HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA-03/04/2021 Hearing Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK: STATE OF NEW YORK
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TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
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Zoom Webinar Video Conferencing
Southold, New York
March 4, 2021
10:09 A.M.
Board Members Present:
LESLIE KANES WEISMAN - Chairperson/Member
PATRICIA ACAMPORA—Member
ERIC DANTES—Member
ROBERT LEHNERT—Member
NICHOLAS PLANAMENTO—Member
KIM FUENTES—Board Assistant
WILLIAM DUFFY—Town Attorney
ELIZABETH SAKARELLOS—Office Assistant
DONNA WESTERMANN —Office Assistant
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
INDEX OF HEARINGS
Hearing Page
Jim Brodsky#7466 5- 12
Vincent Bertault#7467 12- 26
Vincent Bertault#7468SE 12- 26
Samuel J. Dimeglio Jr. #7469 27- 31
Michael Kreger#7470 31-40
Robert and Donna Drummond #7471 40-44
Cottage on Third, LLC#7472 45- 59
David Zappulla #7473 59- 62
James and Laurie Carney#7474 62- 66
Christopher and Marian Briggs#7477 66- 68
Konstantinos Diakovasilis#7465SE 69- 69
Suffolk County Energy Storage II, LLC#7463SE 70- 89
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Good morning everyone and welcome to the meeting of the Zoning
Board of Appeals for March 4th. Due to public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 the
Zoning Board of Appeals will not be meeting in-person. In accordance with the Governor's
Executive Order 202.1 the March 4, 2021 Zoning Board of Appeals Regular Meeting with public
hearings will be held via video conferencing and a transcript will be provided at a later date. The
public will have an opportunity to see and hear the meeting live and will be permitted to speak.
Let me ask Liz, can you please review with those in attendance how they can participate in the
hearing.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS :Thank you Leslie. Good morning everyone, if anyone wishes to
comment on a particular application we ask you that you send a note via the Q& A tool at the
bottom of your screen or click the raise hand button and we will allow you to unmute and you
can let us know which application you are here for. We'll give you further instructions if you're
using a phone once we know which application you are here for. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Thank you Liz. Before we get to the first hearing I have some SEAR
determinations/resolutions to review. Resolution pursuant to State Environmental Quality
Review(SEAR)6 NYCRR Part 617 the Southold Zoning Board of Appeals as lead agency performed
a coordinated review of this Unlisted Action and hereby issues a Negative Declaration for the
proposed action described below : Suffolk County Energy Storage II, LLC#7463SE. The applicant
is requesting a Special Exception pursuant to Article XV Section 280-62B(5), the applicant is
requesting permission to construct and allow for public utility structures and uses, i.e. battery
energy storage system facility located at 69430 Main Rd. in Greenport so moved. Is there a
second for that resolution?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Member Planamento seconded the motion. Liz would you please call
the roll.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
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OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The motion carries unanimously. Now I have another resolution of
SEAR, resolution declaring applications that are setback/dimensional/lot waiver/accessory
apartment/bed and breakfast requests as Type II Actions and not subject to environmental
review pursuant to State Environmental Quality Review (SEAR) 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 C including
the following : Jim Brodsky, Vincent Bertault, Vincent Bertault SE application, Samuel DiMeglio,
Michael Kreger, Robert and Donna Drummond, Cottage on Third, David Zappulla, James and
Laurie Carney and Christopher and Marian Briggs so moved. Is there a second?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Acampora. Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA :Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The motion carries.
HEARING#7466—JIM BRODSKY J
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The first application before the Board is for Jim Brodsky#7466. Let me
read into the record the Legal Notice. This is a request for a variance from Article III Section 280-
15 and the Building Inspector's December 2, 2020 amended December 8, 2020 Notice of
Disapproval based on an application for a permit to construct an accessory garage in conjunction
with a new single family dwelling at 1) located in other than the code permitted rear yard located
at 1895 Pequash Ave. in Cutchogue. Is there someone here to represent the application. I see
he's already admitted. It looks like you're unmuted. This is an accessory garage in a side yard on
an undeveloped piece of property.This is all new construction and it's deemed to be an accessory
because it is attached by an open breezeway and not conditioned space. What else would you
like to tell us about this application?
JIM BRODSKY : I'm not sure, do you have any specific questions? I think you got it. The original
design of the project was that the accessory structure is connected to the main house with a
continuous roof and the breezeway space between them we were not aware of the limit of 80
sq. ft. to allow the exception that makes the accessory structure okay in the side yard.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well an accessory structure in a side yard is never permitted. It has to
be in a rear yard or it has to be on waterfront properties it can be in a front yard provided it meets
the principle setback.
JIM BRODSKY : The exception I was referring to it was explained to us that if the breezeway that
connects the accessory structure to the main the primary structure is 80 sq. ft. or less then the
breezeway creates an exception for the accessory structure in the side yard. That was our
understanding that may not be correct but that's what was explained to us.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So you're saying the Building Department told you if I'm getting this
right that if that breezeway was smaller it would be considered attached?
JIM BRODSKY :Yes in effect yes but no not that it would be attached it would still be an accessory
structure but there's something in the code that creates an exception for the accessory structure
in the side yard if there's a breezeway that's 80 sq. ft. or less.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Well if that was the case why are we here?
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MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Exactly.
JIM BRODSKY : Because our breezeway is more than 80 sq. ft. It was explained to us that we
excluded ourselves from that exception by having a breezeway that was actually too big.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : How big is it?
JIM BRODSKY : It's about 180 sq. ft. but it's size really is a function of its depth from the street
view which we thought was you know the most important aspect of its dimensionality. The
breezeway is only 6 feet wide which is pretty standard if not smaller than many breezeways that
are part of what has created exception. It's just that the breezeway runs the full depth of the
house connecting the front yard to the back yard as open space.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay well it seems so unnecessary to get a variance when you're
designing something from scratch that's brand new. I mean can you attach it or can you at least
put you know make that a conditioned you can still have a visually transparent see through by
simply putting glass you know around it and then it's conditioned space. Or you can attach it to
the house and make the variance go away.
JIM BRODSKY:Yeah it would be ourfirst choice to be able to build this design particularly because
the driving force of the exterior design and the breezeway was the idea that reminiscent of
stables in the area that you'd be able to move from the front yard to the back yard through the
space outside but you know moving through the house but outside the house. That opened
channel was you know a driving part of the initial design so while there may be some ways we
can change the design and avoid the variance, we opted to try to go through with this because
our hope is to build that initial design given that the breezeway itself is not really obstructive or
large from the street view. You know the whole view of the house is not really it wouldn't be
different if we changed that's the irony here, if we made those concessions or changed the design
in a way that made the variance go away the look of the house from the street would be the
same.The width would be the same,the height would be the same,the opening of the breezeway
perhaps in the front if we put glass in the middle to make it square footage shorter it would be
the same so we wouldn't really be changing any impact on the neighbors or the environment or
the view of the house we would just be compromising the design to work around the rule.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :-Well the Board of Appeals is here to grant relief when there is no
alternative so we'll have to see what other Board members have to say let me see Pat let me
start with you, do you have any questions or comments?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Again I think you just went through this with regard to why not conform
and change the design so that you wouldn't have to come before us for a variance.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
JIM BRODSKY : Right and the answer to that was because the only way we could do that would
be to close up the breezeway and the hope was to have it open.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Or not have a breezeway.
JIM BRODSKY : Right and yes we could change I mean we could change the design in a number of
ways but it wouldn't be the design you know so the breezeway was like I said the centerpiece of
the exterior design of the house given its length to separate that and open that up with space
and light, that was sort of the driving force behind the design and the length of the breezeway
exceeding the amount of square footage that creates the exception was the part that we were
not aware of in the beginning until it was explained to us that that breezeway exception has a
cutoff at 80 sq. ft.
MEMBER LEHNERT :That's not really an argument for variance relief.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Basically you're just telling us you want what you want.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well here's the thing, you're going to get you're going to get a visual
penetration through that breezeway but you're not going to get light you have a roof over it. So
very little light is going to penetrate it. Another option would be to cut down the roof and use
just a patio continue your patio through and make that breezeway shorter. It still accomplishes
the same thing.
JIM BRODSKY : I'm not sure I appreciate it, I'm not sure I understand the suggestion that you just
made.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The breezeway is too long. You can make it code compliant by cutting
down the overhead roof to 80 sq.ft. and continuing the at grade corridor with a patio that wraps
around from the one you're proposing if it's that important to you but you have to show it to the
Building Department to make sure that it's right. You can probably do it by hand sketch to show
it to them.
JIM BRODSKY : Unfortunately I'm trying unfortunately I'm not following your there is existing
patio already
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I know, what I'm saying is put some of that in to the breezeway area
and don't roof over that part only roof over the part from the front yard as far back as 80 sq. ft.
will allow you to go and it will still be considered attached. It would then be code conforming. Is
there a way to well look I don't want to belabor this I mean we're not here to really redesign this
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thing. It's your option to consider making it conforming but the point is I think the Board is
basically saying you have a number of options available to you.
MEMBER LEHNERT : You have a blank slate.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I mean most of the time if a variance is required on brand new
construction it's because there's some really anomalous condition on the lot shape or size that
you know they're just stuck but you have an undeveloped piece of property and you're not stuck
at all but I'm proposing to you a way to retain the essence of what it is you're feeling is significant
as part of your design concept but make it conforming.
JIM BRODSKY : If I'm understanding your suggestion we have to take off a significant amount of
the breezeway roof in order to turn that through space into non-breezeway space?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Yes.
JIM BRODSKY : and only keep the portion of it breezeway space that is 80 sq. ft.?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That's right.
JIM BRODSKY : So then the design problem I see with that is we have a weird break in the roof
on the front slope of the front face of the house because the roof would break before it gets to
the ridge
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Possibly, yes.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Our purview is not aesthetics.
JIM BRODSKY : I understand that I mean you started introducing suggestions so I was just trying
to understand them and we appreciate that. I do understand that's not the point of this but part
of the reason we continued to pursue this is that our hope was to be able to build the house the
way it was designed you know. That's the reason I'm trying to understand your suggestions.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Mr. Brodsky to that point, do you have evidence of prior relief granted
for similar issues as what you're seeking?
JIM BRODSKY : No we were not aware that we should look for any precedence or examples but
we could.We were told you know honestly by the Building Department when it was explained to
us that the breezeway was larger than allowed for the exception it was explained to us that
because everything about the house is still sort of the same. If we connected a wall and made it
attached or if we closed up the breezeway and made it not a breezeway as you guys suggested,
it was explained to us that because all of that is not going to change the impact of the house on
the street or the neighborhood or the height or the width or anything that it was likely honestly
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
that this wouldn't be an issue so we may have failed to prepare for this in that we may have been
misled to believe that this would not go the way it is now going which we certainly respect but
you know this is our first time dealing with something like this and we were not given the sense
that being prepared in the way you're describing would be necessary or you know to our
advantage. We just thought we had to show up and sort of,represen,t the truth
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay we understand.
MEMBER DANTES : What was the name of the individual who told you about the exception?
JIM BRODSKY : It was Amanda who explained to us that breezeways create an exception when
there is either a roof you know a continuous roof that creates the breezeway then creates an
exception for the side yard garage if that breezeway is 80 sq. ft. or less.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Mr. Brodsky in spirit of cooperation I'd like to offer you the possibility
of a little bit of time to think through what you want to do before we render a decision. Our next
meeting is in two weeks. If you want to take a few days or a little while to explore what we've
talked about before we make a decision which would be in two weeks from today. We can just
leave this hearing open and give you an opportunity to explore this further or if you prefer we
can simply close this and have a decision in two weeks. I'm going to leave it up to you. I'm sure
the Board is fine with that, yes nod your heads one way or the other.
MEMBER LEHNERT :Yes.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Fine okay everybody is saying that's fine. It sounds to me like you may
feel a little bit blindsided by this process and we don't want that to be the case with our neighbors
so if there's something you'd like to think through maybe do a little bit of sketching to see what
the change in that roof line would look like,think through other options,think about attaching it
whatever you want to do and if you want to just leave it the way it is we'll deal with it and if you
want to make some changes let us know let the office know call them and we'll look at a possible
amended slightly amended application. Possibly you can go back to the Building Department and
make the variance go away.
JIM BRODSKY : Right, based on what we've talked about it seems to us that if we made the kinds
of changes or re-sketched or you know the way you're describing but it would make the whole
point of doing that would be to make the variance go away and so we wouldn't necessarily need
to come back to you guys with to continue this process if we were going to go down the road of
making those changes cause it would only make sense to make those changes in a way that didn't
require this process anymore.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That's correct.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
JIM BRODSKY : Not a middle ground where we're going to change half of it but still need a
variance.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Right.
JIM BRODSKY : My question would be, if we delay the decision or come back in two weeks as
you're offering and we can find some precedent of rulings that were similar situations or you
know would that help us?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes it could possibly but they would need to be somewhere in the
neighborhood.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I think immediately on Pequash.
MEMBER LEHNERT :Yea
MEMBER DANTES : I'm pretty sure you're not going to find a precedent not for new construction.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I don't think so and there's the vast majority of garages on Pequash
are attached.So I don't know that that's going to be helpful.Why don't we do this, I can see that
you really want to pursue this option. If it's approved it's approved, if it's denied you'll have to
make those changes anyway and go back to the Building Department and make it conform one
way or the other. So let's just proceed that way, doesn't that make much more sense?
JIM BRODSKY :That certainly makes sense to us.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Then I'm going to make a motion, is there anyone else in the audience
who wants to address this application? If so please raise your hand.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Yes there's a raised hand.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Please state your name please.
AMANDA AYZENBERG : Hi my name is Amanda Sena Ayzenberg sometimes my son's school name
comes up. I live in 1.675 Pequash so I'll be neighbors which is exciting. I support my new neighbor
with whatever they want to do. One thing that I noticed on the plan and it looks very similar to
what we have except we have an attached garage is that the garage is going to be on the side
and right now we have some nice screening of the trees for some privacy purposes on both sides
of our property so this might be totally random and not part of what you guys needs to hear right
now but I didn't know if I would have any other opportunity just to understand if there will still
be some maintenance of privacy screening on this side yard?
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That depends on the amount of clearing that the applicant needs to
do on the site or proposes to do.Jim can you address that?
JIM BRODSKY : Our intention when finished with the project is to have a fairly private yard for
ourselves and as well to create the same sense of privacy for our immediate neighbors.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So you're going to try and leave undisturbed whatever natural
vegetation you can on the site?
JIM BRODSKY : No I didn't understand the question in that way.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I think am I correct, you're concerned about tree clearance along or
about planting (inaudible)
AMANDA AYZENBERG : Not necessarily just that there would be some sort of vegetative
screening along the side yard to maintain some of that privacy really and it's only because our
sunroom is full of windows over here so we just want to make sure that it's you know that there's
some privacy towards the back end and the front.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That's basically something you need to talk to your neighbor about
because it doesn't really have an impact on what's before us. That would be a landscape plan
that you know he would have to put up to provide some privacy maybe evergreen screening
along the property line. It's an undeveloped site so I didn't particularly go and look at your
property or if you know I was just basically looking what was along Pequash in general so that's
really not something that this Board can entertain requiring at this point but that's something
that's neighborly and I would imagine you both want a bit of privacy. You always have the option
of putting up your own evergreen screening too on your own property. Is there anyone else who
wants to address the application because I don't okay hearing no further questions or comments
I'm going to make a motion to close the hearing reserve decision to a later date. Is there a
second?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Leslie I'm sorry, were you closing it or adjourning it?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I'm going to close it because we realized that the applicant isn't going
to find precedent and that we can make our determination and if in fact it is not an approval
they'll go back to the Building Department and redesign whatever he has to make it conform. So
there's no point of doing that in advance. He wants us to proceed to see whether or not we will
approve as applied for. That's why I'm proposing to close it, everybody in agreement with that?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Yea let's close it.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay there's a motion is there a second?
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MEMBER ACAMPORA : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Acampora. Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES :Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The motion carries unanimously.
HEARING#7467 𒎽E—VINCENT BERTAULT
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The next application before the Board actually I'm going to open both
of these up at the same time. The applicant has two applications and we're going to be going
back and forth anyway so let's open both of them. Vincent Bertault#7467 request for variances
from Article III Section 280-15, Article XXIII Section 280-124 and the Building Inspector's October
22, 2020 Notice of Disapproval based on an application for a permit to construct additions and
alterations to an existing single family dwelling and construct an in ground swimming pool at 1)
proposed additions located less than then code required minimum front yard setback of 35 feet,
2) the accessory swimming pool is located in other than the code permitted rear yard located at
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
95 Navy Street in Orient. At the same time we have a Special Exception application #7468 for
Vincent Bertault.The applicant requests a Special Exception under Article III Section 280-13B(13).
