Note: Minutes held in hard copy by the Board of Zoning Appeals are the source for, and take precedence over, online information.

Zoning Board of Appeals
MINUTES of RECENT HEARING:

Zoning Board of Appeals

Branford, Ct. 06405

Minutes

The December 20, 2011 hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order by Chairman Robert Harrington, with Larry Fisher, James Sette, David Laska, Anthony Beccia and Alternates Christine Ciociola, Frank Kinney also in attendance.

Minutes of November and the corrected minutes were not acted upon due to the lateness of the hour.

12/20 - 1: Mario Ricozzi and Barbara B. Ricozzi, 22 Seventh Avenue: During presentation some of the numbers differed between the application that was submitted and the A2 Survey they were dependent upon. Questions arose during the presentation as to coverage and the applicant could not answer them so he withdrew his application for reconsideration. When he reapplies there will be a $45 advertising fee charge only

12/20 - 2: Steven Young/Brenda Young, 29 Sunset Beach Road: Jennifer Fisher and Atty. Marjorie Shansky represented the applicant and presented a new plan for a house to be built adjacent to the Sunset Beach that would eliminate several nonconformities and offered exhibits proving that much care was taken in planning the construction so as not to disturb the beach environment and would enhance the neighborhood. The existing seawall would be replaced with a better barrier and protect the beach from future erosion. Several neighbors spoke in support of the applicant citing that it will replace the current house which is in disrepair and would be a good addition to the neighborhood.

Opposition was centered on the closeness to the beach area by many neighbors, including Atty. Edward Zelanski who purported that this was basically the same house presented at a previous hearing where it had been denied and entered several exhibits showing the area involved. The Board considered the changes to the plans and decided that the proposed dwelling was substantially different and was less nonconforming than the originally proposed house. Since the applicant addressed the concerns of the neighbors at the previous hearing and this was a new application it was heard on its own merits. The variances were granted on the motion by Robert Harrington, seconded by James Sette with David Laska, Christine Ciociola agreeing to approve the application and Anthony Beccia to deny. The Coastal Site Plan Review was approved in the same order.

12/20 - 3: Steven Young/Brenda Young, 38 Sunset Beach Road: The application was denied because the applicant based the request on the variance granted in 1992 that was for a shed, not a garage and the board felt that though it might have been approved at that time, a garage was a change of use and was too extreme being so close to a busy roadway on an extremely small lot. On the motion to approve Bob Harrington, David Laska, Bud Beccia and Christine Ciociola voted no, Jim Sette voted yes.

The Coastal Site Plan Review was not considered in light of the denial.

12/20 - 4: Sherry McKee, Owner/Lindsay Marottoli and Salvatore Marottoli, Applicants: 49 Sybil Avenue: Atty. David Gibson representing the applicants explained that the property had an extremely long front yard and the applicant didn't wish to infringe on neighbors water views with the placement of the house. He entered several exhibits supporting history of the deed restrictions on the property. The style of the new dwelling would fit in well with the neighborhood.

Atty. John Parisi representing a neighbor who was opposed, addressed the closeness to his client, who wanted the dwelling placed further to the rear of the property, in which case the applicant would need to apply for a different variance and, due to a deed restriction, the applicant would be limited to the front yard for relaxation and/or entertainment and would leave him no area in the rear for enjoyment nor privacy.

Granted on the motion by Robert Harrington, second by David Laska, with Christine Ciociola, Anthony Beccia and Frank Kinney in agreement to approve.

Adjournment 12:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Leigh Bianchi

Clerk

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