HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970_05_27 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD MAY 27, 1970, IN THE COURT ROOM
4L14 OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK POLICE STATION, 11 EDGEWOOD AVENUE,
TOWN OF MAMARONECK.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at
8:15 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mr. Richard F. Eggers, Chairman
Mr. E. Robert Wassman
Mr. Henry Mullick
Mr. Price H. Topping
Absent: Mr. Donald D. Geary, Jr.
Also present: Mr. William Paonessa, Building Inspector
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of April 22, 1970 were
presented and on motion duly made and seconded, ap-
proved as submitted.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Chairman declared the hearing open and the Sec-
retary presented for the record the affidavit of
publication of the notice of hearing.
The Chairman requested the Secretary to read the
first application that had been postponed from the
previous meeting.
APPLICATION NO. 1 - CASE 324
Application of Mr. Joseph Pittera for modification
of Article IV Section 445.1 "Building on Lots of
Less than the Required Size" and Article IV Section
410 Schedule of Residence District Regulations for
an R-7.5 Residential District of the Zoning Ordinance
so as to allow the construction of a one family dwell-
ing on a lot having a frontage of 20 feet instead
of the required minimum lot frontage of 75 feet on
the premises located at 24 Lafayette Road and known
on the Tax Assessment Map of the Town of Mamaroneck
as Block 130 Parcel 239 on the grounds of practical
difficulty and/or unnecessary hardship.
Mr. Peter D. Mosher, an Attorney of 200A Myrtle Boule-
vard represented Mr. Pittera.
Mr. J. Henry Neale, an Attorney of the Harwood Build-
ing in Scarsdale represented Mr. and Mrs. Philippe
Magdelain of 19 Lafayette Road who opposed the ap-
plication. Mr. Neale said that he and his client
had conferred with Mr. Mosher and Mr. Pittera before
the meeting and the applicant had consented to add
more area to the lot in question which would elimi-
nate his client's objection but the Board said that
it would not change the frontage of the lot for which
the variance was required. The Board would not amend
the application as they felt there was no guarantee
that Mr. Pittera would not park on the 20 foot strip.
Mr. Mosher stated that the applicant was asking for
a variance to build on a lot having less than the
required frontage on a public street and the proposed
building lot is what is known as a "flag" lot which
conforms in all other respects with the Zoning Ordi-
nance of the Town of Mamaroneck. The Attorney pointed
out that the lot is substantially above average in
area and that this lot was created by former owners.
Mr. Mosher pointed out that Mr. Pittera had acquired
the"flag" lot in 1970 from B. M. Heede, Inc. which
at that time had a frontage of 20 feet on Lafayette
Road. The Board asked if there was any possibility
of Mr. Pittera obtaining another five feet and Mr.
Mosher said only if Mr. Magdelain or Mr. Rothman,
the adjoining property owners would sell the extra
five feet to Mr. Pittera. Mr. Mosher said that before
B. M. Heede, Inc. sold the property in question to
Mr. Pittera they had given the right of first refusal
to purchase the property to Mr. Magdelain.
Mr. Neale stated that the property in question and
Mr. Magdelain's lot was originally part of one single
parcel owned by Heede. The parcel in question was
conveyed in 1959 to B. M. Heede, Inc. Mr. Magdelain
acquired his property from Mr. Heede in 1963 and
his driveway extends over a corner of the particular
lot in question. When Mr. Magdelain purchased the
property he acquired an easement for the driveway.
Mr. Neale said that because of the short turn on
Lafayette Road the proposed dwelling would create
an additional fire and traffic hazard and his client
thought Mr. Pittera should build the proposed dwell-
ing on the other lot which had the required front-
age. The Board pointed out that the lot was on a
"paper street" and Mr. Pittera could not use that
portion of Lester Place for access.
Mr. Robert Weiskopf of 18 Lafayette Road, also, ob-
jected to the application and said that he felt Mr.
Pittera was well aware of the problem when he pur-
chased the lot in question. Mr. Weiskopf said that
if Mr. Pittera's application was granted several
pine trees would have to be removed.
Mr. Marion Brown of 20 Lafayette Road and Mr. Hayden
,440
T ► 7
W. Smith of 8 Lafayette Road expressed their dis-
approval of the application.