The applicant is the owner of the subject property requesting authorization to establish an
accessory apartment in an existing accessory structure at 95 Navy St. in Orient. We have Eric
Bressler here and we have Vincent Bertault. It would appear the first application for a front yard
setback and an in-ground pool, house and fence additions and alterations are going to create a
front yard setback of 3 feet where the code requires 35. The pool in the front yard is supposed
to be in a required rear yard and this property of course has two front yards and there is a need
for a Certificate of Appropriateness from Landmarks Preservation for the house on Navy St.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Before everyone speaks, did we ever receive the Certificate of
Appropriateness? I didn't see anything in my file from the Building Department regarding floor
area verification.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I don't have that either, let's ask the applicant.
ERIC BRESSLER : This is Eric Bressler. The answer to that question is no. The application for a
Certificate of Appropriateness is currently pending before the Town Board on an appeal from a
denial from the HPC.The matter is scheduled again to be heard hopefully for resolution purposes
on the 10th before the HPC by arrangement with HPC and Mr. Burke. So the answer to your
question is no you haven't but let me make one further comment about that Certificate of
Appropriateness just so the Board has a full understanding of what the inner play of that
particular application is with this application. Three points, first the accessory apartment is not
before the HPC,second the two front yards the swimming pool is obviously is not before the HPC
and third the points of disagreement with the HPC do not include the porch the proposed porch
which the subject of one of the variance applications. That plan was presented to HPC with a
porch and their initial determination has no objection to that particular aspect.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : What was their objection?
ERIC BRESSLER : Well madam Chairperson that is the right question and that is the reason we are
in front of the Town Board. Our primary contention is that it is impossible to tell exactly what
their objections are because they failed to tell us in their determination as required by code
exactly what was needed in order to bring us into compliance. We have only generalized
statements about the scope of the project so in order to obviate potentially the appeal to the
Town Board and what we view is either a remand or reversal, we're meeting again with them to
try to quantify what their objections actually are so that we can address them but one of the
things that is certain is it's not the porch and the pool and the accessory apartment were never
part of the application.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Can you please bring up the screen share can you just scroll down,
yeah cause that's what we're looking at the yellow okay that's the setback from Navy St. and the
existing house is pretty close to the street.
ERIC BRESSLER : Yes it is and as part of this project not only is the house close to the street but
as I'm sure the Board is aware at the time it wasn't really constructed with a view towards flood
plains.So what we're doing is raising up that house at the same time in order to give us our FEMA
conformance and what we plan to do was add this wrap around porch which as you can see at
no point is as close as the closest approach to the street and it tapers off as the porch moves to
the east.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Eric if I can before we go on to the application, there is a discussion
that there was a determination by the HPC, can that be shared with the Board for our review as
part of our application packet?
ERIC BRESSLER : I don't know that that's going to provide any additional information for two
reasons. Well first of all let me say that's a matter of public record and if you want to see it I am
happy to provide it to you.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Yes I'd appreciate that.
ERIC BRESSLER : With two caveats, number one it's not final because it's on appeal and number
two I dare say the Board is not going to find it very revealing with respect to what the HPC thinks
and thirdly you are welcomed to see that it doesn't impact any of the issues that are before the
Board but that having been said I'm happy to provide it to you.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Can you talk a little bit about since this is what flood zone is this in?
ERIC BRESSLER : I believe it's X. So we need the elevation, we need the 8 feet.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : It's X you don't need that. It's AE that you need that.
MEMBER LEHNERT :You're AE
ERIC BRESSLER : I'm sorry you are correct.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Yeah your plan shows AE elevation 6 feet.
ERIC BRESSLER : So we need to raise it some. There doesn't seem to be any objection from HPC
on that and that's not before the Board but by way of information that's just out there.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well while we're talking about elevations and so on talk to us a little
bit about what's going on with the fill and with soil disturbance within that barn and the back
that is proposed to be converted. Are they digging in there cause it looks like piles of soil are
(inaudible) removed from the foundation.
ERIC BRESSLER : What's going on there madam Chairperson was that there was an application
made and granted to move that barn and what you're seeing is the results of the movement of
the barn and the placing onto the foundation. We have not yet received the necessary approvals
from either HPC or the Building Department to do anything further and of course we haven't
received your approval to obtain the accessory apartment.So that's what you're looking at when
you see that and whichever member went out there and looked at it I'm sure
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : We all did.
ERIC BRESSLER :Yea you saw that,that's the result of the approved movement and all of that will
be dealt with in the fullness of time with the regrading depending of what we get approved.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : So to the point when you mention the word regrading I'm a little
puzzled because I'm sorry we're talking over one another.
MEMBER DANTES : I just thought if they're moving the barn it's in a non-conforming front yard
location so why wouldn't that require a variance?
ERIC BRESSLER : We did not need a variance, we got the necessary approvals.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : From whom?
ERIC BRESSLER : I'm not aware that that required a variance.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Where was it but wasn't originally in there in that front yard?
MEMBER DANTES : Is it a new foundation or is it the location actually changed? I think a new
foundation wouldn't need a variance but the location would.
MEMBER LEHNERT: Correct.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : But I believe the barn was moved.
ERIC BRESSLER :That is correct a new foundation would not need a variance.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Not if it was just lifted.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The location is where it was it's just being put on a foundation is that
what you're saying?
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
ERIC BRESSLER : Yes.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : But then why is the foundation raised so high? I mean it's not common
for an accessory structure to meet FEMA compliancy.
ERIC BRESSLER : I think out of an abundance of caution that's what was done. I don't see that as
a problem.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : (inaudible) grading but the problem is your elevation is so high. It's not
matter of grading it's a matter of bringing fill in with a substantial amount of retaining walls.
ERIC BRESSLER : Well that has yet to be designed. We haven't gotten that far in the project yet.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well you do know the whole thing is going to have to be compliant
with Chapter 236 of the Town's Stormwater Management?
ERIC BRESSLER : Of course.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I think the applicant wants to say is that someone trying to speak?
VINCENT BERTAULT : Yes. Hi my name is Vincent Bertault and I'd like to address your question if
I may.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes please.
VINCENT BERTAULT : You're asking about the grade, we submit the grading plan because there
was a request from the Building Department and we addressed these documents to them and
they've been approved.
MEMBER DANTES : Can we have a copy of the grading plan?
VINCENT BERTAULT : Sure absolutely.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay so you'll submit to us the grading plan and the approval.
VINCENT BERTAULT :That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Thank you okay.
VINCENT BERTAULT : And all of this excavation around the barn that is for all the drain and the
French drain which needs to be applied within the foundation as well as the insulation, that's
what is going on as well. I was requested to do a storm and management plan which is part of
that process as well as the grade and all of this has been submitted to the town and approved.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That helps. You're not putting any kind of a basement in that
foundation?
VINCENT BERTAULT : No nothing of that nature.
MEMBER LEHNERT : No crawl space.
VINCENT BERTAULT : Nope.
MEMBER DANTES : Is the whole house being lifted on a new foundation?
VINCENT BERTAULT : Well that's the plan of the project we submit to the HPC that's part of it
yes. The house has to be raised up as all the foundation are falling apart as of now.
MEMBER DANTES : So why not move it back a little bit and make it more code compliant?
VINCENT BERTAULT : I don't think that would be an issue but we thought of it at some point and
I think the (inaudible) and address that issue. I think even though if we move back the property
I'm not I don't think we will meet the requirement.
MEMBER DANTES : No you'll never get all the way there.
MEMBER LEHNERT : No it's impossible.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I would argue you can push the house back cause you still have the
double road frontage. The barn is where the barn is, the other variances would go away if you
just push the house back. It would be basically where the pool is starting.
MEMBER DANTES : What's the average front yard setback on that block? Are you able to push
the house back to meet the average to make that variance go away?
VINCENT BERTAULT : The average there is 35 feet. You have that on the drawing you have a
dotted line.
MEMBER LEHNERT :That's the required.
MEMBER DANTES :That's required but can you take the average on that block to meet code?
VINCENT BERTAULT : I believe the average is about 8 feet if I recall because we sent that as part
of the
MEMBER PLANAMENTO :The site plan illustrates 17.3 feet. Rob are you saying the same thing as
me?
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
MEMBER LEHNERT : Yeah the house next door on the site plan you know it's not scaled out and
he doesn't show it but it's less than the required 35.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Yeah but Rob on Gary O'Connor's site plan it clearly states on page A-
1, average setback on Navy St. is 17.3 feet based on Peconic Surveyor's PC April 25, 2013.
VINCENT BERTAULT : Yes it does.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : The average setback if they could meet would be 17.3
ERIC BRESSLER :You know there's a further issue that we haven't discussed here and that is that
the movement of a house of this age and construction is an entirely different animal from simply
raising it up.
MEMBER DANTES : No, no, no, no, no.
MEMBER LEHNERT :Yeah, I've moved plenty of houses.
MEMBER DANTES : I've moved them too.
ERIC BRESSLER : This house is over a hundred and fifty years old and that presents I mean you
knowyou're in the industry Member Lehnert,you knowthat movement involves additional costs,
additional risks as opposed to simply raising it.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Correct.
ERIC BRESSLER : Okay so you know those issues
MEMBER LEHNERT : It can be done.
ERIC BRESSLER : Maybe it can be done but here are additional risks, there are substantial
additional costs and if there were a problem with it I'm sure that you would agree that the
problem would be or could be extremely substantial in nature here. So I don't think in the first
instance and I will defer to my client but I don't think in the first instance that was considered as
a viable alternative for those reasons.
VINCENT BERTAULT : Yeah and the cost is not the same.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : But I would argue when you look at the cost of this project overall you
know the barn relocation and the raising, rebuilding additions of an accessory apartment,
swimming pools you know all kinds of raised wall to support the fill that will be brought in to
meet a modest setback average is not that much when you look at the scope of the addition to
the house. I mean while this could be construed even a demolition when you think about the
amount of work that's going on to this particular residence let alone the site.
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Regular Meeting March 4,2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Here's the problem, I mean when you talk about raising it to FEMA
compliance you are talking about a substantial elevation above what it typical in the hamlet of
Orient. Those are old houses, they hug the ground okay we understand if they have to be you
know updated and made safe and so on but'it's not going to be a little house and it's going to be
three feet from a street and it's going to be much higher. There will be visual impacts and you
know that may be one of the concerns for all we know you've obviously stated that the HPC is
not giving you adequate information as to what their objections are but I would be quite
surprised if that wasn't part of their consideration.
VINCENT BERTAULT : No it was not.
ERIC BRESSLER : I think'when you review their (inaudible) determination you will see.that that
was not one of their issues.Their issues relate largely to the extent we can determine they relate
to the proposed addition.They seem to have no problem with raising this up and it's a matter of
several feet according to the survey but they don't seem to have a problem with that.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I think it would be instrumental if
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The character of the neighborhood is one of the first criteria in
variance relief is the character of the neighborhood and its impacts. That's why I raised the issue
then what about the historic nature of the building. It's about what's going to happen to the
streetscape?
ERIC BRESSLER : Well that is the view from the street is going to be essentially the same
VINCENT BERTAULT :The same.
ERIC BRESSLER : and none of the comments we received from HPC or indeed any of the public
comments related to the small change that was going to occur by making this FEMA compliant.
We note that in the area subject to the jurisdiction of HPC that there are similar projects that are
undergoing the same type of raising to protect themselves from the flood waters and they
generally proceed without objection. As to the overall height the height is not inconsistent or
would not be inconsistent with the other structures in the area and HPC is not taking that position
but you can look at their determination. I also want to add that you know after all my prior
comments about other houses in the area, I think madam Chairperson you correctly pointed out
that as these houses get worked on and improved, salvaged however whatever kind of work is
put on them the one by one I would presume that they will be brought into compliance with
FEMA as I'm sure the Board is aware the entire area is subject to that type of requirement so I
think what we're seeing is kind of a creeping compliance with the flood zone requirements and
we're just in the middle of that.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
ERIC BRESSLER : So Eric again to that point of character of the neighborhood and FEMA
compliance the site plan illustrates that the house is ultimately to the same right now when
you're standing on Navy St. and if you want to enter the front of the house on Navy St. you step
up to a front porch on over one step so it's less than a foot above current grade. The application
as submitted shows that the house to that very same front porch level is going to be 8 feet over
the existing grade yet on the site plan you only show two steps because of the front yard setback.
How do you propose access? You say that there will be no change to the character of the
neighborhood and that it virtually will be visually the same where a passerby on a bicycle or a
driving car or whoever is going to be looking at for lack of a better purpose I don't know how it
will be finished the supporting structure under the porch whether it's lattice or some sort of
stone work 8 feet which is almost a full room height with only two stairs to access that
VINCENT BERTAULT : I'm not 8 feet. Hello can you hear me?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Yes we can hear you.
VINCENT BERTAULT : The house as of now is at 6.5. We need to raise the house about two feet
above the existing grade.
MEMBER LEHNERT :That's correct. He's showing elevation 6 in the corner.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : So the house is 6 so it's only going up 2 feet. But why is the barn raised
6 feet above grade?
VINCENT BERTAULT : No it's not, it's raised 3 feet because the ground going towards Willow is
lower than the one in the front. Everything has been done the corner on Willow and the property
next to us on the west side is at 4.2 and we had to raise it to 8.2 so it's 4 feet above.
ERIC BRESSLER : I would also note that if you look at that plan if you look at the stairs that are
shown there it doesn't show two steps it shows more than two steps. So we're looking at a
difference of 2 feet and if you look at that plan carefully you will note that because of the raising
of the 2 feet it may not show from in fact it doesn't but I will tell you that the location of the steps
have been moved to provide for the additional steps to get to the height. They've been moved
over to the east side where there is sufficient room between the street line and the porch
whereas before they were further to the west and there were fewer steps.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay you know what let's for a moment take a look at the 8 feet
proposed unless somebody has something else they want to ask about this for the moment. I'd
like to take a look at the application for the accessory apartment.
ERIC BRESSLER : Certainly.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The code does not permit an accessory apartment to be on two floors.
You're proposing three uses in this barn.You're proposing a garage,you're proposing a workshop
and you're proposing a two floor a two story apartment. Do you want to address that?
ERIC BRESSLER : Well I think that the uses of the garage/workshop can be thought of as one use.
They often go together. I will tell you that I am familiar from personal experience as well as visits
to many properties that garages often contain work benches and workshops so respectfully I
think that we are talking about the addition of the apartment use to the existing garage. Now the
fact that we are before you does of course relate to the fact that we are looking for a variance
form the one floor requirement and we think that that's justified under the circumstances
because if we don't get that relief then the garage workshop use will essentially be lost.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Yes.
ERIC BRESSLER : So that is the basis for that and we really have no good alternative to that
particular situation.
VINCENT BERTAULT : We also been required to have three parking spaces there. So two are on
the lot and one would be inside the what would be the garage. That's a requirement we had for
three parking spaces.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Is the garage space considered a parking space? I don't understand
that.
VINCENT BERTAULT : We have a request of three parking spaces. So two would be in the front
and one inside.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Does that even work? I thought all parking spaces had to be accessible from
the street.
ERIC BRESSLER :Well let me make two comments about that. First, obviously whether it's interior
parking or exterior parking it would be accessible from the street but what we're going to do in
that regard of course if we get relief is to deal with the Building Department and they will tell us
where they think the spaces ought to be and whether they think this qualifies or not. In the
application we have indicated that we will provide the necessary number of parking spaces and
we will do that in accordance with whatever directions that we receive in that regard.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I'm going to ask another question, it's clear that your intent is to
should this be approved build this first so you can occupy it while your home is under renovation.
VINCENT BERTAULT :That is correct Ms. Chairwoman.
ERIC BRESSLER : Absolutely so otherwise it doesn't work.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : We know you're living in that house, we know you have a business in
Orient, we also know you have a place in the city. We do not have tax returns, we do not know
that this is your principal residence.
VINCENT BERTAULT : It's been my primary residence since then years.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay so you still have a place in the city but this is where you occupy
VINCENT BERTAULT :This is my mother in law place.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The one in the city?
VINCENT BERTAULT : Yes I don't have a place in the city. Your archives show an address on 320
East which hasn't been the case since I don't know ten years.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay, you also indicate that your intent is when you move into your
home to have your mother in law live in the apartment.
