TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 2, 2009
The East Windsor Zoning Board of Appeals held a Regular Meeting on Monday, November 2, 2009 at the Broad Brook Elementary School, 14 Rye Street, Broad Brook, Connecticut. The following members were present: Regular Members Michael Ceppetelli, Tom Arcari, Mary Buckley and Stan Paleski and Alternate Member José Giner. Also present was Robin Newton, Zoning Enforcement Official.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Michael Ceppetelli. Mr. Paleski read the legal notice as it appeared in publication. A quorum was established as four regular members and one alternate were present. Mr. Ceppetelli welcomed the new alternate member, José Giner, to the Board.
NEW HEARING:
ZBA #2009-17 - Application of Christine Sych for property located at 107 Reservoir Avenue, for a variance of Section 401 Bulk & Area Requirements – Residential Districts, to allow a detached garage to be located within the required side setback. [R-3 zone]
Christine Sych and her fiancé Kevin Paro came forward. Mr. Paro explained that they are in need of additional garage space. He referred to plans and explained that that there is an existing 2-car attached garage and they are proposing to build a new 2-car detached garage that will encroach about 5’ 4” into the setback. He noted that the configuration of the property causes them to encroach onto the setback. Mr. Paro indicated that he has 2 children and she has one child who will soon be driving and they need additional garage space. The well is in the back and there is no way to put the garage on the other side of the house. They would have to add another driveway. Mr. Paro noted that the dimensions of the proposed garage (24’ x 36’) are almost the same size
as the existing garage.
Mr. Ceppetelli suggested putting up a one-car garage instead. They already have a 2-car garage. Mr. Paro said they are trying to combine two houses and two families. They need some storage and are trying to do it in one building. Mr. Giner asked about the height of the garage. Mr. Paro answered that it will be one story. Mr. Ceppetelli said the garage is 24 feet deep. He questioned whether they could turn it so that it would meet the setback requirement. Mr. Paro said there isn’t enough room. The existing garage gives them just enough room to come out of the driveway. Also the property dips down in the back. Mr. Paleski asked about taking another 6 feet off the garage. He said they have to be sensitive to abutting property owners. Mr. Paro
said they want to align the garage with the driveway.
Mr. Ceppetelli opened up the hearing to the public. No one came forward to speak.
Mr. Giner asked if this is a conforming lot. Ms. Newton answered that it is conforming.
MOTION: To close the hearing on ZBA #2009-17. Arcari / Paleski / Unanimous
Discussion and Vote:
Mr. Giner said this is an otherwise conforming lot. He said he was concerned about being less than 5 feet from the neighbor’s property line. Mr. Paleski agreed. He said if they could take off 6 feet it wouldn’t be a two-car garage. He felt that 4’ 8” is pretty close. He said with an overhang you almost couldn’t put up a ladder on the corner without being on the neighbor’s property. Mr. Arcari said it is not really a hardship. This is a newer house. Ms. Buckley also felt that it encroaches a lot into the neighbor’s property. Mr. Ceppetelli said they have to take into account the need to establish a hardship. There is an existing two-car garage on the site. There is room for a one-car garage. They haven’t
established a hardship.
MOTION: To approve ZBA #2009-17. Arcari / Giner
In Favor: None
Opposed: Unanimous
OTHER BUSINESS - Meeting Schedule for 2010.
MOTION: To accept the 2010 meeting schedule. Arcari / Paleski / Unanimous
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Ceppetelli pointed out 2 corrections to be made. On page 1, line 31, should read “…at least 3 drawing variations.” Also on page 1, line 43, should say: “He didn’t think they had proven a hardship.”
MOTION: To approve the minutes of September 14, 2009 with the corrections.
Arcari / Paleski
In Favor: Arcari; Paleski; Buckley; Ceppetelli
Abstain: Giner
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: To adjourn. Arcari / Paleski / Unanimous
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marlene Bauer
Recording Secretary
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