Adding Buildings & Taking One Down

The January 14th Zoning Board of Appeals meeting had three items on the agenda... and then a bit of confusion at the end as the board adjourned the meeting... and then went ahead and voted on a resolution to send some comments to the Town Board re: recommendations on comprehensive plan updates... and then adjourned again.

The first item on the agenda was a public hearing for a property on Diddell Road (hint - chairperson, learn how to pronounce the name of the roads in the town) where the applicant wants to add a 24' x 36' garage on the property and required variances for set back requirements. Given that the adjoining property is currently owned by a family member - there were no issues raised by the public, though the chair person set the tone of the discussion by announcing after he opened the hearing that he saw no problems. The board granted the variance, with the stipulation that 4 medium trees be planted 6 feet apart on the property border, to help camoflage the building.

Two Discussion came next -

An architect for the applicant on Route 376 came forward to make the case that an 1890 farmhouse, with a stone foundation that leaks, the building includes rooms that are small and the building is too close to the road -- that the building should be partially demolished, and a new building built in a different location. Variances are required because R-80 Zoning requires 2 acres - and this is a 1 acre property, 200 SF width is required and they can provide 100 feet, set back variances are required to both sides of the property line. The board will visit the property on Januart 25th, with a public hearing set for February 11.

A discussion for applicants on Whites Corner Lane in Hopewell Junction - whose property is 6.2 acres, want a variance for a metal gazebo - because the code allows 2 accessory structures. They currently have 2 sheds and a pool house - (1 shed is 10'x12' and the other is 9'x16'). The board will visit the property on January 25th... with a public hearing set for January 28th.