a:Ücl residential zone, regardless of how often or how
little it was "lived in" over a period of years. Once the
use is establishecl and ia a uae permi.ttecl in a given zone,
'- it remains viable. Even though the zoning lot size
requirement may be increased and the d1.rrelling's use is only
occasional ~ it is still a permitted use an(i no varia'1.ce is
~ necessary~
Should the Casa Bianca Restaurant wish to reopen or enlarge,
a variance would be re1uired~
Given the above facts, I would formally request the Zoning
Boarrl of ~ppeals to rescind its decision and regard the
application I'd thdrawn~ II
R~ Case Prime, Town Counsel, agrees with above letter.
~10tion by ~~r; Huller, seconded by ~1r ~ Turner, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT Variance No. 1050, John DeMarco be rescinded.
Rescinded:
NBW BUSINESS
V A1U~NCg NO ~ 1074 - Charles R. Card.er ,B'i tzgerald Road on
Glen Lake - to add upper level to dwelling at less than the
~ required 50 ft~ shoreline setback in Single Family
'Residential 30 Zone.
Represented by the owner, Charles Carder:
NIr. Tur ner inquired if camp was recently purchased to which
~r: Carder responded yes in June 1985:
Mr~ Behr asked if dimensional drawings were available. Mr.
Carder showed board members said drawings.
PuhlLc Hearing Opened..
Warren County Planning approved.
Letter from Mr. Worker, neighbor, was read. Re approves of
the plan.
Public Heari ng Clo:3ed ~
"JIotion by r1r~ T\:elley, seconded by Mr~ Muller, all voting
~ affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT Variance tifo: 1074 be approved. The applican.t
I ()4
2
~/
has shoì.rrn practical d.ifficul ty. It will not be detrimental
to the ordinance, they cannot build to the rear of the
property.
A.pproved~
V ~'RIANC-:~; NO ~ 1075 - Robert V ~ 1/{alker, west side West
Mountain Road at Corinth 'Road intersection - to operate a
Glass C (agr icultural) farm per Article 7, Section 7 :080 of
Queensbury Zoning Ordinance on a 3 acre parcel in a Suburban
Residential 30 Zone ~
'Represented by the o'i'Tner, Robert Irlal1-cer.
Questions arose as to the size of the greenhouse (40 x 25,
1 ,000 sQ. ft~). Under Class C (agricul tural) up to 300 sq.
ft. is permitted. ~l so under Class C property must be 5
acres~ Property in question is only 3 acres.
Mr ~ Sicard inquired how long Mr. 1Ñalker has Ii ved there and
whether there were animals involved. Mr. ì'Ýalker stated he
has lived there for 7 years and there are no animals on the
premises;
Public Hearing Opened.
~
Warren County Planning Board approved.
A letter from Mr~ & Mrs; Jozlin was read. Mr. Jozlin's
father owned this property before the vval ker' sand NIr :.\{:
~rs~ Jozlin totally approve of this project~ They live next
door to this property at the present time;
Pl.iblieHeari ng Closed.
Application amended to read Class G farm, 3 acres +.
Or,liaance requires 5 acres. The proposed use would include
a 1 ,000 sq. ft~ greenhouse.
Motion by Mr~ Sicard, seconded by Mr. Behr, all voting
affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED TH~T Variance No. 1075 be approved. This is a
great use of the land and this variance is not transferable
to any other people other than the family members. This
approval includes Class C 11se 0 ê fanll of 3 acres + because
the Ordinance requires 5 acres for this type of use~ Board
\.....- is amending this Variance request to inclucle the erection of
/4 (
3
a 1 ,000 sq~ ft~ greenhouse.
~ ~pproved~
VARIANCE NO: 1076 - George Pfeiffer, Glendale Drive - to
create a ~arcel of land wi th existing dwelling at less than
one acre ,proposed 15,000 sq. ft~) and less than 50 ft~ side
setback betì1'Teen cO!Ìl!l1ercial 11se and residential use in Plaza
Commercial 1 acre zone~
Represented by Alec Moore:
Mr. Turner asked what Hr. Pfeiffer's reason was for dividing
the property~ 1'J[r~ Moore stated Mr~ Pfieffer is selling the
house but wishes to keep the greenhouse~ T'1r~ Behr stated
Mr. Pfieffer told him he is selling the house to reduce his
debt to the bank:
Public Hearing Opened~
Mr. Tom Martin, Glenview ~venue opposes the pla'1.. Property
is becoming an eyesore to the rest of the property owners.
