Village of Bloomfield Planning Board meeting of February 28, 2008

The regular monthly Planning Board meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Skip Delf in the absence of Chairperson Nancy Long. Present were Nancy Witt, Audrey Barnard, Skip Delf and alternate member Nicki Every. Nancy Long and Tom Kugris were excused.

Minutes: Audrey motioned, Nicki seconded and it was unanimously carried to accept the minutes of the January 2008 meeting as submitted.

Special use permit/area variance applications for 17 Main St.

Thomas Wilson and Jenn Przybyl were present to discuss their applications to convert a single family home to a two family home at 17 Main St. Ron Wilson was also present.

The property lies within an R-1-20 district, which allows 2-family homes by special use permit but 150 ft of lot width is required and the lot possesses 111 ft. The total lot size required is 20,000 sq. ft. and the lot has 23,000 sq. ft.

Mike Woodruff, the Code Enforcement Officer, was unable to attend but submitted his written comments.

The following comments/concerns were addressed by the Planning Board

1. Comprehensive Plan discourages conversions on Main St. – primary concern is adequate off-street parking due to many narrow lots.
2. Concern for location of non-compliant above-ground pool within 10 ft of side lot line on the east side and no security fencing. Applicants will properly fence and secure if the pool is salvageable.
3. Although pre-existing, the rear apartment is within 10 ft of the side lot line on the west side.
4. Looked at buffering – bushes and tree on the west side and neighbor to the east has constructed a fence. Existing buffering appears to be adequate.
5. Reviewed section 503 of Zoning Law addressing special use permits and deemed application complete. Reviewed sections 1001, 1010, and 1011 and determined that the application meets the criteria of a residential conversion.

The Planning Board determined that this application is a type II action under SEQR and no further review is required.

Nicki motioned, Audrey seconded and it was unanimously carried to recommend to the ZBA that the area variance of 39 feet in lot width be granted as there will be adequate area for off-street parking and the total lot size is in compliance with the Zoning law.

Nicki motioned, Nancy seconded and it was unanimously carried to grant approval for the special use permit to convert the single family home to a two family home at 17 Main St. with the following conditions:

1. No site preparation or construction will begin until the special use permit is granted
2. The driveway will be improved with at least a gravel surface, with designated parking such that two parking spaces will be located on the east side, two will be located in the rear at the garage.
3. If the above-ground pool is kept, it will be properly secured with a fence and locking gate as required by law.
4. The ZBA grants approval to the 39 ft area variance request

Annual review of the Comprehensive Plan

The Board members reviewed the report of the Comprehensive Plan annual review. The following points were discussed:

1. pg 2 – item #6 Residential – “The CEO should… add…” as well as the unsafe buildings local law adopted by the Village.”

Draft local law to amend the building code local law.

The Board reviewed the draft local law addressing amendments to the building code local law to allow the Village to summarily abate certain nuisance violations and to direct the CEO to send notices of violations to residents when said violations are physically apparent and can be observed without entry on to the property.

Skip motioned, Nancy Witt seconded and it was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.

The next regular meeting will be Thursday March 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Conradt