VINCENT BERTAULT :That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : We have no information verifying that relationship in our file and we
always ask for an affidavit, for some marriage certificate, marriage certificate something to
demonstrate that indeed the potential resident in the accessory apartment is a relative.
VINCENT BERTAULT :That can be provided.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Alright, please do that,that will help. Let's see do the Board members
have anything else to say?
MEMBER DANTES : Yeah I got one thing to say. Looking through the packet I guess we did give a
variance to move the barn at some point because it does say that on the building permit.
VINCENT BERTAULT :Yes you did.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Yeah we did.
MEMBER DANTES : I forgot all about it that.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No we did. Let me see if there's anyone in the audience who wants to
address the application. If so would you please raise your hand and Liz will let you in.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : I'm moving in a Gary O'Connor.
GARY O'CONNOR : I'm sorry I am the architect. I had raised my hand earlier when I heard
something about that you've covered it.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Oh okay. Is there anything else you want to tell us at this point?
GARY O'CONNOR : No I think you've covered it.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay, anybody else in the audience who wants to say anything? Are
we seeing any raised hands Liz?
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : No Leslie, no raised hands.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay, alright Board what do you want to do here? You want to close
both of these subject to receipt of (inaudible) plan, Storm Water Management Plan with the
approvals, a copy of the HPC denial and appeal. We're going to get information as to verifying
the relationship
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Livable floor area.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yep, well we don't know what the livable floor area is as proposed. I
mean it says in here on the plans what the livable floor area is but we don't have confirmation
from the Building Department and I believe that's probably because it's proposed on two floors
which is not permitted.
ERIC BRESSLER : We were told we had to come see this Board first.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yeah you know what happens is sometimes the Building Department
because it's a Special Exception simply refuses to entertain any of it
ERIC BRESSLER : Yes we know.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I know and it galls me because it's not a benefit to the property owner,
it's not a benefit to us. I believe that everything should go through the Building Department so
an applicant understands any and all approval they need before they even begin to start so it can
be better coordinated. We do have an internal interdepartmental form that typically we would
send with a Special Exception to the Building Department, Liz do you know if that was done? Did
we sent this over to Building for Mike to calculate
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : I will look and let you know. I believe it's because it is two floors
maybe there was no comment.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That's what I'm thinking because typically it would be on one floor
and all they do is calculate that it's conforming to the maximum 750 or it's a little above and then
if it's a little above I use that as a de facto Notice of Disapproval and we can deal with it right in
that application but we don't have anything.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
VINCENT BERTAULT : (inaudible) it's also an existing the structure is existing with two floors,
that's the way it is.
ERIC BRESSLER : No the point is we couldn't get that far with them and we agree with you and
we were told that this is the way you know you have to proceed even though I thought as you do
there was probably a better way to come about it. We're before you on their instruction. Before
we move on I just want to make sure that the Board didn't have any questions about the through
lot issue. I think that's fairly you know two front yards
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Are you talking about the swimming pool?
ERIC BRESSLER : Yeah.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I wanted to bring that up,we should talk about the pool, is that subject
to the application?
ERIC BRESSLER : It is. I think that's a fairly straightforward application and we you know we rest
on the paperwork but if the Board has any questions you know we're happy to address them.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I don't I mean it's in the back of the house, it's buffered from the other
street by that very large barn and its impact will be minimal and only on side yards. So it is what
it is, it's a through lot. Nick any question, or Pat, Rob, Eric?
MEMBER LEHNERT : I have no more.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : No questions covered it all.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay I'm going to make a motion we'll do this one at a time, to close
application#7467 for variance relief subject to receipt of the documents we've already discussed
in the record. Is there a second?
ERIC BRESSLER : Madam Chairperson before you take that vote, may I inquire as to whether if
you receive that you know not if but when you receive that information if you have further
inquiries or questions what will be the procedure to allow us to address whatever concerns may
be raised by the Board in response to those documents if the Board is otherwise closing the
hearing?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : There wouldn't be. So if you would prefer I'd be happy to have you
submit those and we can adjourn to the Special Meeting. If we get them in time and have no
further questions I'll put a resolution on to close at the time and hopefully we'll have a decision
that same night also.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
ERIC BRESSLER : Thank you, I just have the feeling that given the nature of the HPC paperwork
that the Board may very probably have questions for us.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Alright, that's fair enough. So I'm going to change that motion. I'm
going to make a motion on that application #7467 to adjourn to the Special Meeting on March
18th and you know what documents we need to receive. Is there a second on that motion?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Lehnert. Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT: Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The motion carries and this will be adjourned to the Special Meeting
on the 18th and we look forward to receiving the related documents. Then with Vincent Bertault
#7468SE Special Exception permit I'll make the same motion to adjourn to the Special Meeting.
Is there a second?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Lehnert. Liz call the roll please.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE,ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The motion carries we look forward to receiving the documents and
we'll see how fast we can move on this. If there are other questions of course we'll just put it
back for another hearing where we can ask and get those questions answered.
ERIC BRESSLER : Thank you very much.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Liz do you want to review quickly how people can participate in this
meeting if somebody is new and just joining us?
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Sure. Just a reminder, if you are here to comment on an
application go ahead and click the raise hand button or send us a note via the Q&A tool at the
bottom of your screen. You can click raise your hand and we will allow you to unmute and you
can let us know who you are hear for and Glenn I see you have your hand raised, I'm about to
move you in as panelist.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
HEARING#7469—SAMUEL J. DIMEGLIO,JR.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : While you're doing that let me read this into the record. Samuel J.
Dimeglio, Jr. #7469 request for variances from Article XXIII Section 280-124 and the Building
Inspector's November 17, 2020 Notice of Disapproval based on an application for a permit to
construct a front porch addition attached to an existing single family dwelling at 1) located less
than the code required minimum front yard setback of 35 feet, 2) located less than the code
required minimum combined side yard setback of 25 feet located at 2280 Deep Hole Drive (adj.
to Deep Hole Creek) in Mattituck. Would you please enter your name into the record Glenn. It
doesn't look like he's muted.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Glenn is there he in not muted. There's also Mr. Dimeglio is
here. I will move him in.
MR. DIMEGLIO : I'm here.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay what about Glenn? We see his name up but we can't hear him.
MR. DIMEGLIO : I know he sometimes has problems with his internet service.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : This is a front porch addition to a single family dwelling at 29.7 feet
where the code requires 35 feet and a combined side yard setback at 24.1 feet where the code
requires 25 feet. This is an attached one car garage with storage loft above. We have Trustees
and DEC approvals with a 50 foot non-disturbance buffer from the wetlands. The house is under
construction it looks like.
MR. DIMEGLIO :Yes.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The foundation is way up in the air with a door above it. We do have
an LWRP consistency recommendation which we just received and what else would you like to
tell us?
MR. DIMEGLIO : Well there was I know this was proposed before but the prior owner Mrs.
Dickerson Peters if it's significant for the Board to consider, under ZBA#6053 back in August 16,
2007 there was a granted front yard variance setback of 4.3 so mine is only a foot more and then
the front porch obviously the house was raised to get us out of the flood zone but there will be I
can assure you the front yard will be raised to grade once the septic is put in and then I'll be
putting in landscaping. I may even continue with the front privet hedges that my neighbor has to
conform. I believe this setback conforms to the area. I live across the street so I can tell you that
it is a conforming it will be conforming to the other homes in the area.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :So you're going to have to raise the grade in order to put in the septic
system in the front yard.
MR. DIMEGLIO : Yes that is correct.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So that foundation a lot of that foundation is going to be covered and
your front door is not going to be not so high up in the air.
MR. DIMEGLIO : Correct madam Chairperson.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : How many steps would you think you're going you do that grading,
have you submitted a plan to the town's Storm Water Management Plan?
MR. DIMEGLIO : I think we did but that's something I'd have to talk to Mr. Just about. He's been
working with me from the outset. Oh yes actually that was an issue that was raised if I recall that
was an issue that was raised at the Trustees hearing last year I attended that that was in person
and if you noticed I have two dry wells that will be installed on both the westerly and easterly
side of the property so I believe those were addressed. The grade will there may also be a
retaining wall necessary if I remember according to the masonry the contractor and the engineer.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Where will the retaining walls be?
MR. DIMEGLIO : If necessary it would be along the easterly portion of the property and the
westerly portion of the property and the front I think will be a natural slope if I remember
correctly.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : How many feet again will those leeching pool for the sanitary system
be buried, how tall are they or
MR. DIMEGLIO : If I remember correctly, on the plans they are I think they're only half the usual
depth so they will I know from the geological survey I had done they find water like 4.6 feet so
the way the engineer designed it the pools will be set I think probably 3 feet not that close to the
water line and then additional fill will be brought in and then the property will be graded so that
there's a natural water flow into those dry wells.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay, you said something about the prior ZBA determination of 2007
granted a 4.3 foot front yard setback?That must have been relief, relief of
MR. DIMEGLIO : Yes correct. -
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I mean nobody is granting a front yard setback of 4 foot.
MR. DIMEGLIO : Sorry I misspoke.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So your house is set it looks like in a conforming 35 feet.
MR. DIMEGLIO : It is, it is I just had the architect design a front porch you know for functional use
if I may and also aesthetics. It breaks up the monotony of the 46 foot wide house and the 16 foot
wide garage. I have a local landscape company I'm going to once I get the final grade I'm going
to have a local landscape company come in, prepare a landscape design that also conforms to
the area.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Do we have a copy of that prior in here? I don't recall seeing it.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Yes 6053 is a part of the application.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : What was the setback granted?
MR. DIMEGLIO : Madam Chairperson I have that, it was 4.3 reduction.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : From 35 feet?
MR. DIMEGLIO : Correct.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : You know I wonder if that doesn't run with the land because we
changed the code to have time limits on variances around 2012 I'm going to guess. If that was
the case let's see so you would still need an additional foot is what you're saying.
MR. DIMEGLIO : Basically on the side that's just the way the house laid out on the plot because
it's a pie shaped lot.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay let's see what the Board has Eric you want to start, questions?
MEMBER DANTES : You're asking for a one foot variance is basically what we're talking about
now?
MR. DIMEGLIO : Basically yes.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well that's beyond what was previously granted but the bottom line
is he's asking for 29.7 feet, the code requires 35.
MEMBER DANTES : He has a 50 foot where is the 50 foot non-disturbance buffer?
MR. DEMIGLIO : If I may it's in the rear of the property on the south side bordering the creek.
MEMBER DANTES : I guess I don't have any questions.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Nick anything?
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MEMBER PLANAMENTO :So just a point of clarification, I pulled out the prior variance from 2007
it's actually a 40 foot required minimum front yard setback and the relief granted was at 35.7
and the applicant is seeking 29.7
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay so that would not apply
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : It wouldn't hold merit exactly.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Thank you so that goes away. Alright anything from you Rob?
MEMBER LEHNERT : I have nothing.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Pat.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Nothing.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Is there anyone in the audience who wants to address the application?
Please raise your hand and we will admit you. Anything else Board or should we close this?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Let's close it.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Let's close this.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay motion to close the hearing reserve decision to a later date. Is
there a second?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Planamento. Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The motion carries unanimously.
HEARING#7470—MICHAEL KREGER
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The next application before the Board is for Michael Kreger #7470.
This is a request for a variance from Article III Section 280-13 and the Building Inspector's January
6, 2021 Notice of Disapproval based on an application for a permit to construct additions and
alterations to an existing single family dwelling at 1) more than the code permitted maximum
two and one-half(2-1/2) stories located at 985 Bay Shore Rd. (adj.to Pipe's Creek) in Greenport.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Leslie quick question before we get into the hearing.Am I mistaken but
isn't there pending litigation on this application?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That's right there is but this is no res judicata. That was for code
interpretation, this is for variance relief from the code which the attorney will address and so
that's why we're hearing it. We were informed that that particular code interpretation is related
to one or two other similar cases and so they're bundling together to be heard by one judge
which is what the delay is all about cause they're similar situations so it makes sense. Steve why
don't you go ahead and say hello.
STEPHEN KIELY : Hello everyone. Good morning madam Chairwoman and the rest of the Board.
My name is Stephen Kiely, P. 0. Box 567 Mattituck, New York 11952. 1 am the attorney for the
applicant Michael Kreger. The subject property is a Pipes Creek waterfront parcel located in an
R-40 zoning district. As such according to the bulk schedule for residential districts the maximum
number of floors is two and a half. Section 280-18 states a pertinent part that no building shall
be erected unless same conforms to the requirements of the bulk schedule. The property is
currently developed is in full conformity with the bulk schedule.The applicant originally secured
a building permit on October 21, 2019 to demolish an existing single family dwelling and
construct a new single family dwelling with pull down stair access to non-habitable unfinished
attic space. Subsequently the applicant sought to make use of the attic as both storage and
habitable space. Thus the Building Department application was amended and the subject Notice
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of Disapproval was issued on November 4, 2019. The reason for disapproval was that the
proposed amendment constitutes a third story and that is why we are here today. It should be
noted that nothing is being changed from the original approved plans other than a dedicated
staircase to a 492 sq. ft. office space within the attic. There will be absolutely no change
whatsoever to the exterior subject home which is almost complete. As such there will not be an
undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood or any detriment to any nearby
properties. The benefit sought of having a small additional finished space within the existing
dwelling cannot be achieved by some other feasible method other than the variance request.
The applicant and his family have two young children ages two and four, he's an investment
management. COVID has caused the applicant along with other members of the local community
to reevaluate the utility of their homes. A home went from predominantly being a respite from
work and school to now by a necessity a multi-functional space. Homes have traditionally if space
allowed had a home office but it was a mere luxury. Now it is critical. Telecommuting now has
become normalized and who knows how (inaudible) the pendulum will swing back. Technology
has allowed for it to be more cost effective. According to the (inaudible) Institution up to half of
American workers are currently working from home more than double the fraction who worked
from home at least occasionally in 2017/18 and telecommuting will likely continue long after the
pandemic. Therefore as anyone with kids knows a space that is both quiet and not easily
accessible in order to work is very rare and very desirable as member Dantes can probably attest
and certainly has already his child visit him on the Zoom meeting. Here in this situation such a
place exists and that place is the attic which would not require any new construction and is readily
available. It also is desperately needed for the applicant who handles extremely sophisticated
financial transactions at different (inaudible). The applicant is merely seeking to finish what
dimensionally amounts to a half story into a home office. The location meets both the quiet and
not accessible at least for toddler's requirements. The applicant has already outfitted the space
with a fire suppression system in full compliance with the state requirements. The subject
property due to the water table has no basement.Thus a basement which would otherwise meet
those requirements of quiet and lack of accessibility is not an option here. Further in addition to
the dwelling would not be a viable option as well because since it is a waterfront parcel within
the jurisdictional limits of the D.E.C. and the Trustees approval would be required from those
entities and the D.E.C. prefers that non-permeable structures be limited and any addition if
approved would require two to one revegetation give back which we would not be able to meet.
Further the combination of the (inaudible) for the parcel along with the location of the Trustee
imposed non-disturbance buffer along with the location of the pre-existing detached garage and
the location of the propane tanks with applicable setbacks and the septic system which requires
its own setbacks makes an addition virtually impossible. Additionally, the applicant and his wife
want to limit the mass of the dwelling and I'm sure the neighbors would appreciate the currently
sized home versus more construction. Also there obviously would be a fiscal harm suffered by
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the applicants if they had to build an addition versus retrofitting an existing space. Further, the
designated as the first floor study in reality is going to serve as a playroom and home schooling
area for the kids. As to the substantiality of relief requested it should not be evaluated in the
(inaudible) but rather in context with harm and here there is no harm to the community nor the
neighbors. Additionally the variance will not have any adverse impact whatsoever on the
environment cause again there's no change to the exterior nor the bedroom count which could
create septic consequences.As far as this being self-created I would argue not because as alluded
to earlier COVID has necessitated the home office use. Admittedly prior to COVID the applicant
sought to use the area as a sitting room but now the need for a home office trumps such a passive
recreational use. The grant of this variance would be the minimum action necessary and
adequate to allow the applicant to enjoy the benefit of a usable home office because no
construction would be required. Additionally the applicant will limit the use of the attic
exclusively to home office and it will never be used as a bedroom. Lastly there's been precedent
by this Board granting at least twenty four third story variances including applications 4968,4984,
5007,5330,5815,6112,6245, 6391,6512,6519,6591, 6620,6664,6680,6744,6800,6823,6848,
6904, 6920, 6984, 6993, 7200, 7214 and as these variances are spread throughout the town not
localized here I just think in this particular matter since the variances for this type of request
generally don't have any impacts to the community again their existing structures and a two and
a half story dwelling is generally as of right it's irrelevant as to the exact location in the town.