Street is becoming very congested.
~
Barry and Kathy Schult live next door to Mr~ Martin~ They
also oppose for the same reasons~
Letter read from Rohne Company. They have no objection to
this plan.
Warren County Planning Board approved without comment.
Public Hearing Closed~
Motion by Mr~ Behr to deny, seconded by Mr. Muller, all
lToGiag a::firrnatively to deny, it was
RlTISOIN8D THA.'r Variance No~ 1076 be denied~ There is no
practical di fficul ty proven~ It would be detr imental to the
neighborhood to dilTidethis property any further.
Denied:
VARIANCE NO~ 1077 - Marcel Demers (Queensbury Automotive
Center) TJafayette and Bank Streets - to place building with
45 ft~ front setback from Bank Street in lieu of the
~ required 50 t't; front setback in Plaza Commercial 1 Acre
Zone ~
lð~
4
Represented by the owner, Marcel Demers.
~
Mr~ Turner asked Mr; Boucher (the contractor) to explain how
building was erected in the wrong place ~ T1J:r. Boucher
explained that the stakes for the building line 'were hidden
by snow~ Was not done intentionally, it just happened.
Public Hearing Opened and Closedlrrith no p11òlic coraraent.
Warren County Planning Board approved~
fJIotion òy Mr ~ ~',iuller, seconded by Mr ~ Sicard ~ all voting
affirmatively; it was
~ESOLVED TH~T Variance No; 1077 be approved. Practical
difficulty has been shown and a genuine reason given for the
shortcomings of the building placement~
Approved ~
VARIANCE NO~ 1078 - Wayne Pelak (Imperial Motel) ~viation
Road across from Aviation Mall - to place a S\rrirnming pool as
accessory to motel in the side yard on lot with split zoning
~ - l'laza COI11I11eroial 1 A. and Urban Residential 5.
B.epresented by Attorney Jim Davies and the owner, Ivayne
Pelak.
Mr~. Kelley asked how close to the pool the leech field will
be; Mr ~ Pelak replied that the pool has to be plac8cl as
shown because otherwise it will come in contact with the dry
'Ñells;
Mr; Turner asked what would be <lone about shrubbery on the
residential side; Mr~ Pelak said enough shrubbery would be
added so neighbors could not see into pool area~ It lrrill
also be fenced in;
Mr~ Kelley questioned the amount of walkway around the pool
(5' on 3 sic1es) .~JIr. 'Pelak said plan was changed to 3'.
Mr~ Behr asked how many efficiency rooms there were in the
cornplex.Mr ~ Pelak stated there were 14 total rooms in the
ne'Ñ ad.clition aacl that 10 ;1Tere efficiency.
~
Mr~ Muller asked what the distance was between the westerly
side of the pool and the easterly side of the blacktop. Mr.
Jó.J
5
Pelak stated the clistance was about 4'.
",--".
Mr; Kelley asked if a diving board was planned. Mr. Pelak
said no~
Public Hearing Opened~
r\'[r~ Bruce brother of flrs. TJiapes, who lives next to the
hotel~ Mr: Bruce said that Mrs~ Liapes feels there is a 50'
setback la'w an<i that it should be enforcerl ~ f,'[r ~ Bruce also
stated that Mrs~ Liapes feels this hearing should be delayed
to give her time to obtain legal counsel~ She \,.¡as notified
last Friday, which is legal ~
Attorney Davies stated he believed the property would be far
noreattractive vrhen project is completed than it is now.
There will be no clear view from the pool area to Mrs~
Liapes house~
Letter from Niagra rJIohawk read into the recor(l.
"This letter is in reference to Niagra ~110ha\rr~ installing
underground facilities to your new units at the rear of your
property~
~
~ccording to the pr econstruction appl i(~at ion certificat ion
of Niagra Mohawk's right-of-way. Sight preparation
requirements for underground line extension, ì.rrhich you
signed and was accepted by Niagra Mohawk, it states that
underground right-of-way and easement be cÜe8.rell 0 r: tx'ee
stumps, brush and other obstructions. In our discussio(L~ 0 f
this right-of-way Niagra Mohawk did request that you remove
and clear this area. You stated that you wanted to maintain
the trees as much as possible~ Niagra Mohawk still insisted
that the area be cleareri as much as deemed necessary in
or<ler to maintain the 5' from edge of property also the
center line of the right-of-way:
During the installation of these undergrouncl fa(~iliticB
Niagra 1VIohawk deviated from the 5' edge of property in order
for you to maintain some of the trees in rIuest ion~
I hope that I have answered your questions concerning the
installation of the cable with reference to the trees and
brush~ If :y-ou. have any further questions or request
additional information please contact me. Sincerely, Joseph
~'[ulcay, Consumer Relations Representative."
