ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

February 20, 2007

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the classroom located in the lower level of the Municipal Center. Chairman Dunne, Members Vakirtzis, Haug, Smith and Munoz; Alternate Member Sullivan; Deputy Building Inspector Dave Buckley and City Attorney Pisanelli were in attendance. Member Kish was excused; Alternate Members Worthy and Mather were absent.

Mr. Dunne outlined the format of the Board's proceedings for the benefit of the public. The meeting was then opened on a motion by Ms. Haug, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Mr. Dunne noted six members were present and four votes would be needed in order to grant a variance.

Mr. Kish called for corrections/additions or a motion to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2007 meeting. Ms. Smith made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2007 meeting as submitted, seconded by Mr. Vakirtzis. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

ITEM NO. 1 APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY SAXTON SIGN CORP (ON BEHALF OF JP MORGAN CHASE BANK), 404 MAIN STREET, TAX GRID NO. 6054-29-039788, CB ZONING DISTRICT, FOR NEW SIGNAGE ON THE BANK OF NEW YORK BUILDING AT 404 MAIN STREET REQUIRING RELIEF FROM SECTION 223.15(E)(1)(B) FOR THE SIGN OVER THE BUILDING ENTRANCE; AND SECTION 223.15(E) FOR A PERPENDICULAR SIGN

The public hearing on the application submitted by Saxton Sign Corp (on behalf of JP Morgan Chase Bank), 404 Main Street, for new signage on the Bank of New York building at 404 Main Street requiring relief from Section 223.15(E)(1)(b) for a sign over the building entrance; and Section 223.15(E) for the perpendicular sign was opened on a motion made by Mr. Vakirtzis, seconded by Ms. Haug. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Pat Bonney of Saxton Sign Corporation described his client’s proposal to reface two existing signs, on the Bank of New York building at 404 Main Street, with new JP Morgan Chase Bank logos. He reported Chase Bank was not aware that permits had not been secured for the existing single-sided 4’ x 6’ illuminated sign and double-sided 4’x7’ sign. The sign at the top of the building is permitted under zoning regulations but the sign over the entrance and the perpendicular sign require variances. Both sign dimensions will remain the same and no additional signage is proposed.

There were no comments from the public and Mr. Dunne verified with the Board secretary that no correspondence had been received regarding this appeal. Mr. Vakirtzis made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Munoz. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Ms. Haug made a motion to grant the requested sign variances, seconded by Ms. Smith. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Variance granted; 6-0.

ITEM NO. 2 APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY PHYLLIS & THOMAS KELLY, 168 WASHINGTON AVENUE, TAX GRID NO. 6054-32-414830, R1-10 ZONING DISTRICT, FOR A 15’ X 20’ TWO-STORY FRONT ADDITION WITH A 28 FT. FRONT YARD SETBACK (35 ft. required) AND A 11 FT. SIDE YARD SETBACK (15 ft. required)

The public hearing on the application submitted by Phyllis & Thomas Kelly, 168 Washington Avenue, for a 15’ x 20’ two-story front addition with a 28 ft. front yard setback and an 11 ft. side yard setback was opened on a motion made by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Ms. Smith. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Phyllis and Tom Kelly described their proposal to construct a 15’ x 20’ addition on the front of their house to provide more space for their family. The addition will create a more uniform frontage with adjacent homes and will not impact their neighbors. Ms. Kelly explained they only planned to be in this home for a few years and fourteen years later, they are still there and don’t want to move. The front porch will be removed and the addition will remain in line with the existing house. Ms. Kelly reported the trees in front must be taken down because they are damaged and dying. The two-story addition will consist of a bedroom and bath on the upper level, and provide space to enlarge the living room on the ground level.

Don Pomarico, 174 Washington Avenue, reported he and his wife support the variance request and hope it is granted. The Kelly’s are great neighbors and they don’t want to see them leave the area. The addition will also remain in alignment with other homes in the neighborhood.

There were no further comments from the public and Mr. Dunne verified with the Board secretary that no correspondence had been received regarding this appeal. Ms. Haug made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Mr. Vakirtzis made a motion to grant the requested side and front yard variances, seconded by Mr. Munoz. All voted in favor. Motion carried; 6-0.

There was no further business to discuss and Ms. Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Vakirtzis. All voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:45p.m.