MEMBER DANTES : How many of those variances involve a sloping piece of property?
STEPHEN KIELY : I can't tell you how many I'm just telling you generally speaking there's twenty
four grants of a third story variance. In accordance with the aforementioned reasons I
respectfully request that the subject area variance be granted as the benefit to the applicant
greatly outweighs any harm to the community. Are there any questions?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Stephen I cannot find a floor plan of that proposed attic space that
you're describing. What I've got is a floor plan that's showing attic floor framing plan. The attic
plan those are bedrooms and bathrooms. Now I'm trying to find an attic plan.
STEPHEN KIELY : You said you looked at A-1.04?
MEMBER LEHNERT : I've got that one.
MEMBER DANTES : Mine says sitting area.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Mine says sitting area too. That's the one that has a stairwell in the
middle of the area.
STEPHEN KIELY :Yes.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I'm looking for it. Do we have it, can we put that up on the screen?A-
1.04
MEMBER LEHNERT : Before we get to this Steve, can you send us the lists of all those variance
numbers you just read off?
STEPHEN KIELY : Absolutely.
MEMBER DANTES :Also (inaudible) siting the Brookings Institute,what is exactly is the Brookings
Institute?
STEPHEN KIELY : It's some Washing D.C. based think tank so I was looking for statistics and the
Google machine led me to the Brookings Institute, it's well respected.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : It's a highly respected national organization of research. Here we go,
A-1.04 I'm getting old I need a magnifying glass they're small plans.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : So the only comment here on this what Liz is showing us right now
which I don't understand you have the stairwell on the center of what would be considered the
office where it's labeled sitting area but then you have the finished storage and of course the
code does not allow finished storage.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Mine shows unfinished storage.
STEPEHN KIELY : Yeah that was changed.
MEMBER LEHNERT : My question there would be there's no wall between unfinished and the
finished.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Exactly.
STEPHEN KIELY : Well what we're doing like we came here today and we take all your comments
into account, we just didn't want to expend any more money on this and we're showing you the
area that would be utilized for the office and if you require that there be a wall with a door or
whatever you want to do that's up to the Board. We tried to utilize the half story definition and
limit the space there. If you have the authority to expand it if you think we're entitled and use
the extra space that's great but right now that's where we are planning on having the office
space.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Is that because of the sloping roof, because of the ceiling heights or
what because that is a very, very odd shaped for an office and it's in an open area and it looks as
though the entire footprint the entire area is going to be finished and attic space is unfinished
space, storage space. An office yes that can be finished and it usually is contained in an area that
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doesn't necessarily have a stair in it because it it's not utilizing the space efficiently if you really
want to have an office.
STEPHEN KIELY: No, no, no we again we were looking towards the half story definition and that's
where we came up with the proposed footprint for the office.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Does that have to do with ceiling height and square footage or what?
STEPHEN KIELY : Yes that's the area 7 foot 6 or greater.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :That's what I'm thinking but you'd have to move the stair out of you're
going to turn it into a room and you gotta block it off from all of the other attic storage space.
I've been involved with a number of variances for third story spaces most of them being sitting
spaces or viewing balcony or you know very benign no bathroom, no plumbing up there you know
just one room strictly for non-sleeping purposes and so on.
STEPHEN KIELY : Yes and that's what we are looking for, there's no plumbing proposed for up
there. It's purely as I said going to be used for home office space. Now again we're willing to
redesign it and like maybe the office where it says finished storage and then make the other like
it's fine with us. We're asking for a variance cause now we're in third story world and I'm asking
for a variance for a home office.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Understand.
STEPHEN KIELY : Like I said, we would welcome any comments from the Zoning Board that the
thing is the staircase is already there, it is what it is as far as the location of the staircase. I went
up there and you're welcome to come and take a look at it yourself and it's not ideal but can you
make an office space in that area, yes you can.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I mean how big is the office space, how many square feet?
STEPHEN KIELY : It's about 492 square feet in that shaded area.
MEMBER DANTES : How many square feet of livable living space is the entire house?
STEPHEN KIELY : I don't have that readily accessible but I can get it for you. The set of plans that
I have in front of me don't have that calculation.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Steve the way that you have the illustrated ceiling height running
parallel to the stairwell on the plan that I hope you can see that Liz has up, do you have a similar
ceiling height going perpendicular? In other words the area that's marked finished storage or is
that a lower roof height?
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
STEPHEN KIELY :That's lower.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : That's what I thought.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well it's not all I can tell you is that the way this is laid out the shaded
area is just simply a dimensional area without any boundaries, it's part of the attic it's just the
third floor okay and what you need is to show us a room okay and it has to be blocked off from
the attic unfinished storage space.
STEPHEN KIELY : Just so I'm clear, again we're asking for a variance to use the third story so
arguably we could ask for the entire space but we're not so you want me to come in and show
you a redesign element where there would be unfinished storage segregated from the office
space?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes.
MEMBER DANTES : She wants you to give us a design showing what you're asking for.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Right now there's no definitive anything you know. You got doors
going out to an I don't know a porch a roof porch.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : No I think that's a knee wall those are storage.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yea,yea,yea okay. So you know come back with a plan that shows us
a room that's going to be an office.
STEPHEN KIELY : Alright, in the alternative I would ask you know for that entire space to be legal.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Well then just show us that segregated from the space that's not the office.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well wait a minute, he's asking for the entirety of the third floor to be
an office.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Oh okay.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : When in fact what you're calling it is an attic storage you're saying
there's no basement,they need storage.There's attic storage it's back and forth, one minute it's
finished then it's unfinished. If it's finished
STEPHEN KIELY : No, no, no I think I made it very clear that the need is the office space. We have
a detached garage for storage and because I know this Board is adverse to you know granting
third story variances and I came in here asking for an office in that area and the previous
application that was referenced by Mr. Planamento asking for an interpretation we were saying
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that that area in the shaded is a half story. So I'm open to suggestions but we could utilize the
whole space if you grant us the variance for that. Again it would be solely used as an office.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : And what is the square footage of that whole area?
STEPHEN KIELY : I can get you that.
MEMBER LEHNERT :Also in the plan anything over 5 feet of headroom is 1,074 sq. ft.
STEPHEN KIELY : Yes.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well, you've read all the variances Stephen and you know we never
granted an area unhabitable usable area on the third floor that's that big.
STEPHEN KIELY : Okay that's fine and
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : They've been for small functional rooms usually with storage,
unfinished storage and sprinkled by State code.
STEPHEN KIELY : We're sprinkled already. So I would definitely go back to my client and ask them
to design an office storage hybrid space and I can definitely present that to you.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : One of the other things I'm wondering about from the standpoint of
use let alone the fire suppression or emergency access but when you get to the top of the stairs
there is that are I don't know it's 10 feet by 10 feet square,there's one window. Is there sufficient
fenestration?
STEPHEN KIELY : Sufficient what?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Fenestration,the size of the window. I don't remember during my site
inspection (inaudible)the scale of that window.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Nick I think the sprinkler trumps the egress window.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : No I'm not talking just for egress I'm talking for natural light and
ventilation.
STEPHEN KIELY : Oh yeah there's plenty. I have unfortunately pictures on my phone here.
MEBMER DANTES : You don't need ventilation anymore with the new HERZ rated houses.
STEPHEN KIELY : No but we have plenty of ventilation and light from the windows.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Because that would only in my mind's eye if there was any relief
granted that's the only logical spot.
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STEPHEN KIELY : Which is where it's designated finished storage?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : No at the top of the stairs that square area.
STEPHEN KIELY : Okay.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : There's windows on the front and the rear elevation.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Yeah where it says sitting area.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Right but then you'd be granting relief for the whole area which you
know is larger than most other I mean I'd argue substantial.
MEMBER ACAMPORA :You need to give us the numbers.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Look, look at the other variances, look at the size of the spaces that
have been granted previously. We will too because you're going to submit those applications to
us and I completely agree with you Stephen that this is not character of the neighborhood
related, it's use related and so anything from anywhere in this town that has received relief for a
third story space is relevant and it doesn't matter where it is in town. So if we can have a look at
that and you have a look at that and come back with a plan that shows a comparably sized office
and you know segregate it finished,segregate it from unfinished storage.Why don't we just then
adjourn this to the next hearing date and you can submit it, we'll take a look at it and if we have
any questions we can answer them, discuss them and all that and then we can make a
determination. Does that make sense?
STEPHEN KIELY :Yes perfect.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Is that alright with the Board?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Yes absolutely.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Yes.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Anyone else in the audience who wants to address the application?
Any hands Liz?
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : No, we have some Q&A from anonymous but I don't know if
we entertain that.
MEMBER DANTES : I don't think we should.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No.
MEMBER LEHNERT : No not from anonymous.
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OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Other than that no, no hands.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Alright, then I'm going to make a motion to adjourn this application
to wait you want to adjourn this in case we don't need another hearing is that what you're saying?
STEPHEN KIELY: If the Board is fine like can we almost think of this as like a written comment and
if I submit it and you guys look at it and you talk about in the work session and then we don't
need it the necessity of another public hearing.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No here's what we'll do, I will adjourn it to the Special Meeting. You
will submit what you're going to submit. If we have any questions we will adjourn it to another
hearing, if we don't we will close it and (in audible),determination.
STEPHEN KIELY : Alright.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Alright, everybody good with that? Okay motion to adjourn to the
Special Meeting which is March 18th subject to receipt of revised attic floor plan and also for the
priors that were mentioned by you Steve.
STEPHEN KIELY : Okay.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Lehnert. Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The motion carries unanimously.
HEARING#7471—ROBERT and DONNA DRUMMOND
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The next application before the Board is for Robert and Donna
Drummond #7471. This is a request for variances from Article III Section 280-15, Article XXIII
Section 280-124 and the Building Inspector's December 16, 2020 Notice of Disapproval based on
an application for a permit to legalize "as built" deck addition with hot tub attached to a single
family dwelling and to legalize an "as built" accessory shed at 1) "as built" deck is located less
than the code required minimum side yard setback of 10 feet, and 2) "as built" shed is located in
other than the code permitted rear yard located at 675 Private Rd. #12 (adj. to Corey Creek) in
Southold. This "as built" deck addition with hot tub has a side yard setback at 8.1 feet where the
code requires 10 and secondly the shed has a front yard setback of 13.7 where the code requires
35 for the principle setback in the front yard and side yard setback of the shed is 1.7 feet where
the code requires 5 feet. I think that kind of covers what the variance relief is. Just so you know
we've all visited the property and inspected it so we've seen the neighborhood,we've seen what
it looks like,seen the shed and all of that. So what would you like to tell us about the application?
JENNIFER WICKS : Robert I don't know if you want to speak first or
ROBERT DRUMMOND : I'll let you take the lead there.
JENNIFER WICKS : I just wanted to say that the side yard variance for the deck is rather small it's
I guess 1.11 feet. I know there are similar variances in the neighborhood. As for the shed being
in the front yard, I know there's issues with flooding in the rear, to keep equipment safe and
other issues is why the shed is placed in the front yard.
MEMBER DANTES :You're allowed to have the shed in the front yard aren't you?
JENNIFER WICKS : I believe it's 35
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : That would have to moved way back, way back because yes if it's 35
feet from the street which is a private right of way actually you know then it would be allowed.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Jennifer also could you just clarify you said that the hot tub deck was
1.5 feet off the lot line (inaudible) shed.
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JENNIFER WICKS : No, no, no that's what we're asking for, it's a 10 foot side yard it's only
MEMBER PLANAMENTO :The reduction, exactly.
JENNIFER WICKS : Yes.
MEMBER LEHNERT : It's 8.1 off-the side yard.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : and 10 foot the code requires.
MEMBER LEHNERT : 1.9 foot of relief through a portion of that.
MEMBER DANTES : How far is the house from Windy Point Lane?
JENNIFER WICKS : I believe oh I'm sorry from Windy Point Lane, it's approximately
MEMBER LEHNERT : 46% it says,
MEMBER DANTES : So why not just move the shed? I mean that seems pretty simple.
JENNIFER WICKS : I will ask Robert to answer that.
ROBERT DRUMMOND : (could not hear him)
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I'm sorry Robert we're really not able to understand you.
MEMBER DANTES : I mean it seems the side yard setback are 5 feet too so it would need to be
moved either way for both.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Excuse me I just moved in a Donna Drummond is that relation
to you?
JENNIFER WICKS : Yes.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Maybe you can answer this question, did you get Trustees approval
for the bulkhead setback?
DONNA DRUMMOND : Hi can you hear me, this is Donna Drummond.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Hi Donna.
DONNA DRUMMOND :So yes thank you all for having us today. So yes we have Trustees approval
for the bulkhead and at that time the Trustees approval was received for the deck extension.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay that's important cause it's pretty darn close to the bulkhead I
have to say. Although there's another house right nearby that's even closer. Well I want to point
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something out, not to make or break an application and that's not up to the Board it's up to the
applicant but you know there is the shed is very old. The decks are very new and that shed is
sitting with the same side yard setback and the same road frontage as this great big accessory
garage right next door the shared property line and it's screened from view with evergreen
screening. I don't think it has any visual impact whatsoever on anything there and yeah it can be
picked up and moved or it can be removed. It depends on exactly how much need you have for
that shed.
DONNA DRUMMOND : So we utilize that shed for storage of our kayaks and our bikes and things
like that and we don't have adequate space for that in the house. I just want to point out we
didn't build that shed it was there when we purchased the property.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well that happens all the time but you know that doesn't mean that
it was done legally and unfortunately the new homeowner gets stuck with the consequences of
what somebody else did before you. Let's see if people have any Pat do you have any questions
about this one?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : No I don't have any questions just the matter of the shed.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : How about you Rob, anything?
MEMBER LEHNERT : No this is pretty benign.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Nick.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Agreed, no questions.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Eric.
MEMBER DANTES : No.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Yipee,we might be able to eat sometime today who knows. Okay let's
see actually I also noted that the house right next to you also has first and second story decks on
the waterside of the property and it's a setback from their bulkhead farther but if you have
Trustees approval that's that. I don't actually have any other questions, let's see if there's
anybody is there anybody in the attendees who wants to address the application, any raised
hands? So there's nothing there then. Alright, well then I'm ready to close how about you Board
members, yes?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Yes.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I'm fine with that.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I'm going to make a motion to close the hearing reserve decision to a
later date. Is there a second?
DONNA DRUMMOND : I'm sorry can I ask why?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : What we're doing is saying we've heard everything we need to hear.
The Board doesn't make decisions at public hearings. What we do is gather all the information,
get questions answered put all the issues out and see what the neighbors might have to say. We
meet again in two weeks.That is called the Special Meeting and at that time we will have a draft
decision prepared and that's open to the public to listen, it's not a hearing there's no testimony
from anybody. If you want to attend it it's another Zoom we're happy to have you listen in. We
will debate and deliberate on the draft that's before us. Then we'll vote on it and then we will
send it to you I will go in the next day and sign it then it becomes legal. We send it to the Town
Clerk for filing then we mail it out to homeowners.
DONNA DRUMMOND : Okay thank you.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So that's the procedure. So what I'm saying is I think we've heard
everything we need to hear so I'm going to close the hearing section which means we will have
a decision two weeks from today. We meet at around four or five o'clock in the evening.
DONNA DRUMMOND : Okay thank you very much.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : You're very welcome.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : We need a second.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Pat seconds, Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
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OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The motion carries unanimously we will have a decision in two weeks.
The agenda will be posted with the time, with the link and all that stuff so you can join in if you
wish to. It's not necessary but if you would like to this is a public meeting so the public is invited
to attend. Okay Board we caught up.
MEMBER DANTES : There's a Bill (inaudible) on the chat that says shame on you for permitting
this mcmansion. Should we explain that we didn't actually approve this through area variance it
was done through Building Department and not us.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Yeah exactly.
MEMBER LEHNERT : Is it the anonymous guy?