After further discussion the Chairman asked for a
short recess. When the Board returned a vote was
taken on the application and the result was as fol-
lows:
Commissioner Eggers - Nay
Commissioner Wassman - Nay
Commissioner Mullick - Nay
Commissioner Topping - Nay
The application was therefore denied and the follow-
ing Resolution duly adopted:
WHEREAS, Mr. Joseph Pittera has submitted
an application for a building permit to
the Building Inspector for the construc-
tion of a one family dwelling on a lot
having a frontage of 20 feet together with
plans; and
WHEREAS, the Building Inspector has refused
to issue such permit on the grounds that
the plans submitted failed to comply with
the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Mama-
roneck with particular reference to Arti-
cle IV Section 445.1 "Building on Lots
of Less than the Required Size" and Arti-
cle IV Section 410 Schedule of Residence
District Regulations for an R-7.5 Residen-
tial District of the Zoning Ordinance which
requires a minimum lot frontage of 75 feet
on the premises located at 24 Lafayette
Road and known on the Tax Assessment Map
of the Town of Mamaroneck as Block 130
Parcel 239; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Joseph Pittera has submitted
to this Board an application for a vari-
ance on the ground of practical difficulty
and/or unnecessary hardship for the follow-
ing reasons:
1. When the lot was originally
subdivided the property in ques-
tion was created as a "flag" lot.
2. The lot has an area of more
than the required lot area for
an R-7.5 Residential District.
3. Mr. Pittera will have a vac-
ant lot that cannot be sold be-
cause it is not a buildable lot.
03g'
WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans,
reviewed the application and has heard
all persons interested in this application
after publication of a notice thereof,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this Board denied the appli-
cation on the following grounds:
1. That the applicant purchased
said property in January of 1970
at which time it was subject to
the zoning requirements of an
R-7.5 Residential District.
2. The applicant at that time
owned adjoining and contiguous
land.
3. That the applicant subsequently
combined and subdivided into two
parcels creating two nonconforming
lots.
4. That the applicant failed
to present any detailed architec-
tural or landscaping plan with
respect to the development of
the property in question.
5. That the facts and circum-
stances claimed by the applicant
to entitle him to the variance
are not such as would deprive
him of the reasonable use of the
land.
6. That the granting of the var-
iance would not be in harmony
with the general purposes and
intent of this Ordinance and would
be injurious to the neighborhood
and detrimental to the public
welfare.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this decision be
filed with the Town Clerk in accordance
with Section 267 of the Town Law.
The Chairman asked the Secretary to read the next
application.
APPLICATION NO. 2 - CASE 325
Application of Mr. Frank Micelli for modification
of Article IV Section 410 Schedule of Permitted Uses
in a "B" Business District of the Zoning Ordinance
so as to permit the premises to be used for purposes
incidental to general contracting business, i.e. ,
parking and storage of trucks and miscellaneous con-
tractor's equipment located on the easterly side
of Valley Place and known on the Tax Assessment Map
of the Town of Mamaroneck as Block 131 Parcel 40
on the grounds of practical difficulty and/or un-
necessary hardship.
Mr. Francis A. Auletta, an Attorney of 243 Mamaro-
neck Avenue represented Mr. Micelli and pointed out
that when Mr. Micelli purchased the property in 1968
there was a frame house and garage on the premises.
When Mr. Micelli entered into contract with the seller
he received notice that there had been a fire and
he was ordered to remove the house.
Mr. Auletta said that the applicant has graded and
cleaned the lot thereby improving the area and that
the proposed parking and storage area is in keeping
with the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Auletta stated
that Mr. Micelli is a general contractor and has
heavy equipment including tools which have to be
kept in out of the weather. The applicant intends
to keep a movable field trailer on the lot to store
tools and a small movable trailer for office purposes
but the trailers will only be kept on the lot for
storage temporarily between jobs. Mr. Micelli in-
tends to put up a fence around the property and the
surface of the lot will be gravel with a paved road-
way entrance.
Mr. Auletta presented the Board with a petition signed
by several of the neighbors approving the applica-
tion and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeAlleaume appeared
and expressed their approval.