'-
JOY
6
/oS
7
~
1'1rs. Goetz stated ,she\vas concerned about the noise that can
be generated by a pool atmosphere. Mr~ Davies stated that
the hours of the pool\rrould be restricted to daylight hours
only, which was also suggested by the Warren County Planning
Board ~ Pool will be closed each day at dusk.
Mr ~ Behr suggested that the Beautié'i(~ation Co!rrrrÜttee
stipulations, if any, be followed 100%~ Mr. Pelak stated he
had no problem with that request~
Mr~ ~elley stated he did not think Mr. Pelak was being fair
to this board considering the fact that Mr: Pela..k stated on
the applicatioathat a dravving to scale would be provided.
That was not done~ Mr~ Kelley is concerned about the
parking, where the actual septic syste1n is an!Ì also that the
pool is not going to actually be where it is shown on the
drawing they have~ Mr. ~elley also stated that Mr. Pelw( is
aware of the Beauti ficat ion Commi ttee, because 0 r a previou.s
variance he found out about it, and ignored it this time.
Discussion follovrec1 orl'}Thether there was an oversight on
Beautification Committee's part in notifying Mr. Pelak this
tirn.e~ ~1r~ ~elley stated he u.nderstands the reason for a
motel having a pool but that he has some reservations about
the project~
~
Warren County Planning Board approved but they modified.
liThe applicant agreed to meet with the Beautification
Committee and to limit hours of use by the pool to daylight
hours. II
'Public Hearing Closed.;
~\~otion by Mr: Kelley to table, seconded by 1\1r . Muller , all
voting affirmatively, it was
~ ttorney Davies said he wi shed to speak to the Itlot io n: He
stated that the tabling of this motion would cause economic
difficulty and that the drawings do show the essentials of
the project~ The only consideration is the 35' setback~
RESOLVED THAT Variance No; 1078 be tabled for more
i nforraation including accurate dral,vings, locating septic,
driveways, etc~ This will also give applicant time to meet
with the Beautification Committee~
rrabled.
V ART MifCF.JI~O. 1079 - Michael Williams, 6 Applehouse Lane - to
.............
construct an attached garage with less than the re~uired
side yard setback in SI1burlJan Residential 1Ä.cre Zone.
\.-
Motion by Mrs~ Goetz to table until next month because
applicant has not appeared, seconded by Mr. Turner, all
voting affil'm!.,dively, it\,vas
RESOLVED THAT Variance No ~ 1079 be tabled.
Tabled ~
VARIANCE NO~ 1080 - Thomas & Ginger Spring, west side Bay
Road south Walker Lane - to contruct a dance school in Urban
Residential 5 Zone~
Represented by the owners, Thomas & Ginger Spring~
Mr~ Turner asked how many students
time and what the hours would be~
to 12 students ancithe hours i,/{ould.
to be finished by 8:30 p:m~
would be there at one
Ginger Spring replied 10
vary but that she tries
~
Mr~ Behr asked what the nature of the land was~ Thomas
Spring ansvrere(i that tbe lHW'k: part of the lot v'ms soggy but
that the front is OK.
Mr~ Behr asked where the parking would be to which Thomas
Spring answered it would be to the side of the building~
Mr; Sical'd asked if there were plans to build any other
buildings on this lot~ Thomas Spring said no.
Mr~ Turner asked if Mr~ Spring was the present owner of this
piece of property~ Mr~ Spring said Mr~ Mohler was the
current owner; All of the lots along Bay Road are for sale.
TJIr~ Turner wondered where the proof was established of no
reasonable return on the property as Zoned: (UR-5) T'1r.
~~ohler stated the property has been Tor sale for :2 or 3
year s ~
Mr~ Kelley stated he was not sure that this board should
:nake a (løcisio(l 0'1. putting a co(tllnercial business in an area
that the Town has stipulated to be a residential type area.
'-'
TJong discussionfollo,^Ted on whether or not this business
shoul(i be considered under the regulations for a school~ If
this business, in fact, were considered a school a variance
would not be needed;
/0 to
8
~
Public Hearing Opened.
A letter from John McCaffrey, Tee Hill Road was read. He is
concerned abou.t the wetland and thinks that DEC should be
contacted to see if a permit is needed for this area.