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : No he sent that after we closed it up. The anonymous I don't
know who it was.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well out of respect for the public I think Eric is right, we should let it
be known that the house was built as of right approved by the Building Department with a
building permit. The only reason it's before this Board is because they want to use a third floor
for habitable space namely an office and that's why they're here because the code only allows
it's conforming in height, it's conforming in setbacks so the code only allows two and a half stories
which this qualifies as but we have granted variances when something is finished it becomes a
third story. If it's not just storage, attic storage if they have a full staircase going up to it and it's
finished then it's considered habitable. That's why they are before us. So the Zoning Board did
not permit this, the town code permitted it. Alright I don't know if that person is even here to
hear the answer to that but anyway that's what it is. So we have a lunch break coming up I guess.
We will resume with the next applicant Cottage on Third at one o'clock. I'm going to make a
motion to recess to return to say five minutes to one just so we're all ready.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Second.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Planamento. All in favor raise your hands.
Motion carries unanimously.
HEARING#7472—COTTAGE ON THIRD, LLC
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I'd like to make a motion to reconvene the meeting, is there a second.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Acampora. All in favor raise your hands. The
motion carries unanimously. The next application before the Board is Cottage on Third, LLC
#7472. This is a request for a variance under Article XXIII Section 280-124 and the Building
Inspector's January 13, 2021 Notice of Disapproval based on an application for a permit to
construct a new accessory pool house/garage at 1)more than the code permitted maximum lot
coverage of 20% located at 850 Third St. in New Suffolk.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Leslie, should I read the instructions on how to participate? If
anyone wishes to comment on an application we ask you that you send us a note via the Q&A
tool at the bottom of your screen or click the raise hand button and we will allow you to unmute
and let us know which application you are here for. If you are using a phone it's *9 to raise your
hand. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So this is a request for a new accessory pool house, one car garage
with a multi-purpose room half bath, outdoor shower that will create a lot coverage of 22.9%
where the code allows a maximum of 20%. Good afternoon,what else would you like us to know
about this application?
GARY STEINFELD : Good afternoon. I think everybody is familiar with this project. We have an
existing new house on the lot with a swimming pool and as you stated we are requesting an area
variance for lot coverage from 18.76%to 22.91%. We made a previous request in the past for a
larger garage a 20 by 24 that had a 25.47% lot coverage which was denied so we've reviewed the
property and made a significant reduction on this new plan that hopefully would be satisfactory
to the Board which brought us down to stated 22.91% coverage.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : What is the current again?
GARY STEINFELD : The current coverage right now with the house and pool is 18.76% and we're
proposing 22.91%with a 15%foot by 22%foot garage/pool house. It will be a dual use structure.
I submitted along with my application package to the Board a number of similar variances
throughout the New Suffolk area over the past few years as well as the rest of the town but
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there's five of them in New Suffolk that I listed specifically the most recent one is 16500 Main St.
which is on the southeast corner of Main St. and 4th' St. in June of this past summer similar
scenario multiple buildings on the lot and a request for a swimming pool. They were granted a
variance of to a 28.4% lot coverage. There's a few others on that list that you probably have in
front of you. There's Jackson St. that had 26% lot coverage that was ZBA 6462, there's a 27.4%
lot coverage ZBA 3873, a 23% lot coverage#6931 and then we also have a lot coverage of 24.8%
#6270 so there's a few examples around the New Suffolk area and there's others as well that
show a higher than a 20% lot coverage.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Gary were any of the numbers that you cited were those for new
construction?
GARY STEINFELD : I would have to go back and see. The Jackson St. was a fairly new construction
and I would have to see if the Main St. one that you guys you had discussed that (inaudible) it's
not that's a modification although that's a 28.4%versus 22.91%so we're actually asking for quite
a bit less relief compared to something that's existing. Jackson St. was new construction but a
pool and some storage sheds and that was at the 26% lot coverage.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Did you email those in Gary?
GARY STEINFELD : I submitted those as part of the initial package.
MEMBER DANTES : (inaudible) I don't see the decisions themselves.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I don't either.
MEMBER DANTES : But there is a list of the decisions.
GARY STEINFELD : Yeah I didn't give you the actual decisions, I gave you a list but I can download
the decisions if that's helpful for you.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I think it is, download them and just send them to the office and they'll
forward them.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I think it's really for the new construction. I don't know if an existing
house would be the same thing as this.
GARY STEINFELD :Just to give some history on this property, the previous house that was on the
property had a house and a 10 by 20 storage garage or storage shed and that was at a 20% lot
coverage about 19.6% lot coverage. When we built the new construction we built on the same
footprint as the previous house with less front yard exceptions on the variance so you know
essentially from what was there previously from a lot coverage point of view you know it's
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essentially it's the addition of the swimming pool that would change from the past history to
where we're going to end up currently.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : And I have to say while you might have built on top of the existing
footprint I mean the structure itself does not have the same character that the original structure
had and in my opinion just as a member of the Board I think it's you know perhaps it's something
that we have to revisit when applicants look to build on existing footprints. It's truly a unique
situation.
GARY STEINFELD :Yes I agree also. I think we went out of our way
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I think it's substantial.
GARY STEINFELD :There's a very prominent red barn on the property next door so you know the
design and the shape of this house was looked upon to try and fit in with that shape as we move
further up the hill.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : If that had been a one story house you might have made a convincing
argument about the scale of it.
GARY STEINFELD : Right and I think that's some of the reasons we did a significant reduction from
the previously requested 25.47 down to the 22.91 which is below most of what's been previously
given in New Suffolk itself proper including new construction.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well we'll take a look at new construction for prior precedent but
certainly when people build from scratch they sort of have an obligation to attempt because they
have an opened slate as to what to do to try and conform to the greatest extent possible. We
could have required a greater front yard setback and you know with the lot coverage was
egregious there was no need for that. Apparently you were able to put the pool in anyway and
still have a conforming lot coverage and now you're going to have to prove the absolute necessity
for a pool house and a garage on top of it.
GARY STEINFELD : Both swimming pools and garages used to go on record are accessory uses that
are common in the Town of Southold and New Suffolk. That was stated on the record by the
Board itself also if we look back at the Minutes from our last meeting. The Board also felt at that
time that the size of the garage at 24 by 20 was considered a small garage and the swimming
pool was considered a standard sized swimming pool. So again I'm not arguing over the lot
coverage discussion but the structures that we're asking for are you know over what is normal to
the character of what is acceptable in the town it's the lot coverage. The garage itself is a very
small building, it's really the size of you know a large shed versus a full sized garage. It's not even
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considered from architectural standards to be a one single garage being as only 15.5 feet wide.
So we did our best to really minimize the size of that structure.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :You are aware that by tucking it way back in the corner which is a code
conforming location that structure and the existing pool is practically on top of the property line
of the applicant not applicant sorry property owner that shares the rear lot line.
GARY STEINFELD : Right.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Their property is very, very close probably (inaudible) and non-
conforming very close to that. So there's going to be adverse impacts.
GARY STEINFELD : Right and the previous shed that was there for you know as part of the other
structure had the 20 foot length you know similar to the 15.5 now but 20 for the length closer to
the property line along that rear edge. It was located in the same (inaudible) so there is some
history or a structure being there although I'm not sure that factors in.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No once a demolition takes place that's all (inaudible). Let's see if the
Board has anything and then I'll open it up to questions from the attendees. Anything from let's
see who we start with, Eric comments or questions on this application?
MEMBER DANTES : When we get the variances the only ones we need are the variances from
New Suffolk. We don't need the variances that are in other parts of the town.
GARY STEINFELD : Understood.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : It's got to be in that neighborhood.
GARY STEINFELD : Correct.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I would still say for new construction not for an existing residence.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yeah I would agree.
MEMBER LEHNERT : I would agree with that.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well let's see Pat do you have any questions?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : I see in here that a toilet and a sink, is that a sink there?
GARY STEINFELD : Yes.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : On the other side of it, is that another sink in the garage part?
GARY STEINFELD : Yes it's a utility sink and an under the counter refrigerator.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : It doesn't appear to well (inaudible) garage and multi-purpose room
are not segregated from each other.
GARY STEINFELD : The multi-purpose will be seasonal looking to be a pool house in the summer
and then a storage for sail boats if you guys visited the site you saw there was a car and sailboats
that are on site that are in the weather now.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Anything from you Rob?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Not at this time.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Nick.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : No I think I said my peace about you knowthe elevation I mean it's not
subject to the application but it makes me rethink these applications overall where you know
relief is granted and the structure I mean it's just really imposing and I know it's not subject to
the hearing but as I said it's something that makes me think twice about future applications.
GARY STEINFELD : Imposing in what way though? I understand as an opinion on fagade height
but there's a lot of colonials throughout the New Suffolk area that including that one on Jackson
St. that has the 28.4% that's a two story right on the road. Is that any less imposing than this
particular house that's actually a smaller structure with the same two story?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I'd have to go and look at it.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Yeah and I think it's you know I was just sharing an opinion it's not
anything relative to this hearing.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : We have to look as you know at character to the neighborhood but
we previously did that and I don't know whether we were actually paying attention to the
drawings that were submitted and recognizing how imposing that structure would be that close
to the road. We understood the logic of rebuilding on the same footprint but the impact on that
footprint is substantially greater than what the original structure was because it's much taller.
GARY STEINFELD : Correct.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :So we do have actually a letter I don't know if you've gotten a copy of
it Gary the letter signed by a number of neighbors, several neighbors objecting to this lot
coverage.
BOARD ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : No I didn't send it to him.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Oh you didn't okay.We just received it I think yesterday possible.We'll
make sure you get a copy.
GARY STEINFELD : Okay, do keep in mind though when we do look at these structures and we
talk about character that's a word that we use all the time but it is character of neighborhood
right? We're not comparing character of structure that was there and character of the structure
now,we're talking about the lot coverage and how this fits in with the neighborhood itself. Hence
the reason why we don't look at the lot coverage variances given outside of New Suffolk. We
want to look at lot coverage variances that are given within this neighborhood.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well you know you're right but there is a difference in scale that is
substantial and scale is part of the character of a neighborhood too. We're finding that's the case
when people have to raise homes to make them FEMA compliant, they are not totally out of
character
GARY STEINFELD : Right.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : it's always been there. Change happens but we want to make sure
that the change does not in some way unsettle you know what
GARY STEINFELD : I just want to be clear in the record that that fagade is not outside of the
character of the neighborhood. If it requires me to go and count the number of two story
colonials
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : If you're talking about the aesthetic of the building itself
GARY STEINFELD : Correct and the height of the fagade and its proximity to the street
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I will agree that that's you know that's a typical colonial salt box kind
of configuration. Let's see what I think I'm
BOARD ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Leslie there's a Q&A in there.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay please read the letter from Michelle Roussan and neighbors at
appropriate time and then comment. I'm being asked to read the letter probably that's a good
idea because then Gary you'll have a chance to address it in this hearing if you wish to. It's not
that long let me find it. I've got it. Dear Members of the Southold Town Zoning Board of Appeals.
I'm writing to you about the variance application submitted for 850 Third St. New Suffolk
requesting to extend the permitted lot coverage. I as well as all of the adjacent neighbors and
those in close proximity to this property strongly object to the request and ask that you deny this
variance. The new owners whose identity is hidden behind a corporation name Cottage LLC have
previously requested a variance for the pool house structure and were denied. I should for the
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record state that there is an individual's name associated with that cottage and it's the same
individual (inaudible) in 2018. It is Donald Brennan Cottage on Third, LLC. I read on. If the new
owners clearly knew that they wanted to build from the start then they should have shopped for
a lot of appropriate size with reasonable setbacks. The new house built on the site already
dominates the surroundings with a pool in the back yard covering a significant portion of the lot
and little room for sound buffering or privacy. The addition of a large second structure 15 feet
tall and only 3 feet from the neighbors blocking and air flow onto side is simply unacceptable.
While it is not a legal requirement to do so it is hard to understand how someone is trying to
shoehorn such a large construction project into such a tiny space in a community like ours and
wouldn't even attempt to talk things over with neighbors which raises the concern that this house
may not be a residence at all yet another short term rental party house as several other
properties in the immediate vicinity have become. New Suffolk as we know it is under assault
being pushed by new outside money, COVID transplants and real estate speculators. Given its
proximity to the White Cap property on the corner of fourth and Main an Air B&B nightmare
regularly filled with loud drunk and obnoxious guests who break our own town noise ordinances.
We feel compelled to hedge against this possibility and ask that you curb the footprint of this
project.Then it's signed by one,two, three, four,five, six, seven, eight, nine,ten, eleven,twelve,
thirteen,fourteen property owners all Fourth St., Kind St. right around there. So it's the first time
you've hear it, is there any response you'd like to enter into the record Gary?
GARY STEINFELD : First I'll make a correction, the garage is not 3 feet from the property line.
From the southerly property line it is 6.8 feet and from the I mean I'm sorry it is 5 feet from the
southern property and it is 6.8 from the eastern property line.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :That's correct,that's what's shown on the survey.
GARY STEINFELD : Not 3 feet as stated in the letter. I'm not sure it matters on record but the
property is owned by a family that also has another local property that they summer in here and
this property is earmarked for extended family and parents of those owners. So there's no rental
property in the future for this at least for these particular owners.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Just to confirm, it is to the ridge it is proposed at 15 feet 1 and % inch.
GARY STEINFELD : Are you asking or you're reading that off the paper?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No I'm reading it into the record.
GARY STEINFELD :That's what's shown on the submitted elevations.So I kept it as low as possible
at 15 feet. There's a six foot fence around the property on the eastern side now and with the
pool there'll be at least a four added on the other property lines.As long as I have the Board here,
can I just understand the Board's thinking on the rights of an existing property like the Main St.
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property 16500 Main St.to go to a lot coverage of 28.4%versus a new construction project where
they've asked to add a garage and want to be at 22.91% why that's such a difference just so I
understand the thinking for now and future of what's the difference between that and the right
of a new construction owner and the right of someone who has an existing lot who is a new buyer
they're not the existing owners they bought recently?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :With new construction in general the Board looks very carefully at any
potential variances because the assumption is unless it's a completely strange lot which we do
have some in this town that most people are going to be able to comply and do not need variance
relief simply because they're starting from scratch. So the attempt is to uphold the code. With
existing construction most of it pre-existing non-conforming a lot of it they have different kinds
of circumstances. Some of them are already over lot coverage and couldn't do another thing. So
it's kind of slightly different considerations because as you know the Board is only allowed to
grant relief when there is no alternative and when you're building from scratch you usually have
alternatives.
GARY STEINFELD :Alternatives what purchase a separate lot somewhere else?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No build a smaller house.
GARY STEINFELD : Okay.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : You're building if you wanted a pool and you wanted a garage then
you build a smaller house and you have conforming lot coverage.
GARY STEINFELD : Right understood, so a couple of scenarios just to understand here some of
the constraints that this property owner has-is they're on an 8,420 sq.ft. lot asking for 22.9%and
you know we're looking at character of the neighborhood if we look at the Main St. lot that was
granted 28.4% that's an over 15,000 sq. ft. lot. So just in my opinion so if we're looking at the
character of the neighborhood and we're comparing what variances have been granted and we
want to compare them in fairness this particular lot that we're asking for a smaller variance on
for lot coverage is also about half the size that's the challenge that my client has my homeowner
has. They're trying to fit in where our normal use structure is on a tiny lot and I do have some
responsibility understanding that challenge when I buy the lot but at an 8,400 sq.ft. lot they built
a pretty modest sized house it's an 1,800 sq. ft. house and a normal sized swimming pool and
now looking to do a very reduced sized storage and pool house building. So I'd like to be on the
record that we understand that when we do look at these comparisons in the neighborhood of
what's been granted recently which to me bears a lot more than maybe what was granted you
know fifteen years ago you know when we look back at the record cause it's more of the more
recent character the more recent mood of what direction the town may be headed. But in this
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particular case I believe we're asking for a very fair variance based on what has been provided
for even larger lots that means more structure on the larger square foot coverage.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Leslie, I think something important to discuss also is the prior variance
relief that was given while there was a declination for the proposed garage/pool, you were
granted relief to have the house closer to the lot line. I don't want to suggest that there's a
tradeoff here but the owner had full design choice as far as what it is that they would like to
achieve for this particular property. It's a blank slate and I think by installing the pool you're now
putting the Board in an awkward position to revisit a previous decision as I see it.
GARY STEINFELD :Well understand also on an 8420 lot and this is a discussion I live in New Suffolk
too so I find these discussions interesting and I'm also in the business of trying to make things
work and to work with the town and do things that we really want to do but on a lot this small
and we have these constraints it's not it's a different set of parameters because even if we were
to have no swimming pool and build a house and a garage at 20%lot coverage the lot depth really
doesn't allow for the house to push back any further. Then we're looking at garage in side yard
or front yard or we're not looking for much room to even park more than two cars in the driveway
on a lot this size. So that structure if we were just to plan a garage and a house here we want
that house to be situated (inaudible) so that we can fit two cars in a driveway in front of the
garage.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : But then Gary you're saying exactly what Leslie just mentioned as far
as when a blank slate cause you demolish an existing house you could have place with an
architect a design of a house that would perhaps have an attached garage that would meet your
objective. Now you're trying to pigeon hole something in.
GARY STEINFELD : No I'm not,that's not true. Listen I'm not going to argue architecture with you
but I'm just trying to explain it cause (inaudible) of a tiny lot versus 8,000 sq.ft. lot you don't have
the lot depth, you don't have the same flexibility.
MEMBER LEHERT : Gary you're trying to explain the constraints away with maximizing the
coverage. No one says you have to maximize the coverage.
GARY STEINFELD : Nobody says so but when a client put a modest sized house we often talk about
not the word entitlement we also talk about you know we like people to be able to enjoy their
house and have a swimming pool and a garage. That's really my only point. I'm not saying they
absolutely deserve to get it but we're not asking for uses that are unusual in either size
MEMBER LEHNERT : No not unusual but I mean I live in New Suffolk also and that neighborhood
outside of the White Cap on Jackson St. there's no pools in that neighborhood.
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GARY STEINFELD : There's one around the corner on Main St. right there (inaudible) there's a
number of pools right there.
MEMBER LEHNERT : I'm saying in that little neighborhood around the school.
GARY STEINFELD : Okay.
MEMBER LEHNERT :There is no pool back there so I mean you had the option of the pool or the
garage at the time, you had the coverage for it and you chose the pool.
GARY STEINFELD : Okay I didn't know we were looking at micro neighborhoods within
neighborhoods. It that a micro neighborhood.
MEMBER LEHNERT : No, I'm just you know when you go back to the character of the
neighborhood,you have to figure the neighborhood. I mean you can't take Jackson St. and put it
against the rest of New Suffolk. It's a different animal we know that.
GARY STEINFELD : Right okay.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Is there anyone in the attendees who would like to make comments?
T. A. DUFFY : Leslie it's Bill and I'd like to make a comment if I could. Just the applicant's
representative was talking about the property rights of owners with you know building new
against property rights of owners with existing structures and it's the Board is not looking at it is
different property rights between individuals it's the balancing test and one of the five factors
that you have to that a Board considers is self-created hardship so that's where a little bit of a
difference comes in. It's not that the Board sees different property rights between different types
of ownerships. It's how they balance the factors in those situations. I'm not trying to address the
variance of this application I'm just want to kind of correct terminology maybe a little bit.
GARY STEINFELD : Along those lines Bill then what is that saying. Say these clients had never in a
previously proposed to have a garage and they got the variances for the front yard setback which
was less than what the previous house was by the way you know less exception to what was
there and they put a house and swimming pool on there and then let's look at two other
scenarios. If they had never proposed a garage at that point and then came back five years later
or ten years later and then put a variance in because they decided at that point they needed the
garage would they then be treated similar to the White Cap because they now were having an
existing structure on there and in later years they've decided that they wanted to expand and
then go larger lot coverage and the other scenarios if it's a new owner if a new owner then buys
that property and then they now have different rights than my client to have a garage?
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No any applicant any property owner always has the right to apply for
a variance. There's no guarantee they'll get it, they may they may not. It depends on a whole
range of you know characteristics.The law is very clear and you know it.You know what it is,you
know what the area variance standards are. I see that we have three raised hands so I'd like to
give them an opportunityto talk,we're kind of getting off to philosophical you know conversation
here and I'd like to bring it down with specifics of this application respectfully.So we have George
Maul, we have Doris Brautigan and we have Stephen Roussan. Would you bring in Mr. Roussan
first and then the others can come in.We just want to one at a time so we don't all talk over each
other.
STEPHEN ROUSSAN : Good afternoon, Stephan Roussan 415 Third St. I just want to point out a
couple of things which I think you know is kind of stating the obvious but for the record,the 20%
lot coverage is you know is the regulation of maximum lot coverage so the entire conversation
from the start with entirely new construction is revolving around a presumption of exceeding the
maximum rather than working within what should be the expected constraints. I understand a
situation where you know a homeowner who has been on site for a long time, is a resident there
you know and they are trying to add a little bit and it takes them over you know over the
threshold you know that's something that we all understand but to map out a project from the
very beginning purchasing the new lot to engage in this type of a construction project targeting
going over that threshold from the beginning is just something that strikes me as sort of outside
the realm of reasonable accommodation. I appreciate Gary's arguments, I know Gary you're a
good guy you do good work. I think you're handed a tough assignment here on behalf of the
homeowner. I'm just not down with it and I'm not buying the arguments. The other thing that I
would also say is that there is no divine right of entitlement to a pool and a garage. The lot is
what the lot is,the neighborhood is what the neighborhood is and I don't see how this is like this
automatic presumption that we are you know that we all get our pool and our garage no matter
what the circumstances are. That is ridiculous. I also wanted to point out you know with regard
to the Town of Southold's Comprehensive plan you know one of the stated objectives is the
revisiting of the setbacks and maximum building height especially on non-conforming lots
(inaudible) on neighboring homes are not adversely affected by new houses. Now I don't know
if that's applicable here in this circumstance or whether you know that's just sort of an aspiration
with this objectives but clearly this is part of the conversation that people are having everywhere
and I think when you look when you stand at the edge of the ballfield and you look at the entire
perimeter of all the properties that one can see within line of sight this new house that's been
built is I offer you that as exhibit A of what's behind this objective that the town is looking at
more broadly. So for all of those reasons you know I just don't think it's an appropriate ask. It's
already been granted a variance for the pool.At some point like how much are we going to shove
a square peg into a round hole.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Let me just correct you on one thing.They did not need a variance for
the pool they're under the 20% lot coverage. They needed a front yard setback to build in the
footprint of what they demolished which was granted. The lot coverage that was much larger
than what's being proposed now was denied. I just want to make sure that's corrected. They
chose to build a pool as or right, they could have built a garage as of right cause the house did
not take up 20% lot coverage. Let me see there's two other hands still up, let's bring them in.
MEMBER DANTES : Or they could have built a smaller house, a smaller pool and built a garage as
of right depending on how they wanted to use it up for lot coverage.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :That's correct. Let's see George Maul, unmute yourself please.
GEORGE MAUL : Hello, George Maul. I want to talk about the Comprehensive Plan quickly and
say you know we have a new Town of Southold Comprehensive Plan, it was approved I think this
past August. It's a new normal you know. Besides the objective that Stephan talked about it's
another place in the Town Comprehensive Plan in Chapter 5 that says we're supposed to be
evaluating and mending the town code sections on lot coverage to prevent structures too large
in scale from occurring in neighborhoods and that's throughout the Town of Southold it's not just
in New Suffolk. I think we have a new normal and you know if every lot is built out to the
maximum that it can be built out that will impact the community character. And so rather than I
don't think we can really refer to examples that go back years and say you know this is another
example. I think we have a new normal now that we have a new Comprehensive Plan that we're
working to implement and I think we should be looking at it that way. Thank you very much.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Sure. Now we have another Doris Brautigan, would you please
unmute yourself.
DORIS BRAUTIGAN : Hello. This is two or three points that I just wanted to make. One is, when
you compare the lot coverage as being you know say it's roughly 20% at the White Cap property
and 20% at this property,these are such different sized lots. You're completely they're not really
comparable because these are 20%of a huge lot is not nearly as dense as 20% of a small lot such
as this. Second of all, the purpose of I don't know it seems that the pre-existing shed does not
serve as a precedent anymore but I do want to point out the purpose of a shed and the purpose
of a pool house is entirely different. As neighbors we're concerned that a pool house is going to
be as Michele stated in her letter a party sort of situation creating a lot of noise. Lastly, as far as
the character of the neighborhood the house right now has two enormous torches in front of it
that spill light all over and they're not within the town code and I would like to address that with
the builder. As a builder I thought that dark skies would be something that one would consider.
So thank you for listening.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : You're welcome. I think that if a lighting is intrusive then there's
neighbors have a remedy to deal with that it's not something the Zoning Board would deal with
but there are other remedies which neighbors have options of. I don't know if you want to
address that Gary or not.
GARY STEINFELD : I think they're just lights on timers for construction security but I'm sure it's
not something permanent but if it's disturbing enough people I'm sure I can speak to the client
about setting a timer setting so that they're not on through the full night. It was just done as a
means of security during construction because the job sites are not always as secure as a primary
residence.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Good thank you that should be helpful. Anything else from anybody?
MEMBER DANTES : Yea I'd like to say, the Comprehensive Plan I know it's adopted and I know
what's in it but our legal criteria still goes more to the character of the neighborhood I mean the
variance criteria. I mean we don't have Town Board's approval to start considering the
Comprehensive Plan yet. Did I say that right?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : More or less.
GARY STEINFELD :As the agent for the applicant we do get a bit philosophical and I know we got
to move on we do get a bit philosophical with the discussion with certain neighborhoods and
New Suffolk is one of them because it's a very dense neighborhood and it tends to be a hot topic
right now but I just want us to understand that when the Board reviews this I'm hoping that
we're reviewing it based off of precedent of what's been done in the neighborhood the variances
that have been granted and we can continue to look at that based on where we are with the
zoning code now and not any Comprehensive Plans or discussions of what's going to happen to
New Suffolk and the zoning in the future.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : We will apply the standards of the balancing act as required by law
and we will consider all information and opinions expressed in writing and in the application and
through testimony from neighbors.
GARY STEINFELD : Right and I just want to answer one other comment made on record by one of
the other Q&A hand raisers. I don't think anybody feels they're entitled to a swimming pool. I
think entitled is a very strong word or entitled to a garage but it has been the precedent of the
Zoning Board and if you look back at Minutes they always discussed that it's certainly normal for
people to have swimming pools and it's normal for people to have garages and those type of
statements have been used consistently through Zoning Board approvals of variances as a means
to allow people to go over lot coverage in terms of saying you know it's not unusual for people
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to have swimming pools. I think people should ask for you know should be able to enjoy their
houses with swimming pools and it's not unusual for people to have garages for storage.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Gary I would just add one thing to what you were just saying, it's not
necessarily about lot coverage it has to do with setbacks and yes a garage is customary for a
home anywhere in Southold Town and a pool is also. But where you got a small lot like this and I
would argue this was a blank slate, it's new construction it's not an existing early nineteenth or
even early twentieth century home and I would draw the line certainly by the nineteen fifties
when the zoning went into effect in 1957 it's a different thing and certainly there are all these
unique situations in the sixties and seventies but I do think it's the opportunity for this Board to
clean these things up.You're not dealing with setbacks, it's all about lot coverage and it is a small
lot and it's a lot for that particular property.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Anything else from anybody, I'd like to move on to the next
application. I think we've heard quite a bit gotten quite a bit of information. By the way this all
these hearings are being recorded and there is a transcript a written transcript of this recording
that the Board reviews prior to making decisions. So once again we'll refresh our memories of
everything that was said here, we'll reread the transcript as soon as we get it typed up and we'll
make a decision likely in two weeks' time. If you wouldn't mind Gary just emailing downloading
and emailing those priors for us to look at as we discussed. So hearing no further questions or
comments I'm going to make a motion to close the hearing reserve decision to a later date. I
won't make it subject to receipt of those. We do have the list, we could look them up ourselves
but if you wouldn't mind if it's handy enough for you to just send them in it just saves staff time
of doing that work.So there's a motion to close the hearing reserve decision to a later date which
would be two weeks' time at the earliest. Is there a second on that motion?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Lehnert. Liz would you call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
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OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The motion carries unanimously.
HEARING#7473—DAVID ZAPPULLA
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The next application before the Board is for David Zappulla # 7473.
This is a request for variances from Article XXIII Section 280-124 and the Building Inspector's
December 23, 2020 Notice of Disapproval based on an application for a permit to demolish and
reconstruct a new single family dwelling at 1) located less than the code required minimum front
yard setback of 35 feet, 2) more than the code permitted maximum lot coverage of 20% located
at it says 810 but we have discovered that that is not the correct street number on Linnet St. in
Greenport.What was is 611 so we need to make that correction.The Board did find the property,
what was helpful was the fact that there was a photograph in there of the front of the house with
a number on it and tax map, that was correct so apologies for that. I see the applicant is here.
This is considered a demolition but they're really going to preserve part of the house. This is
simply because it's more than fifty percent of the value of the existing structure and it would
appear that you have a front yard setback proposed at 15.3 feet, the code requiring 35 and lot
coverage of 26.9%, the code permits a maximum of 20%. Would you unmute yourself please.
DAVID ZAPPULLA : Hi good afternoon.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Hi there, are you the new homeowner?
DAVID ZAPPULLA : That's correct.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay so I understand that the garage in the back with an apartment
has a Pre-existing Certificate of Occupancy so it is a legal structure and that is what's contributing
mostly to this lot coverage. Are you increasing the lot coverage?
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
DAVID ZAPPULLA: No we are not, it's the same footprint as originally designed.We're just looking
to build above it.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So 22.8% is existing alright I think your application and the Notice of
Disapproval are not quite the same but that's okay we'll figure it out. The lot coverage on the
Notice is 26.9 and you state it's 22.8, maybe you're referring to just the house.
DAVID ZAPPULLA :Actually the survey does also say 26.9
MEMBER DANTES : 26.0 the one I have.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Yeah I have 26.0 also.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The survey says .9 oh wait a minute,is that the Notice of Disapproval?
MEMBER DANTES :The Notice of Disapproval says .9
MEMBER LEHNERT : No, no, no you're looking at that's total building area he's allowed the 26.0
MEMBER DANTES : What?
MEMBER LEHNERT :Total building area is that what's there or is that what he can build out to?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No that's there.
MEMBER LEHNERT :That's what's there okay I'm sorry.
MEMBER DANTES : (inaudible) build out to more than 20% (inaudible)
MEMBER LEHNERT : Yeah I'm sorry I read it wrong.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : No problem, you're going to be upgrading the sanitary I take it.
DAVID ZAPPULLA : We are currently attached to the village sewer system.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Oh okay good.
MEMBER DANTES : So basically you're putting in a second story on top of an existing dwelling.
DAVID ZAPPULLA : That's correct. There's no change of the footprint whatsoever. We're not
encroaching on the space as it was you know purchased it's still the exact same footprint. So
there's no change to the footprint whatsoever.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :So that front yard setback is what's always been there?
DAVID ZAPPULLA : That's correct.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Rob any questions?
MEMBER LEHNERT : No not as this time.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :This is very straightforward. It would be a big improvement altogether.
It's in need of some care. Anybody else on the Board have any questions or comments? Nick
anything from you?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : No.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Eric.
MEMBER DANTES : Not at this time.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Pat.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : No.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :This one is really straightforward and by the way John Jarski also from
the Building Department clarified for the Board that that is exactly what you're doing. C.O's Pre-
C.O's on these structures,they're there legally you're basically putting on a second story.
DAVID ZAPPULLA : Yeah John was out about a week ago and he verified you know came out for
the Pre-C.O. so yep that's exactly what we're doing.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay well welcome to the neighborhood. Anybody in the audience
wanting to address this application if so please raise your hand. I don't see any. Alright there's
nobody else out there who wants to say anything so I'm going to make a motion to close the
hearing reserve decision to a later date. Is there a second?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Lehnert. Liz would you call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
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MEMBER LEHNERT :Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :The motion carries unanimously.We will have a decision in two weeks.
I will go in and sign it and you can have it the next day. You can listen in if you wish it's not
required it's not a hearing. There's no testimony taken but it's open to the public to listen to us
discuss application drafts of decisions and then we vote on them.
DAVID ZAPPULLA : What time is that?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I sign them the next day. It will be on the agenda just like this one was
the Zoom link and all that for anybody here or anybody attending who wants to attend that
meeting. What is it March 18th we open to the public at 5 o'clock.
HEARING#7474—JAMES and LAURIE CARNEY
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The next application before the Board is for James and Laurie Carney
#7474. This is a request for variances from Article XXIII Section 280-124 and the Building
Inspector's December 15, 2020 Notice of Disapproval based on an application for a permit to
construct additions and alterations to an existing single family dwelling at 1) located less than the
code required minimum front yard setback of 35 feet, 2) located less than the code required
minimum rear yard setback of 35 feet located at Equestrian Ave. on Fishers Island.
SAM FITZGERALD : Hello can you hear me?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes we can, hi.
SAM FITZGERALD : Hi.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : So we have a front yard setback proposed at 20 feet where the code
requires 35 feet and a rear yard of 22 where the code requires a minimum of 35. It looks like
these are just small additions to this non-conforming house on an undersized lot.
SAM FITZGERALD : Yep and I think it's all pretty straightforward. I think that the I'd just like to
make a couple of quick points about this. There's one additions one small 96 sq. ft. addition off
to the bottom corner of the house that's a mud room and a laundry room and that's yowknow
there's no real room in existing footprint of the house to fit a laundry room or mud room and
that's the (inaudible) service side of the house. I just would like to also say that you know that
addition is close to a pond there but I think that if I could just share my screen just for a-quick
minute.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Can you let him do that to share Liz or Donna?
SAM FITZGERALD : I think she already has. Yes so just real quick here. In this corner where;we're
going to be building the pond right here I just want to allay any fears about the proximity to the
pond. This is the existing (inaudible) we have back there where we have this concrete patio in
red and stairs down the steep hill to the pond. That's all concrete that's all impervious area and
under this current proposal that's all coming out so we're getting rid of about 150 sq. ft. of
impervious area with the and then you can see some pictures. There's a bulkhead there and
there's that's all coming out the oil tank and all that stuff is coming out. With the new plan here
with this one room addition it's not going to be a full foundation it's just going to be three piers
and the roof runoff is going to be to a dry well. So it's really going to be sort of a net benefit when
it comes to the wetlands. We're also going to do probably the most important thing we're;going
to do is currently the lawn comes all the way down to the edge of the pond and that's the,worst
thing that you can have is that you know with all the fertilizing and bad stuff seeping into the
pond. So what we're going to do is we're going to back the lawn up to this line right here,!we're
going to add a landscape buffer so that we can trap and filter any fertilizers or anything that
comes down from the lawn. So I think that given all that it's a net gain actually and that deck
addition is not increasing the non-conformity of the setbacks.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well thank you very much for your excellent visual submission.'These
kinds of documents especially on Fishers Island always help tremendously for us. The Building
Department of course did inform us Mike Verity went over there and he says now these he sent
us photographs that these proposed additions and alterations are now as built and pardon?
SAM FITZGERALD :Yea no you're right absolutely right yeah they are sort of in progress and I just
yeah I was told by Mike last Friday the contractor jumped the gun. I have not been ablelto get
over there as much now as I do in sort of normal times and yeah the last time I was there these
were not built but Mike called me last Friday and said Sam look you gotta thing here.They started
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to frame these up so I called the contractor right away and said secure the area and stop work. I
just want you to know that it wasn't any kind of directive from the owner. They didn't know
anything about it, or it was any kind of you now cavalier attitude about the process it was just a
brutal February you know weather wise and they got a bit of a break from the weather and they
just got too over eager. So it wasn't any intent to pull one over on anyone.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay well I asked Mike if we needed an updated an amended Notice
of Disapproval and he said that was up to us. If what has been built is already what's before us
and nothing more or nothing different I think we can just put that in additional information. I
don't know let me ask the rest of the Board. Do you feel that way too, Pat how do you feel?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : I have no problem with that.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Rob.
MEMBER LEHNERT : I have no problem.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Nick and Eric you guys okay with that?
MEMBER DANTES : I don't have an issue.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Fine.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay. Well we understand sometimes that stuff happens but I just
wanted the record to indicate that we were now he had gone over there to do an inspection he
was going anyway but he brought us up to date on the two applications on Fishers Island. It's
very helpful. Does anybody on the Board have any questions, I think it's very clear what's being
proposed. I'm looking to see if there's anything else in my notes basically.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : So Leslie while you're doing that, I'll ask Sam if he has the ability to
share that wonderful picture of the Bartletts that popped up for a second the early twentieth
century image. This house has a phenomenal history.
SAM FITZGERALD :Yeah and this is so that's the house as it was in 1880.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Isn't that amazing?
SAM FITZGERALD : It is amazing. So it's been considerable altered, in fact actually so from 1880
to about 1950 or'60 it saw some really significant alterations, like this whole thing is filled in,this
whole porch is filled in. Part of our variances we like to make this open porch again but I just love
this photo. I mean there are no trees at all it's just sort of what you know almost look
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : It's prairie.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Look how far that other house is.
SAM FITZGERALD : But you know some of this I mean it's great because some of this paneling
exists and all these details are still there. It's our a
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Carpenter gothic that's
MEMBER LEHNERT : I love those supports on the columns.
SAM FITZGERALD :So that's what we're planning on using for the back covered porch too to bring
that back but it's a real gem and it's a real pleasure to work on the house.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Alrighty, I don't think there's anything from anybody else. I don't think
there was anybody in the audience, let me just ask though. If there's anybody here to talk about
this application? No okay, anybody have any further questions or comments?
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OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : There's a hand up.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : George Guimaraes. Would you please unmute yourself.
GEORGE GUIMARAES : Marybeth and George Guimaraes. We are the immediate next 'door
neighbors of this home in fact another wonderfully old restored Victorian home and built at the
same time as the house you're considering. We have no problem with it and I just want to go on
record because several people on the island have asked us about our views about this building
because it is so close to our house but we have no objection to it. We wish the new owner the
best of luck and success with it.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :That's wonderful,thank you very much for your testimony. Does that
sum it up? I think so. Alright, I'm going to make a motion to close the hearing reserve decision to
a later date. Is there a second?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : I'll second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Acampora. Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
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MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
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MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The motion carries unanimously. We'll have a decision in two weeks'
time. You're just going to stay here Sam?
SAM FITZGERALD :Yeah.
HEARING#7477-CHRISTOPHER and MARIAN BRIGGS
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The next application before the Board is for Christopher and Marian
Briggs. #7477. This is a request for variances from Article III Section 280-15, Article XXIII Section
280-124 and the Building Inspector's January 25, 2021 Notice of Disapproval based on an
application for a permit to legalize "as built" deck additions to an existing single family dwelling
and to legalize an "as built" accessory shed at 1) as built shed is located in other than the code
permitted rear yard, 2) as built deck is located less than the code required minimum front yard
setback of 40 feet, 3) as built deck is located less than the code required minimum rear yard
setback of 60 feet located at 320 Oceanic Ave. on Fishers Island. So the deck addition is a front
yard setback at 33 the code requiring a minimum of 40 feet, a rear yard setback of 39.5 the code
requiring a minimum of 60 and the shed is along the side of the house rather than in the rear
yard.
SAM FITZGERALD : It's in the front, front yard.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : It's in the front yard right. Okay let's pull up the survey on that. Can
we get the survey on that up Donna please. Oh that's why, it's on the side of the house but it's
front yard.
MEMBER LEHNERT : It's a weird shaped lot.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
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SAM FITZGERALD : It is a Weird shaped lot. The decks were built probably thirty years ago, the
shed probably appeared on the property about the same time but you know I don't have too
much to say about this but I just figured I just want to point out one quick thing if I can share the
screen. So just with the shed, the shed is in the front yard you know in theory but this lot is sort
of interesting because,it's in of sort of the center of what would be the cultural center or kind of
a
like the town green area of Fishers. It's still loosely defined as such but you have two churches
and a library here and you have this open space that's owned by the Ferguson Museum and so it
sort of reads like a town square or like the town green here and they have a lot of exposure.The
back,of their house has a lot of exposure this open green space and this red area here that's the
only allowable area where that shed could go per the zoning regulations. So if you do that iif you
put the shed where it's sort of supposed to go then what happens is that you have here's th!e few
from that green space then what you have is you have the shed right in here and it's just basically
you know open to the public green space and I think that that's you know not any improvement
to the character of the neighborhood. So where it is currently located in the front yard actually
makes a ton of sense because it's away from that open green space, it's more private. This right
here is really, really thickly vegetated. This is the main driveway in, it's sort of right there it's
actually a less visible here than anywhere else on the property and it's also for bikes so it just
make it easier for bikes. So all that combined I think it's a sort of a sensible place for it.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay. Look at good old Fishers Island, there is nothing regular on
Fishers Island at all.
SAM FITZGERALD :There's nothing, I know.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :And there it is. I mean there's the library,the Catholic Church, houses
you know.
SAM FITZGERALD : Yeah and it's you know it's as close as we get as I said to sort of a town green
and there's the commercial center up the road a little bit but this is sort of like the you''know
where our cultural institutions are and things and they're just and this house is just right there in
full view of it all.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : The shed would just be sticking out if you put it where it was supposed
to go.
SAM FITZGERALD : Yeah it would yep.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I don't think I saw anybody in the Sam if you could take that down so
we could and I can see I don't think there's anybody else. Is there anybody here for this
application that wants to speak that's in the attendees list? I'm not seeing anything. Alright any
other comments or questions from Board Members? We have a very well put together visual
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presentation in our packets so it's very clear to see what's being added and where it's going and
why well what's being approved really legalized not being added. The lot coverage is what 5.1%?
SAM FITZGERALD : Yeah.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I guess they were built a long time ago without permits I guess and
now it's
SAM FITZGERALD : That's right, that's right.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Alright hearing no further questions or comments I'm going to make
a motion to close the hearing reserve decision to a later date. Is there a second?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Planamento. Liz would you call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT: Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The motion carries unanimously.
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
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HEARING#7465SE—KONSTANTINOS DIAKOVASILIS
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The next application was adjourned from a prior hearing dated
February 41h and we have a request from the applicant for another adjournment. There are
matters that they simply need to resolve before they return to our public hearing so I'm going to
upon the request of the applicant make a motion to adjourn Konstantinos Diakovasilis #7465SE
to the next date which would be April 11t. We'll figure out the time when we see what the agenda
looks like. So there's a motion, is there a second?
MEMBER DANTES : Second.
li
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Dantes. Liz call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
I
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye. i
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you dote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The motion carries unanimously.
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HEARING # 7463SE—SUFFOLK COUNTY ENERGY STORAGE II, LLC (Adjourned from February 4,
2021)
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The final application today before the Board is for Suffolk County
Energy Storage II, LLC #7463SE adjourned from the February 4th Meeting. Let's see who is here
that we have to admit. There's Steven Losquadro should we let him in.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Leslie, I just noticed that Gary Steinfeld is here from West Creek. I saw
earlier a question popped up that he was dropped or something like that so I don't know if Gary
needs help or if he's going to attend this hearing.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I don't know. Well he's on and you know so if Gary if you're having a
problem or something would you put that in.the chat for us and we'll
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : He can raise his hand if he wants to speak.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Of course. I'm going to leave that for a moment. I'd like to open this
up re-open it, continue it by bringing everybody up to date on what's been happening between
the hearing in February and now. First of all we've gotten an enormous amount of documents
that we didn't have before and I'd like to just explain what all of those are, it's going to save us
some time and get more information out to the public also. First of all we have an LWRP
consistency assessment form that we did not have before. This is from the applicant as required
by local LWRP. We have a comprehensive LWRP Coastal Consistency Review that we now have
that we didn't have before and that's from our Southold Town LWRP Coordinator dated March
15t. A number of these documents by the way came in very, very recently and so although I've
been working very hard to read everything they came in very quickly and had a lot of other
application to prepare for today so I will be requesting some more time to make sure that we can
comprehensively and completely review everything and give the public also an opportunity to
review these documents which will be scanned into our LaserFiche online application so that
anyone interested can review all of them as well. So I'm going to propose at the very least that
we leave that we'll adjourn this to the Special Meeting in two weeks so that the Board has time
to look at it, we have time to scan and the attorney has time to respond to anything the public
might have submitted although he's done a good job of that to date. Anyway, the Consistency
Report declared the application inconsistent but it's primarily based upon the applicant's
proposed setback from the freshwater wetlands and it also listed the benefits of the project to
the public and possible mitigation measures on that site to bring the proposed project into
consistency with the LWRP. We have a full Environmental Assessment Form Part II and III from
the LWRP Coordinator. We have a memorandum from the Town Trustees stating no objection to
the ZBA assuming Lead Agency however they did not submit any specific comments relative to
the conditions on the site which we were expecting to get but we did not receive. We have a
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memo from the Southold Town Planning Board outlining where the proposed project meets and
does not meet the Town's Comprehensive Plan and concluded that the Planning Board
acknowledges the benefits of the proposed Battery Energy Storage System facility to the public
however the location proposed is not supported and we have also submitted by Mr. Losquadro
an entire long two long documents that basically addressed those concerns and respectfully
rebut some of those comments. We have a SEAR determination of negative declaration,
resolution was passed this morning. it's a thirteen page long document. It both analyzes and
documents in detail seventeen reasons that are in support of the findings of a NEG DEC. 1'11 give
you just for the public's benefit some of the seventeen reasons that were analyzed, include
impacts on land, on water, on flooding, on air, plants and animals, noise, odor and light and
basically and many others. It concluded that no adverse impacts rise to the level of a moderate
to large impact that would require a Positive Declaration. We have two lengthy submissions as I
said from the applicant's attorney Mr. Losquadro in response to those documents. They will be
available for the public to look at. One was received March 2"d and the other yesterday March
3rd but then also he didn't have benefit of these other documents until very recently either to
respond to them.So we will put them on for view.We also have received about twenty six letters
in total. So what I want to do for the benefit of all those present is to say we received letters in
opposition and we've received letters in support. The letters received in opposition three',from
local environmental groups, nine from local residents. I want to make it clear however that not
one single letter objected to the green infrastructure project the battery energy storage systems.
The concern was all with impacts to the property. We also have letters received in support four
form different organizations and eleven from local residents. All think that the project in case of
local residents all believe that the project is more important and beneficial to the Town of
Southold and it's residents and will have minimal to no environmental impacts if we can find
ways to mitigate. I will remind everyone present, the Zoning Board cannot legally approve
anything that it cannot find consistent with the LWRP for mitigation measures. The applicants
have already proposed a number of mitigation measures and I'm not going to review all that I'm
going to leave that to the discretion of the attorney but what I think is instructive is I would like
to just briefly because this is an important project. It's a first for our town and I would like to read
excerpts from two of the environmental groups that are in opposition and then I would like to
follow that with excerpts from a couple of from two organizations that support the project. All of
them have expertise in their respective subjects so I think it's useful to do this so that we can
discuss this in a comprehensive way. The Northfork Audubon Society writes in opposition
requesting a denial because of the 325 acres of critically sensitive lands and habitat once which
the Town of Southold and Suffolk County have spent millions of dollars to acquire and preserve
the cost of which wasn't (inaudible) by the community. The two acre proposed site is located
directly adjacent to a section of A)the beta sound trail system part of a larger surrounding body
of both of tidal and freshwater wetlands, Pipes Cove Creek and Moores Drain Habitat and forests
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
where many species of birds including (inaudible) ducks, wood thrush and many warbles live
seasonally and breed. There are also river otters who are nomadic (inaudible) feeds, spend time
and possibly breed in these wetlands. They rely on wetlands to travel to and from nearby ponds,
(inaudible)Arshomamoque preserve and nearby Sage Blvd.where they fish and raise their young.
The NYS Energy Development Agency (inaudible) developed a battery energy storage model and
recommends before municipalities adopt local law a comprehensive plan outlining the goals and
policies for the installation, operation, maintenance and decommissioning a battery energy
storage systems must be adopted by the local governing board. They are correct in a sense that
many other municipalities have code for battery energy storage systems and we can look to that
code and we will no doubt we won't the Zoning Board can't but the Town Board will certainly be
adopting that in the future. They say that Southold Town needs to perform due diligence and
require a full scoping and environmental impact statement,that was prior to understanding that
all of those documents have been submitted and that the conclusion by the experts was that no
full additional scoping is necessary. NFAS the Audubon supports the development battery storage
facilities in conjunction with renewal energy projects all for lessening the use of inefficient peaker
plants but only if it's cited properly. So I will then say what Audubon, Northfork Environmental
Counsel has to say and I'm going to go on to letters of support. Please bear with me, I know this
is taking a bit of time but I think it will move us forward more quickly than repeating information
that has already been submitted. The Northfork Environmental Counsel has been advocating for
the protection of our local environment since 1972. We support the development of battery
storage facilities as they should be integral to renewable energy projects. We do not however
believe that the proposed location is the correct location for a lithium battery storage facility.