After a brief discussion a vote was taken on the
application and the result was as follows:
Commissioner Eggers - Aye
Commissioner Wassman - Nay
Commissioner Mullick - Aye
Commissioner Topping - Aye
The application was therefore granted and the fol-
lowing Resolution duly adopted:
WHEREAS, Mr. Frank Micelli has submitted
an application for permission to store and
maintain contractor's equipment on a lot
located in a "B" Business District together
with plans; and
WHEREAS, the plans submitted failed to comply
with the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of
!PALI
Mamaroneck with particular reference to
Article IV Section 410 Schedule of Permitted
Uses in a "B" Business District which does
not permit the parking and storage of trucks
and miscellaneous contractor's equipment
located on the premises on the easterly
side of Valley Place and known on the Tax
Assessment Map of the Town of Mamaroneck
as Block 131 Parcel 40; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Frank Micelli has submitted
to this Board an application for a vari-
ance on the ground of practical difficulty
and/or unnecessary hardship for the fol-
lowing reasons:
1. Proposed parking and stor-
age area is in keeping with the
surrounding neighborhood where
similar contractor's establish-
ments and equipment are located.
2. The two portable trailers
will only be kept on the lot
temporarily between jobs.
WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans,
reviewed the application and has heard
all persons interested in this application
after publication of a notice thereof,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this Board grants the ap-
plication on the following grounds:
(a) That there are special cir-
cumstances and conditions apply-
ing to the land and/or building
for which a variance is sought,
which circumstances and/or con-
ditions are peculiar to such land
and/or buildings and do not apply
generally to the land and/or build-
ings in the district and which
circumstances and conditions have
not resulted from any acts of
the applicant subsequent to the
date of the Zoning Regulations
appealed from.
(b) That said circumstances and/
or conditions are such that the
particular application of the
Ordinance with respect to Article
IV Section 410 would deprive the
applicant of the reasonable use
ftY/
of such land and/or building and
that for these reasons the grant-
ing of the variance is necessary
for the reasonable use of the
land and/or building and that
the variance as granted by this
Board is the minimum adjustment
that will accomplish this purpose.
(c) That the granting of this
variance will be in harmony with
the general purposes and intent
of this Ordinance and will not
be injurious to the neighborhood
or otherwise detrimental to the
public welfare; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a variance is hereby
granted to the applicant and that Article
IV Section 410 Schedule of Permitted Uses
in a "B" Business District of the Zoning
Ordinance so as to permit the premises
to be used for purposes incidental to gen-
eral contracting business; i.e. , parking
and storage of trucks and miscellaneous
contractor's equipment on the premises
located on the easterly side of Valley
Place and known on the Tax Assessment Map
of the Town of Mamaroneck as Block 131
Parcel 40 in strict conformance with the
plans filed with this application and amended,
provided that the applicant complies in
all other respects with the Zoning Ordi-
nance and Building Code of the Town of
Mamaroneck.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with
the Rules and Regulations of the Zoning
Ordinance where a variance is granted the
applicant shall obtain a building permit
within three months of the filing of this
Resolution with the Town Clerk. The build-
ing permit shall be void if construction
is not started within six months and com-
pleted within two years of the date of
said permit.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this decision be
filed with the Town Clerk as provided in
Section 267 of the Town Law.
The Chairman asked the Secretary to read the third
application.
APPLICATION NO. 3 - CASE 326
Application of Mr. Otto Scheuble for modification
��fet
of Article IV Section 410 Schedule of Residence Dis-
trict Regulations for an R-7.5 Residential District
and Article IV Section 445 "Building on Lots Less
than the Required Size" of the Zoning Ordinance so
as to allow the construction of a one family dwell-
ing on a lot having a front setback of 20 feet rather
than the required minimum setback of 30 feet and
an average depth of 80 feet instead of the required
minimum depth of 100 feet on the premises located
at 25 Rock Ridge Road and known on the Tax Assess-
ment Map of the Town of Mamaroneck as Block 412 Par-
cel 596 on the grounds of practical difficulty and/
or unnecessary hardship.
Mr. Scheuble appeared before the Board with his ap-
plication. The applicant stated that because of
other commitments he was unable to complete the dwell-
ing for which he had been granted a variance to build
in December 1965.
