TOWN OF SOMERS

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008

 

I. Call to Order:  Chairman Torres called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

 

II. Members Present:  John Torres, Barbara Flebotte, Jerry Young, Daniel Scully, and Edward Mack Sr.

 

Absent:  B.J. Ferro III and Robert Minch

 

Public Hearing was called to order by Chairman Torres at 7:35 P.M.

 

III. Public Hearing

 

1.      1.      THEODORE R. BILODEAU

 

Legal notice was read: Theodore R. Bilodeau of 90 Maple Ridge Drive, Somers, CT is seeking a variance from Somers Code Section 214-98 requirement of 25 feet for side yard setback in order to allow for the location of a proposed above ground swimming pool to the rear of his residence at 90 Maple Ridge Drive, Somers.

 

Applicant Mr. Bilodeau was present and presented his case to the Commission.  His lot is 80 feet wide, the pool is 24 feet in diameter and will be at least 15 feet from the septic tank.  He needs a variance for a side yard setback of 20 feet and 5 feet from his back property line.  His hardship is the size of his lot.

 

2.      2.      SCOTT SIEVERS

 

Legal Notice was read:  Scott Sievers of 340 Watchaug Road, Somers, CT is seeking a variance from Somers Code Section 214-89 requirement for “Horses and Ponies” in order to allow for location of a proposed 80’X120’ Pole building on his residential property at 340 Watchaug Road, Somers.

 

Mr. Torres made a correction to this notice explaining that this is not for a variance of Section 214-89 of the Somers Code, but is for a variance of 214-98 regarding accessory buildings.

 

Mr. Everett Skinner, Co-Owner of the Barn Yard in Ellington, CT was in attendance and presented this case to the Commission.  This is a revised plan for an 80’X120’ building to be used as a covered riding arena with space for storage.  There will be no horses boarded in this building.  The applicant needs a variance of 25 feet from the 50 feet front setback requirement.  The hardship is that this is the only space dry enough to put the structure.

 

A letter was submitted from Norman Ratte of 344 Watchaug Road, an abutter, stating he is not opposed to the variance.

 

3.      3.      HOWARD AND ELLEN SMITHLINE

 

The legal notice was read:  Howard and Ellen Smithline of 10 Hallie Lane, Somers, CT are seeking a variance form Somers Code Section 214-98 requirement of 25 feet for side yard setback in order to allow for the location of an attached rear deck to their residence at 10 Hallie Lane, Somers.

 

Applicant Mr. Smithline was present and explained that they need a variance of 9 feet from the 25 feet side yard setback to build a 20’X25’ deck.  The hardship is the location of the home’s hatchway, the unusual shape of the corner lot and the placement of the home on the lot due to the slope.

 

Jim Furlong of 26 Hallie Lane, an abutter, stated that he had no objections to the variance.  A letter was submitted from abutters Barry and Mary Lynn Jacobs of 36 Hallie Lane stating that they had no objection to the variance.

 

After all discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Mack; seconded by Commissioner Scully and unanimously approved to cease discussion and adjourn the public hearing.

 

Public Hearing closed at 7:55 p.m.

 

IV. Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting continued at 7:58 pm.

 

V.  Minutes Approval – April 8, 2008

 

Motion made by Commissioner Scully; seconded by Commissioner Young and was unanimously voted to approve the ZBA April 8, 2008 minutes as written.

 

VI. Public Hearing Discussion/Decision

 

  1. THEODORE R. BILODEAU

 

After discussion motion made by Commissioner Mack; seconded by Commissioner Flebotte and unanimously voted to cease discussion and vote. 

 

The Commission voted unanimously to approve a variance from Somers Code Section 214-98 requirement of 25 feet for side yard and rear yard setbacks in order to allow for the location of a proposed above ground swimming pool to the rear of his residence at 90 Maple Ridge Drive, Somers.

 

  1. SCOTT SIEVERS

 

After discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Mack; seconded by Commissioner Flebotte and unanimously voted to cease discussion and vote.

 

The Commission voted unanimously to approve a 25-foot setback variance of Somers Code Section 214-98 for an accessory structure.  It was stressed by the Commission that this variance is not for a barn in which to board animals.

 

  1. HOWARD AND ELLEN SMITHLINE

 

After discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Scully; seconded by Commissioner Young and voted unanimously to cease discussion and vote

 

The Commission voted unanimously to approve a variance from Somers Code Section 214-98 requirement of 25 feet for side yard setback in order to allow of the location of an attached rear deck to their residence at 10 Hallie Lane, Somers.

 

VII. Old Business:

None

 

VIII. New Business:

 

Commissioner Torres notified the Board that Jennifer Boudreau resigned for personal reasons as Recording Secretary.  Jeanne Reed was introduced as the new Recording Secretary for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

IX. Correspondence:

 

Commissioner Torres distributed a memo form the Town regarding a mandatory freeze on discretionary spending.

 

X.  Bills:

Motion made by Commissioner Mack; seconded by Commissioner Flebotte and unanimously voted to pay all outstanding ZBA bills including the ZBA bill from the Journal Inquirer in the amount of $424.98.

 

XI. Adjournment:

 

Motion made by Commissioner Young; seconded by Commissioner Scully and unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting.

 

The meeting stood adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

 

Jeanne Reed

Recording Secretary

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING