ENFIELD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 5, 2007
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Zoning Board of Appeals was held on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, in the Enfield Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Yarum called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
Chairman Yarum appointed Mr. Furey as Secretary Pro Tem, and seated Mr. Hozempa as a voting Regular Member.
Chairman Yarum asked for Roll Call:
PRESENT: Peter Yarum, Chairman
John Rinaldi, Vice-Chairman
Edward Furey
R. Scott Hozempa
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
Chairman Yarum notified the applicant present this evening that four affirmative votes are necessary in order for a variance to be granted. He offered the applicant the opportunity to postpone her hearing until the next meeting when a full Board may be present. The applicant chose to go forward this evening.
MINUTES
Mr. Hozempa made a motion, seconded by Mr. Furey, to approve the Minutes of April 30, 2007. There was no discussion or amendments. The Minutes were approved by a 4 – 0 – 0 vote.
CORRESPONDENCE / STAFF REPORT
Chairman Yarum reported receipt of the Board’s approval of the Notices of Decision for: ZBA2007-04-01 for Donald D’Angelo; ZBA2007-04-02 for Mark Desrosiers; and ZBA2007-04-03 for Robert Robbins.
Chairman Yarum explained the procedure for variance applications and informed applicants when a variance can be granted.
VARIANCES – NEW
Mr. Furey read the legal notice as advertised May 25 and May 30, 2007.
ZBA 2007-06-01 – Jeffrey Kontner, Applicant & Owner, 15 Howard St., Map 54 / Lot 230, R33 Zone, requesting a coverage variance to construct two handicap ramps - EZO Section 4.10.2H
Mrs. Debra Kontner represented the applicant. After stating her name and address for the record (15 Howard St.), she noted she was presenting the new plan with the two ramps that were not shown on the previously approved plan.
Chairman Yarum clarified the request, asking if this was for coverage only. Mrs. Kontner affirmed this
Mr. Rinaldi asked if construction had begun. Mrs. Kontner responded that construction of the addition had been started but had stopped when she was informed that the ramps would require a variance. She also apologized that Mr. Kontner was unable to attend as he was confined to a wheelchair and currently in a rehabilitation center
Mr. Yarum asked if any member of the board had any other questions. There being none, he asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or against the application. Mr. David Kontner, 15 Howard Street son of Mr. & Mrs. Kontner came forward to speak in favor of the application. He noted that the ramps were for his father who needed them to be able to enter or leave the house.
Mr. Yarum asked if anyone else wished to speak. Seeing none, he closed the public hearing at 7:15 PM.
Mr. Rinaldi made a motion, seconded by Mr. Furey to APPROVE the request for a coverage variance of 3.7%, 20% allowed, 20.62% existing, 23.7% proposed to allow the construction of two handicap ramps and landings as shown on the referenced new site plan addition titled “The Home Store, Customer, Kontner, 15 Howard St., Enfield, CT 06082, Sheet 3A” - EZO Section 4.10.2H
Reference is also made to a zoning location survey titled "ZONING LOCATION SURVEY OF 15 HOWARD STREET, ENFIELD, CT, SHEET 1 OF 1, (and dated) 03-20-06" (as approved for a previous variance under ZBA 2006-04-01), showing the then existing conditions and proposed improvements, and to all documentation and discussion under ZBA 2007-06-01.
Mr. Furey noted that he has mentioned at other meetings that people moved to Enfield in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s and were now getting older. It is inevitable that problems will arise as people need additions and ramps to stay in their homes. Making residences handicap accessible is an issue that will continue to come before this Board and will have to be dealt with in a reasonable manner. He added that the coverage variance was granted the first time and this was only a minor oversight that needed to be rectified.
Chairman Yarum asked if there was any other discussion. Sensing none, the Chairman asked for a vote
The motion was approved by a 4 – 0 – 0 vote.
The reasons for approval are:
1. Based upon the previous application, the criteria for the previous site coverage variance were still in place.
2. The ramps required were an oversight on the original site plan.
Mr. Alsbaugh informed the applicants that the variance would be available for filing on the Land Records the following morning. He advised them a variance is not valid until it has been filed.
Mr. Rinaldi informed the rest of the Board that he would not be able to attend the Regular Meeting on June 25 (if one is held) as he will be on vacation and out of town.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hozempa made a motion, seconded by Mr. Furey, to adjourn. Following a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Kevin Kibbe, Secretary
Enfield Zoning Board of Appeals
jmr