Mr. Scheuble stated that due to the irregular shape
and topographical condition of the lot in question,
which is very shallow and rocky, it is necessary
to locate the proposed dwelling closer to Rock Ridge
Road than is allowed by the Zoning Ordinance.
The applicant had obtained a building permit but
according to the Resolution adopted by the Zoning
Board of Appeals at its December 1965 meeting the
building permit is void if the building is not com-
pleted within two years. Mr. Scheuble had appeared
before the Board several times previous since he
obtained the property in 1955.
After a short discussion a vote was taken on the
application and the result was as follows:
Commissioner Eggers - Aye
Commissioner Wassman - Aye
Commissioner Mullick - Aye
Commissioner Topping - Aye
The application was therefore grantdd and the fol-
lowing Resolution duly adopted:
WHEREAS, Mr. Otto Scheuble has submitted
an application for a building permit to
the Building Inspector to allow the con-
struction of a one family dwelling on a
lot having a front setback of 20 feet and
having an average depth of 80 feet together
with plans; and
WHEREAS, the Building Inspector has refused
to issue such permit on the grounds that
the plans submitted failed to comply with
the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Mama-
/ r �' 3
roneck with particular reference to Article
IV Section 410 Schedule of Residence Dis-
trict Regulations and Article IV Section
445 "Building on Lots less than the Required
Size" of the Zoning Ordinance which requires
a minimum front setback of 30 feet and
a minimum average depth of 100 feet on
the premises located at 25 Rock Ridge Road
and known on the Tax Assessment Map of
the Town of Mamaroneck as Block 412 Par-
cel 596; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Otto Scheuble has submitted
to this Board an application for a vari-
ance on the ground of practical difficulty
and/or unnecessary hardship for the fol-
lowing reasons:
1. Due to the irregular shape
and topographical condition of
the lot which is very shallow
and rocky, it is necessary to
locate the proposed dwelling closer
to Rock Ridge Road than required
by the Zoning Ordinance.
2. Due to the fact that the lot
abuts a business zone a 20 foot
setback will enable the applicant
to maintain a minimum rear yard
of 25 feet.
3. The applicant has not been
able to complete the work for
which he had obtained a variance
in 1965 because of other commit-
ments.
WHEREAS, this Board has examined the plans,
reviewed the application and has heard
all persons interested in this application
after publication of a notice thereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this Board grants the ap-
plication on the following grounds:
(a) That there are special
circumstances and conditions
applying to the land and/or build-
ing for which a variance is sought,
which circumstances and/or con-
ditions are peculiar to such
land and/or buildings and do
not apply generally to the land
and/or buildings in the district
and which circumstances and con-
ditions have not resulted from
any acts of the applicant sub-
sequent to the date of the Zon-
ing Regulations appealed from.
(b) That said circumstances
and/or conditions are such that
the particular application of
the Ordinance with respect to
Article IV Section 410 would
deprive the applicant of the
reasonable use of such land and/
or building and that for these
reasons the granting of the var-
iance is necessary for the reason-
able use of the land and/or build-
ing and that the variance as
granted by this Board is the
minimum adjustment that will
accomplish this purpose.
(c) That the granting of this
variance will be in harmony with
the general purposes and intent
of this Ordinance and will not
be injurious to the neighborhood
or otherwise detrimental to the
..� public welfare; and it is
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a variance is hereby
granted to the applicant and that Article
IV Section 410 Schedule of Residence Dis-
trict Regulations for an R-7.5 Residential
District and Article IV Section 445 "Build-
ing on Lots Less than the Required Size"
of the Zoning Ordinance so as to allow
the construction of a one family dwelling
on the premises located at 25 Rock Ridge
Road in strict conformance with the plans
filed with this application and amended,
provided that the applicant complies in
all other respects with the Zoning Ordi-
nance and Building Code of the Town of
Mamaroneck.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with
the Rules and Regulations of the Zoning
Ordinance where a variance is granted the
applicant shall obtain a building permit
within three months of the filing of this
Resolution with the Town Clerk. The build-
ing permit shall be void if construction
is not started within six months and com-
pleted within two years of the date of
said permit.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this decision be
filed with the Town Clerk as provided
in Section 267 of the Town Law.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before this
meeting it was adjourned at 10:00 P.M.
Rita A. Joh on, Secretary