Warren County Planning Board approved:
Beautification Committee approved~ "Buffer Zone to the
south has some natural trees which will remain~ Upright
Yews will be used in front of the building and other
species; annuals and perennials, ",rill be useel betvíeen~ Grass
will be used in front of building except for driveway and
parking area~ Grollnèl cover\'rLll be laid cut out for plants
covered by bark~"
Motion by Mr~ Muller to table, seconded by Mr~ Behr, all
voting affirmatively, it was
RBSOLVBD THAT Variance l'fo~ 1080 be tabled. This Board also
requests Town Counsels to determine if this dance school, as
described, '#0111<1 be a permitted use un<ler the Site Plan
Review Type II of the Queensbury Zoning Ordinance~
'\..-
Tabled.
VARIANCE NO. 1081 - Nathan Dickinson ,Tr ~, Hoc1-chllrst Road -
to construct addition to dwelling at less than the required
75 ft~ setback from Lakeshore and place an existing
open-sided boathouse at less than the reqllired side yard
setback in Lakeshore Residential 1A Zone.
Represented by the owners; Mr~ & Mrs; Dickinson~
~\1r~ Dickinson explained that he Irrould like to take his boat
off a mooring~ He feels he would be eliminating a
navi gation hazard because of the heavy trafê:Lc in Sanlly 'Bay
and it would also be more convenient for them; 'de also
explained that you can't get a sailboat ÎJvith a 28' mast into
an area that is only" 9' high: They llon't I.rrant to thr01,v the
structure away" but would rather make renovations to the
(nl.l ldL ng that already exi sts:
~r; Dickinson stated that shed on property does have
bathroom but is only used for the lawnmower and tools~
'-
Mr. Turner askeclwhere the septic systerll ví8.S i Q relation to
/D7
9
¡oJ
10
the house that is already there and the proposed addition~
Mr~ Dickinson stated it was at the back.
'-
ìJ[r ~ Behr stated he was concerne(i about the overexcessi ve use
of the property and that there really is no hardship
invol veda
Long discussion followed on the o~her proposed building
which will be a combination Recreation7Storage building.
Public Hearing Opened and Closed vrLtih no pu..bli(J cOlnrnenL
Warren County Planning Board approved~
Another long discussion followed on the Recreation/Storage
bui Iding:
ì·~otion ():y ~;1r~ T\:elley to approve~ seconded by 1'1r~ Sicard, two
negative votes, Mr: Behr and Mrs~ Goetz, it was
~
RESOTJV-EJD TH~T Variance No: 1081 be approved as an area
variance: Practical difficulty has been shown in that the
requested setback will not interfere with access to the
lake: It is not more (ietrimental than (3LLstin9 8.ccessory
building~ This building is to be a recreation/storage
building and is not to be habitable in any v:ra,Y ~ No sleeping
allowed in ne'Ñ building.
~pproved~
VARIANCE NO. 1082 - H~ R~ Tyrer, Jr~ (Glenwood Manor)
GlemTood';'venue/ Quaker Road - to place addition with 10 :ft.
side yard setback on one corner in lieu of the required 20
ët: SUlt3 yarcl i3etback in Highway Commercial 15 Zone.
Represented by Mr~ H~ R~ Tyrer, the owner and Mr~ Richard
Jones the designer~
ì4:rs~ Goetz inquired if there was a master plan for this
property: She understands that therernay be future plans
for an auction house ~ T4:r ~ Tyrer replied that it was a
possiblity but that they were not concentrating on that area
as of this time; He is concerned with the plans to house
rnore dealers at this time~
'-"
~'~r ~ Behr ask:ed abou t the parking~ ~1r; Tyr eX' stats'1 the rei s
parking in the rear and that they also own 2~5 acres across
the street;
jð í
1 1
IJ[r~ Kelley asked~vhat the 'C'utllre buildLng vrould look like.
'-" Mr ~ Jones showed the design plans for the future 1)uilding
which show the addition of dormers and more windows. Mr.
Jones stated they are trying to keep the aesthetics of the
building the same~
Mr~ Behr asked what would happen to the large tree on the
property ~ 1\lr ~ Tyrer stated they \rrere avoiding taking clo\rrn
any of the trees on the property~
ì!1rs~ Goetz stated one of her concerns was the sign on Qua.ker
'RoacL vIr ~ Tyrer stated that the sign was OK'd by the Warren
County Planning Board~ Mrs~ Goetz stated her concern was
the sign that was proppecl up on the êronl; 0 ï: the property.
