TOWN OF GRANBY
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2012
AGENDA: Iron Horse Solutions/Todd Goldthwait Public
Hearing
Regular
Monthly Meeting
ROLL CALL: Peter Holmes present
– Chairman
Peter
LeoGrande present
Linda
Fadden excused
Sam
Trepasso absent
Michael French present
ALSO PRESENT:
Chairman Holmes called the
meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
PUBLIC HEARING
Iron Horse Solutions/Todd
Goldthwait – 423 State Route
48, Fulton
Tax Map # 288.03-01-16
Chairman
Peter Holmes opened the Public Hearing at 7:03
pm and asked the applicant to explain his variance request because
the paperwork submitted was confusing.
The applicant, like the Board Members, was unclear as to what area
variance he was requesting because the CEO’s had each spoken about different
issues. He received a violation notice
for adding a sign to the business without obtaining a building permit, or
without going thru the ZBA/Planning process.
When the applicant spoke to the Code’s Office to complete the application,
a discussion concerning the business operation developed and possible Planning
Board involvement for a new use of the property could be warranted. Board Member Mike French and Chairman Holmes
asked several questions about the current business operation and the usage of
the previous businesses that occupied the space, as well as questions about the
sign – placement, design, age and size.
The applicant explained that he had placed the sign on the property
approximately 2 years ago ( 6 months before he moved the business in) and that
it was completely movable having being placed on skids. The sign had been designed with safety in
mind and is why the sign was made portable as well as transparent. Chairman Holmes asked how far from the edge of
the road the sign was located because 50’ front setback is required by Zoning
Ordinance and Mr. Goldthwait replied that 50’ is a problem since his building
is probably closer to the road than that.
The retro design was also chosen for aesthetic value in the neighborhood
and to alert people of a business location.
A few neighbors present at tonight’s meeting had the following remarks:
Tim Libbey of South Granby Road stated that he was
concerned about the auto sales business and the potential for traffic accidents
from increased traffic and improper parking allotment. State Route 48 has fast moving traffic with
narrow roadway shoulders and the business location is in a low area unseen by
oncoming cars – this is a dangerous situation and road studies by the DOT
should have been required for this type of business to operate here.
Lynn Moyer – Resides across the
street on State Route 48 and has seen no problems with the traffic, increased
or otherwise. He and his wife also
stated that the retro designed sign was nice looking and seemed to help with
traffic in that being lit at night alerts drivers to a business and possibly
slows down traffic.
Mr.Goldthwait
voiced concern about his choice to move a thriving business from Volney to Granby since his experience
with the Codes Office. He has received
conflicting opinions about a situation that has been in existence for over 2
years. His business has qualified for many licenses which involve site
inspections and can be found displayed along the front face of the business. If he neglected to fulfill a requirement of
the Town, he has no problem with following procedure but needs clarification as
to what is needed.
The
Board Members turned the discussion to the property usage issue and asked Todd
Goldthwait what his business operations were.
Mr. Goldthwait answered that his business differed from the previous,
which was Don’s Garage, only by not having towing services. He had checked with the DMV to see if the
previous business sold cars and was told that it had, he sells only 2 or 3 at a
time and his main focus is his existing customer base not drive-by sales. Discussion ensued amongst the Board Members
and the audience on the age of the commercial use which was established to be
at least 50+ years. At 7:30 pm Chairman Holmes stated that
the Board Members agreed that the Public Hearing would be adjourned until the
February 28th meeting, and correspondence for and against would be
accepted. Measurements of the sign and
building locations, as well as contacting the CEO to attend the next meeting,
is required to determine what if any variance is needed. Chairman Holmes also stated that a letter from
the property owner, Don Miexell, allowing the applicant to request the variance
should be submitted at the next meeting.
Mr. Goldthwait had already presented a letter from Mr. Miexell in favor
of the current sign and a petition signed by neighbors in favor of the current
sign for Iron Horse Solutions.
* * * * * * * * * *
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
The
Regular Monthly meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm.
IRON
HORSE SOLUTIONS/TODD GOLDTHWAIT – Chairman Holmes instructed the secretary to
write letter to Codes Office requesting their presence for February 28th
meeting. Some discussion ensued
regarding CEO presence at regular ZBA meetings.
Board Member Mike French stated that the ZBA should approach the Town
Board and ask for approval of CEO to be present at all ZBA meetings.
TUG HILL COMMISSION CONFERENCE – All Board
Members were supplied copies of registration and session information for the
2012 Tug Hill Commission Conference held on March 29th near Watertown. Chairman Holmes stated that after speaking
with Supervisor Williamson, the Members must complete forms and leave for the
next days business to be included on Town Board Meeting agenda.
Chairman
Holmes commented that Member Linda Fadden was excused from the upcoming meeting
and training session due to illness.
A motion to approve the meeting minutes for September 13, 2011 was moved
by Chairman Peter Holmes and seconded by Member Peter LeoGrande, all were
in favor, motion carried.
With
no other business before the Board a motion to adjourn at 7:51 pm was moved
by Member Michael French and seconded by Member Peter LeoGrande, all were in
favor, motion carried.
Respectfully
submitted by:
Lisa
Somers, ZBA secretary
