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Town of Essex Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes April 21, 2014

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Zoning Board Of Appeals

Meeting Minutes

April 21, 2014

The meeting was called to order at 2:59pm

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call:

Bill Bateman, Chairman  Present

Dorothy Bliss  Present

Emily G. Phillips, Secretary Present

James Laforest  Present

Frank Walls Present

Also Present:  Lauren Murphy, Code/Zone Office

Kevin Hall, Surveyor

Nadine Lemmon

Bill Bateman welcomed new ZBA members James LaForest and Frank Walls to the board.

Tax Map ID# 57.01-1-5.1 Cordelia Sand. 2295 County Rt. 10

Chairman Bateman introduced the application and opened the floor to the public for comment. Kevin Hall, surveyor and representative for the property owner discussed the survey map, layout and history of property and proposed subdivision.

Chairman Bateman thanked Mr. Hall for the thorough explanation and asked if the public had any more questions or comments.

3:07pm ZBA member Frank Walls excused himself to answer an EMT medical emergency.

Chairman Bateman moved forward with discussion of the application and submitted a brief summary of the subdivision and breakdown of the property, acreage and non-compliance with Town of Essex Zoning Law. The proposed 84.25 acres takes into account a 3.3 acre parcel owned by neighbors Kapper’s and a 5 acre public road right of way. The Town of Essex does not recognize using publicly owned roadways or properties owned by others in calculations for subdivisions. Therefore the actual property size is approximately 75.95, a shortfall of 9.45 acres of 11.07%.

Chairman Bateman submitted written comments on behalf of neighboring property owner Jim Kapper. Mr. Kapper provided a history of the property and stated is opposition to the proposed subdivision.

Chairman Bateman then asked for discussion amongst the board. Mrs. Phillips expressed concern for the precedent to be set for an 11.07% shortfall, asked if there were any hardships or alternative options the property owner has considered. Discussion between Mr. Hall and Ms. Murphy on suggestions for Ms. Sand to consider. Mrs. Bliss also voiced concerned about the parcel size not meeting the minimum requirement. Chairman Bateman asked for a motion to be made to approve or disapprove the application based on non-compliance with Town of Essex Zoning Law 3.1-6.

Motion to deny the application was made by Emily G. Phillips

Second by Dorothy Bliss

Bill Bateman, Aye. Dorothy Bliss, Aye. James Laforest, Nay. Emily G. Phillips, Aye. Frank Walls, Absent.

Motion to Adjourn by Emily Phillips, seconded by James Laforest. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 3:37 pm.

Respectively Submitted

Emily G. Phillips

 

About Olive Alexander

Although I grew up in Essex on my grandparents’ farm and developed strong ties to farming, I wanted to see more of the world and experience the differences in cultures and people. I spent nearly fifty years in England, New Hampshire, Texas and New Jersey with trips to almost all of the fifty states and Singapore, an incomparable learning experience. I now live on property that has been in our family for three generations and still love the fields, the farms and the animals.