TJIr ~ Tyrer stated that sign would definitely be taken do\"'n~
One sign 'will handle all of the facilities:
Mr: Muller inquirerl about the area that is sho\rrn for parking
of 48 autos~ He wondered if it was all filled in~ (Area
across the road~) Mr: Tyrer st~ted that at the present it
is being filled and that it will all be landscaped and
1')eautified probably by the middle of this year ~ Area also
to have split rail fencing around it~ This area is situated
over 100' from Halfway Brook~
~
Public Hearing Opened and Closed. with no pl.:tblic CO!ilIaent.
Warren County Planning Board modified: "Conditionth~t
parking be prohibited on the opposite side of Glenwood and
be required in the rear of the building~ And. that the area
currently being filled with construction debris and asphalt
cease anti be properly landscaped:"
~~r ~ Behr asked if Mr; Tyrer was aware that the Warren County
Planning Board is saying that he cannot use the piece of
property across the street for parking~ Mr. Tyrer asked why
and Mr. Behr responded that was a question which should have
been brought up at the Planning 130arcl T1eetLng: ~'tr ~ Tyrer
said he did not attend that meeting because he was not aW8.re
there was one~ TJIr: Behr stated he thought it might be
considered a safety problem: NIl": Turner stated that this
Board does not necessarily have to agree with the County
Boarcl:
TJong discussion followed on the traffic problsillS on the
corner of Quaker and Glenwood and the proposed parking area
across the street from the antique shop:
'-'
110
1 2
one negative vote, Mr. Behr, it was
~ Another long discussion followed on the various problems of
the parking area across the street.
RESOLVED THAT Variance No~ 1082 be approved~ Practical
difficulty proven is the proximity of the Niagra Mohawk
right-of-way on the eastern sideline. Parking conditions
mentioned by the Warren County Planning Board will not
apply~ Ingress and egress boundary will be 45' from the
Niagra Mohawk right-of-way boundary~ Ingress and width will
be 25'~ Agreed upon psrking will be across Glenwood Avenue
from the ~ntique business.
Approved~
VARIANCE NO ~ 1083 - Daggett's Vending, Inc ~, '''estern
Avenue/Quaker Road - to use former church building for
offices/storage to expand an existing business in Urban
Residential 10 Zone~
Represented by Mr~ Richard Mason from Daggett's.
Mrs~ Goetz asked if the church had moved. Mr. Mason stated
they had moved to Nelson Street.
~
Mr. Kelley asked if the building were being leased. Mr.
Mason stated the church still owns the property and that
Daggett's wanted to get the Variance first before purchasing
the property.
Mrs~ Goetz asked if the building would remain the same. Mr.
Mason stated that improvements will be made to the building
al though a timetable for improvements has not been set ~
Public Hearing Opened.
A letter from Laura Brown, who opposes the project, was
read~
~ letter from Leona Crosby, ì.rrho also opposes the project,
was read~
Warren County Planning Board approved.
Public Hearing Closed.
\..,.-,
Motion by Mr. Sicard to approve, seconded by Mr. Turner, all
voting affirmatively, it was
//1
13
~1otion by ~1r: Sicard to approve, secon(led by :'\ir: Turner, all
voting affirmatively, it was
\...---
RESOLV:ED THAT Variance No ~ 1083
hardship has been demonstrated~
commercial and this will not be
neighborhood~
be approved~ Unnecessary
Surround! rlg neighboi~hoo(lL G
detrimental to the
Approved.
VARIAìTC1~ NO~ 10:34 - Shen¡in \Villiams Co~ ~ 709 Upper Glen st~
- to install sign on existing plaza pylon or a new
free-standing sign in Plaza Commercial 1 A Zone:
Represented by Mr~ James Dier agent for Sherwin Williams.
r1r~ Dier explained that Sherwin Williams dià. not want to
wai t :for the ne1rr si gn ordinance because they have had an
18~9~ drop in sales recently~
~1rs: Goetz stated that she would like to see 1 ~3ign for all
the stores in that area:
Warren County Planning Board disapproves:
\.-
Motion by Mr~ Behr to deny, seconded by Mrs~ Goetz, all
voting a:êfirinatively to deny, it Ivas
RESO:LVED THAT Variance No; 1084 be denied. It ",multi be
detrimental; All signs must comply by August, 1986.
Denied
T1otion to adjourn meeting at 12:00 a:m: by ]'vir; Sicard,
seconded by Mr; Turner; all voting affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT the meeting adjourn~
\..-'