MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2006 - 7:00 P.M.
NOTES ON VARIANCES
When can a variance be granted?
A variance may be granted where such grant will not affect the overall purpose of the Zoning Ordinance, and where strict interpretation of the Ordinance will result in a hardship.
What constitutes a legal hardship?
A legal hardship exists when the Zoning ordinance uniquely affects a parcel of land differently from other properties, and where use of the property or reasonable use of the land would be impossible without the variance. Self-imposed or financial hardships cannot, by law, be considered as a reason for granting a variance.
What other issues affect the variance consideration procedure?
A variance, once granted, runs permanently with the property; there is no connection to the present or future owner(s) of the parcel. Connecticut courts have held that variances should be granted sparingly in order to protect the integrity of the Zoning Ordinance. In particular, state law requires a minimum of four affirmative votes of the five-person Board in order to grant a variance.
Should there be only four members present at a meeting, and should a quorum be met without any abstentions on the part of that Board, an applicant shall be given the option of waiting until the next regularly scheduled meeting for their application to be heard at Public Hearing, or to request a special meeting should time limits require and allow.
PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES
· Public Hearings for Appeals & Variances will be opened by the Chairman;
· Presentations & testimony will be heard;
· Comments for & against the application will be solicited from members of the audience present, and;
· Final comments by the applicant allowed.
· The hearing will then be closed (unless it has been tabled to the n ext meeting), the application discussed by the Board, and a vote taken (a minimum of four concurring votes are required by law for approval).
· Upon completion of the vote, the applicant may leave or remain to participate in other applications before the Board.
THE MEETING WILL ADJOURN AT 9:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 27, 2006
4. CORRESPONDENCE / STAFF REPORT
5. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / PROCEDURAL & POLICY STATEMENTS BY CHAIRMAN
(Legal Notices for the following public hearings were published in the Journal Enquirer on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, and Monday, April 17, 2006.)
ZBA 2006-04-01 - Jeffrey H. Kontner, Applicant & Owner, 15 Howard St., Map 54 / Lot 230, R33 Zone, requesting a coverage variance of 0.62%., 20% allowed, 11.28% existing, 20.62% proposed to construct a handicap accessible addition - EZO Section 4.10.2H
ZBA 2006-04-02 - Adspresso, LLC, Applicant & Adsmedia, LLC, Owner, 540 Enfield St., Map 33 / Lot 63, BL Zone, requesting a freestanding sign setback variance of 9 ft., 10 ft. required, a freestanding sign minimum frontage variance of 3.1 ft., 75 ft. required, 71.9 ft. existing, and a parking area landscape setback variance of 7 ft., 10 ft. required, 3 ft. proposed, existing not applicable, to provide signage and parking for change of use - EZO Sections 10.30.1C, 10.30.5A Table, and 10.10.7A.vi
6. OTHER BUSINESS
· Vote on amendments to the by-laws as discussed at the March 27, 2006 Regular Meeting, as required under Section XIV of the Enfield Zoning Board of Appeals By-laws