TOWN OF SARATOGA

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS DRAFT MINUTES

January 27, 2020

 

Chairman William Moreau called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the flag salute. 

 

Chairman William Moreau welcomed everyone to the meeting and proceeded to review the Rules of the Board.

 

Zoning Clerk Linda McCabe called the roll: Chairman William Moreau – present, Clifford Hanehan – present, Thomas Carringi – present, Clarence Fosdick – present, Christopher Benn – present, Steve Mehan - present, Mark Sullivan - present.

 

Also present: Zoning Officer Gil Albert, Attorney William Reynolds, Edward Lewis, Laura Perez and Todd Bishop.  (Sign-in sheet is on file in the Clerk’s office.)

 

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Mark Sullivan, seconded by Christopher Benn, to accept the meeting minutes of November 25, 2019.   Chairman William Moreau – aye, Clifford Hanehan - aye, Thomas Carringi - aye, Clarence Fosdick - aye, Christopher Benn - aye,  Steve Mehan - aye, Mark Sullivan - aye.

Carried  7 - 0

Approved

 

Public Hearings for Area Variance

 

Lauren Perez & Todd Bishop                      Representative: Galarneau Builders Inc.

1308 Rt. 9P                                                                                 526 Maple Ave.

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866                                                     Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

S/B/L 193.10-1-23 Lake Residential

Location:  1308 Rt. 9P

 

Applicants seek to remove the existing shed and storage structure/one car garage attached to their house and seek a 6.4' side setback variance to construct a three car garage to handle all their storage needs.  The existing storage structure/garage to be removed, is closer to the property line than the location of the proposed garage.

 

Edward Lewis, Galarneau Builders Inc., appeared on behalf of the Applicants.  He stated the Applicants have a deteriorating shed and deteriorating detached one car garage and would like to remove the shed and replace it with a three car garage and once completed, remove the detached storage structure/one car garage.  The proposed three car garage will be further from the property line than the existing structure. 

Applicant Todd Bishop, owner, spoke with the Board explaining the old carport/garage roof is caving in and the shed is falling apart and they'd like to demolish those and build a three car garage.  He reiterated that the existing structures are closer to the property line than the proposed three car garage.

 

After a lengthy discussion, the application was modified to a 6.2' variance as that was all that was found to be needed and the Board agreed this makes the property better. 

 

Chairman William Moreau asked the opinion of Zoning Officer/Building Inspector Gil Albert.

 

 Zoning Officer/Building Inspector Gil Albert responded he is fine with the 6.2' variance as they are making it much better.

 

Chairman William Moreau asked the opinion of Town Attorney William Reynolds. 

 

Town Attorney William Reynolds stated he had no opinion.

 

After providing Proof of Notice in the Saratogian on January 17, 2020, Chairman William Moreau opened the Public Hearing at 7:17 p.m. asking those wishing to speak, to please stand and state their name and address.  Seeing as no one spoke, Chairman William Moreau closed the Public Hearing at 7:18 p.m.

 

Chairman William Moreau asked if there were any further Board comments or concern. 

 

Board Members were concerned with so many illegal apartments put in above garages out at the lake.  After a brief discussion the Board agreed that this variance should be contingent upon no living space above the garage.  That space is to be utilized only for storage.  The Applicant agreed.

 

Chairman William Moreau went through the Balancing Test for Area Variance line by line with the Board; the Board found in favor of the Applicant.

 

A motion was made by Clarence Fosdick, seconded by Christopher Benn, to approve the modified variance of 6.2' conditional upon the removal of the one car garage and that the second floor of the new three car garage will be utilized for Storage Use Only.  Chairman William Moreau – aye, Clifford Hanehan - aye, Thomas Carringi - aye, Clarence Fosdick - aye, Christopher Benn - aye,  Steve Mehan - aye, Mark Sullivan - aye.

Carried  7 - 0

Approved

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business: Reminder: Saratoga County Planning & Zoning Training Conference is February 5, 2020 

 

A motion was made by Christopher Benn, seconded by Clarence Fosdick, to adjourn the

meeting at 7:12 p.m.  Chairman William Moreau – aye, Clifford Hanehan - aye, Thomas Carringi - aye, Clarence Fosdick - aye, Christopher Benn - aye, Steve Mehan - aye, Mark Sullivan - aye. 

Carried  7- 0

Meeting Adjourned

 

The next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will be held February 24, 2020.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Linda McCabe

ZBA Clerk

 

 

~Meeting dates are subject to change~