The subject site and other properties in the immediate area are included on numerous lists for
potential preservation. Many of the properties have already been protected had LI and LIO
designations similar to the proposed site so precedent has been set for the preservation of
environmentally sensitive properties within all zoning districts in the area.The two acre proposed
site contains approximately one half acre within a NYS Department of State designated
significant fish and wildlife habitat. One quarter acre is mapped as freshwater wetlands with the
potential for additional wetland area once naturalized. The parcel currently drains to two
wetland areas on the adjacent county parkland according to the Town's Land Preservation office.
Based on the proposed coverage of the parcel storm water runoff will be significantly increased
compared to current conditions. So it is not in support. I did want to say something that I did say
at the very beginning. This is a rather unusual situation in that we have a conceptual plan, we do
not have a final finished document. Typically the Zoning Board would have a very site specific
definitive plan. Because this is a green energy infrastructure project we agreed to hear this with
the understanding that many, many more levels of approval were going to be required should
the applicant obtain the contract from LIPA. They can't be specific yet because they don't know
what the LIPA standards will be, what they're specifications and requirements would be. There
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may not be a lot coverage issue.There may be other things. We just simply don't know yet and I
will give you a chance Mr. Losquadro to comment on that but I did want to 'say with regard to
their understanding the lot coverage that is what is on a conceptual plan right'now. Should they
need other variances they will be back before the Zoning Board should this be approved to obtain
t
them when that is determined. So I just want everybody to understand we're a long way off from
a final product. Now I want to turn to two approvals. One is from New York Battery and Energy
Storage Technology Consortium, William Acker Executive Director. This is according to the NY
Landmark 2019 Climate Leadership Community Protection Act which is referred to as CLCPA,this
man has served on that particular advisory panel and that group has been addressing how to
implement those goals including the need for more significant role for energy storage. In October
of 2020 the group released an independently prepared study by Strategen which found the
following. Long Island is home to twenty six fossil fuel power plants that's seldom operate and
impose significant cost on Long Island electric customers including four thousand three hundred
and seventy five megawatts of peaker plants that operate only fifteen percent of the time. This
includes national grids diesel fuel Southold peaker located within five hundred feet of the
applicant's proposed Suffolk County Energy Storage II, LLC project. To maintain these peakers
LIPA customers pay an estimated four hundred and seventy three million dollars annually almost
three times the competitive market rate for generation with resources cleared through NYISO's
competitive markets.Overthe next decade fossil peaker replacements could save LIPA customers
as much as three hundred and ninety three million representing savings of approximately three
hundred and sixty per household across LIPA's 1.1 million customers. I'll conclude with replacing
Long Island's oldest least efficient and most polluting fossil fuel peaker plants including National
Grid Southold diesel fuel peaker plant with lower cost, emission free energy storage will reduce
energy cost, create jobs, building more resilient power system and reduce air pollution and
greenhouse gases emissions in communities across Long Island including the Northfork and one
other thing,the New York League of Conservation voters has this to say. In 2021-2022 Long Island
Policy agenda NYLC(inaudible) priorities focus upon sustainable development, renewables, clean
air and electric vehicles specifically calling for promoting policies to invest in battery energy
storage technologies. Well NYLCD does not generally support or oppose specific projects Suffolk
County Energy Storage is the type of project that furthers the goal of cleaner and more
renewable, reliable energy as outlined in our 2021-2022 Long Island Policy Agenda. Such project
create local jobs reduce air pollution, stabilize the energy grid and help meet peak energy
demands implementing utility scale energy storage on Long Island's Northfork (inaudible) LIPA's
existing electrical grid displace emissions from old and inefficient diesel fueled peaking plants
and deliver more reliable electric service is a top priority forthe NY League of Conservation Voters
and we encourage their development installation to meet the state's 2019 Climate Leadership
Community Protection Act goals of(inaudible) renewable based electric generation by 2040. Now
I will only add one thing and then I'm done. This is a general support of these kinds of projects. 1
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don't believe they were aware of the specific site that this was going to be going on. Nevertheless
it (inaudible)to a future direction that is extremely important for all of Long Island and in fact the
entire country that would (inaudible). So with that being said I want to turn this over to Mr.
Losquadro and have you say whatever you'd like to say.
MR. LOSQUADRO : Thank you madam Chairwoman and members of the Board, good afternoon.
Could everybody hear me?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes.
MR. LOSQUADRO : Well I hope that you're all well. I wanted to thank you for that introduction
and also for noting the different types of support that's come in. I think as you said madam
Chairwoman it is varied in nature in that there are local residents who recognize that the site
here being industrial in nature can certainly support as of right uses that are much more intense
and in fact are uses that are intense are found right in the general area within a thousand feet in
any direction in which one might go along the Main Rd. In addition I think it's very important that
to note that some of these groups are environmental and very significant environmental
associations by their nature and when you look at the League of Conservation Voters as you
mentioned but also I believe (inaudible)for the environment which is one of the letters that was
set forth and a very significant and active environmental organization and that expressed
support. I think that also speaks to how benign the uses, how the use is essentially a zero impact
proposition as we discussed during the last hearing and that it accomplishes so many important
environmental goals and the promotion of renewable energy as we've discussed over time. I
would say this, obviously there's a very complete record that's been made. We had the
opportunity to present on February 411, you were very gracious as was the rest of the Board in
permitting us to set forth a very complete record with experts and people with a great amount
of experience in the industry and also engineers and others who spoke to the nature of the
property who compared and contrasted that with the uses that are present and permitted in the
area including on the site itself as an industrial site. In addition as you mentioned we were
thankful for the opportunity after the last hearing to receive as it was passed onto us by staff
comments that we were waiting for at the last hearing that hadn't arrived yet from staff and we
were able to respond. We respectfully submit very thoroughly in a very complete manner so
that's all part of the record now too and as you mentioned there was a March 1St letter and then
a letter dated March 2nd and then one thing madam Chairwoman it might have just been my
omission but I did not hear reference to the February 22nd letter that we submitted that was
specific to the issue of fire protection and safety and that was follow up but I would just note that
for the record as well. I know it's been received and I know that there have been many things
that have been sent back and forth but I just wanted to mention that in addition to the other
things that was presented by the applicant as well. So with all of that having been said, I think
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
what's most appropriate for us is to rest on the record. We presented again very completely, we
appreciated that opportunity,we appreciate the opportunity to be here again today to note what
has been added to the record in the interim and of course we'll follow the lead of the Board and
you and we're here to answer any questions on a follow up basis that you may have whether
that's with respect to thought about buffers or distance with respect to buffers or anything else
that you may wish to inquire about. At this point certainly we're pleased to rest on the record
and thankful that we had that opportunity and that our additional documents have been
submitted and again we thank staff because they very promptly passed on those documents to
us so that we could turn around responses often within twenty four or forty eight hours.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I appreciate how promptly you did respond and of course because we
have so many applications before us today I have managed to read them all with little sleep.
However I need to reread them and I think the Board needs ample time to read them.They were
very detailed responses in the SEAR Neg. Dec. and very detailed responses from you Mr.
Losquadro. You have offered a number of things in the record including the awareness that you
will need other approvals from other agencies and so on. This is step one, should it go forward
and what we're left with is looking at this sort of balancing although Special Exception Permits
are not a balancing test the way variances are. They have straightforward standards and so on
but we will be looking at ways to mitigate any possible impacts to the surrounding property.The
town has invested millions of dollars in preservation and we do have a wildlife habitat there, we
do have other things. We will have to consider lighting and making sure that it's minimal and only
to meet whatever security you need on the property. We'll have to increase that buffer and we
would like to talk to you about a possible easement. That way you don't need to go through
change of deed or property size but that way the hiking trails if we have an easement along the
wetland part where the hiking trails are that would guarantee that the town would be able to
enter it and clean it if necessary. We will want a bigger buffer than the 10 feet from the woods
that you're looking at. Of course you have already offered comprehensive screening all the way
around and that's frankly something you would have to work out. We know we don't actually we
have an example it's not final and so we can't really comment on what the visualization was other
than to say we will expect that you will work with the Planning Board on landscape screening of
whatever is appropriately designated on non-invasive species and no herbicides and pesticides
and all that sort of stuff. Looking at flood tolerance on the property. You will have to produce a
storm water management plan that will you know comply and will guarantee that soils which are
difficult soils, the hydrology is a little more complex on that property. You're going to have to
make sure that all that is working well and that if they need to be elevated on racks you'll do that.
You've already offered acoustical measures that can be done in the final site plan,you don't even
know how the layout is going to be at. We know that you can put the HVAC systems on the sides
or on the ground. So all those are things yet to be determined but we will be conditioning these
kinds of steps in any approval that might be forthcoming. I'm not going to say what the outcome
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
is going to be, we have to evaluate all the material in front of us. One other thing I want to ask
you about is, we don't have this in our code but when the Zoning Board was doing cell towers we
always had at the appropriate time a decommissioning plan submitted in this case it would likely
be the Planning Board should you get to that point and then a performance bond signed. That is
fairly standard,what it means I know you know I'm just saying in case people listening don't that
it just means that in the event that this is no longer functioning or needed and the use is relatively
abandoned that the applicant will have sufficient funds to remove all of the structures on the
property and restore it to its previous condition.That's basically what that is and we did that with
cell towers and I think what we do finally have a full code in our you know zoning code that we
will be making that standard as well. Brookhaven does it, Southampton does it I'm sure you're
not surprised by that.
MR. LOSQUADRO : That is standard, yes.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN: Yeah it's pretty standard. I'm going to shut up for a minute. Does the
Board have anything else they want to ask or say?Then I'm going to let the public speak.
MR. LOSQUADRO : After the Board speaks there's just one or two comments I would just like to
add to what you've just added right now. I'll wait of course and I'll see whatever else the Board
has to offer as well.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Anything from any Board members?I think what has to happen is they
have to really read this stuff thoroughly and see exactly what details are now in the fullness of
this application and all of the documents from other agencies that we've received. We have an
awful lot of information from Planning,from LWRP, from experts your experts, our experts,from
organizations that have expertise and we're just going to have to digest it. We're going to have
to do a very thorough read and I think it's I've actually reread the transcript and highlighted it
from the first public hearing and I will share that with the rest of the Board I mean they all have
it but it might make it easier for them to wain their way through all of the other documents if
they have some highlights in that cause that was very long. So anybody Rob or Nick did you or
Eric did you want to make a comment? Nick unmute yourself.
MEMBER DANTES : I do not have any comments at this time.
MEMBER LEHNERT : I don't have anything.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Sorry about that I thought I was unmuted.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :You are now.
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I am now. I have a question which I think came up in an earlier dialogue
but please clarify, I believe the application states that these batteries store sufficient power for
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
approximately eight hours of use for twenty eight thousand households approximately. Are
Southold residents prioritized in that or is this for all of eastern Long Island? How does the
distribution of the power work?
MR. LOSQUADRO : Well let me say this if I may, with respect to the very specific details of how
that works on a grid wide basis because it's the LIPA grid to which power is uploaded and
downloaded.We have Walter Meisner who is waiting in the wings if you will because Mr. Meisner
is here and perhaps you can allow him in because I could of course tell you very generally how
that works and that it's for the benefit of all LIPA rate payers because it's one grid but of course
I could also tell you that Southold residents will benefit very directly and substantially as all the
LIPA residents or rate payers. But I will let Walter speak to that because and I see now that he's
been allowed in because he can give you some specifics with respect to how this works within
the context of how the grid functions.
WALTER MEISNER : This is Walter Meisner with Savion. So I think Nick directly to your question,
effectively we cannot specify where those electrons go but what you will find is that as we're
connected directly to the grid as proposed in the LIPA substation across the street there
effectively what we're going to do is provide robust energy stability to that grid in that system.
Typically electrical you know generation services load is close by first and then as it's not being
used there it's you know effectively transmitted further. So I can't say that there's a preference
to local users but they obviously will benefit first from a project like this.
MEMBER DANTES : I think the other comment to add is I mean Southold is not the only town
that's getting a battery storage application, I mean they're coming in all over the island aren't
they?
MR. LOSQUADRO : That is correct.
MEMBER DANTES : So ideally every town will have their own facility.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : To that point,just a clarification particularly for people that are on here
listening and want to participate, when you talk about the point that Eric just made could you
elaborate further on the rational of why the battery storage needs to be in a close proximity to
the substation and not maybe twenty miles away?
WALTER MEISNER : This is Walter. In response to that, I think the close proximity to a substation
is key and the reason for that is you know as farther you get away from any type of inter grid
interconnection you end up you lose the robustness of the system and so you have losses over
any transmission lines and so when you get close to a substation and your communications are
closer, your actual integration into the grid is closer and so everything is just a lot more efficient
and it also allows you know less loss, less all of these other things including the infrastructure
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
installation. So if we're twenty miles away from an interconnection point we have to build
transmission for twenty miles.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Right and the cost differential.
WALTER MEISNER : Certainly, the cost is definitely lower the closer you would get to an
interconnection point.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : So in most of Long Island when again the battery storage is going to be
proposed in other towns you would definitely be looking then to put a facility near wherever the
substation was located, is that correct?
WALTER MEISNER : I would generalize that by saying that is likely the first point of anybody's
research into to building one of these yeah.
MR. LOSQUADRO :And if I may Walter,to follow up to Mrs.Acamp`ora's question just to be more
precise with respect to that, LIPA in its RFI/RFP process to place battery storage throughout all of
Long Island in all the townships to strengthen the grid and to promote renewable energy
identified nineteen what are called PO1's and in fact they're referred to as Preferred POI's,
Preferred Points of Interconnection. Interestingly the substation here which as we know is in
immediate proximity is the only location identified by LIPA as such in the town of Southold. So
that speaks to your point that there are preferred points of interconnection that have been
identified already by the utility as part of the is process of integrating renewable energy and
providing for this new green technology throughout Long Island with one location in Southold
which we've identified.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Okay, thank you.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I want to make one other comment because a lot of people have said
it's a great project on a very challenged difficult site, couldn't you find someplace else?So I went
and I read the LIPA RFP and found out that they basically put right in there that they were not
contemplating this Q&A part, they were not contemplating co-location on any of their sites at
this time. They didn't say why. I went and looked at the site with peakers in Southold, it's very
close to wetlands, it's badly sited anyway and I do believe that in order to locate anything on it
would require an enormous amount of land disturbance because it's you know that too is a bad
site basically. It's already noisy and from what I've been reading and as a professor I go right to
the scholarly sources and till my eye cross and I started reading about what lithium ion batteries
storage is all about and I now know more about molecules than I ever wanted to know.There are
occasionally fires but very rarely and it was mostly the fault and the fact that people who deal
with fire suppression didn't know how to do it well, that the local fire departments were not
properly trained in how to deal with it and you know those can all be handled. Actually that's
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Regular Meeting March 4, 2021
what a municipal code would do which we unfortunately don't have at this time and we can't
really afford to wait until the Town Board acts to put that into place to make a decision on this
application. Are there any other comments from the Board at this point otherwise I'm going to
turn it over to people who are in attendance and then turn it back over to you Mr. Losquadro so
you can have closing comments and we'll see where we're going from there.There were a couple
of people I think who wanted to be who had raised their hands Liz. Can you let them in please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : I'm only going to do one at a time for now.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Yes please that's fine. Okay it looks like Randy you're admitted unmute
yourself please.
RANDY WADE : Thank you all very much for your time and thoughtful consideration. One thing I
wanted to mention in going through the Master Plan was that it specifically calls out that energy
facilities, electric facilities should not be located on scenic byways 25 and 48. So for that reason
alone I think it is a significant impact, it's the gateway to Greenport and the you know one of the
things that an environmental impact statement would look at is community character and
aesthetics. The environmental issues that have already been brought out and are pretty
significant as far as wetlands, we know the property is wet itself and that mowing the lawn there
you can almost lose a lawn mower in the if you were to let it go it would be (inaudible) ponds
and wetlands the whole property. I also wanted to mention that the proximity to the peaker plant
which I still don't understand it and if I'm allowed to come back on I would like to ask Walter if
he could explain exactly what's there cause I drove in and it was a PG&E on the left and Nassau
Grid on the right. What exactly do they have there Walter?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Walter do you want to answer that?
WALTER MEISNER : I'm not quite sure what the question is but I wouldn't probably be able to
answer that either.
RANDY WADE :You've chosen this location because it's next to that facility which has been called
a substation, it's been called the peaker plant. I know that there's a national grid facility on the
right and PG&E on the left. Could you go into more detail about what is there that you are locating
approximate to?
MR. LOSQUADRO : I'm sorry Walter if I could just maybe frame it a little bit it. I think Ms. Wade
might be confusing two different things and I think as Ms. Weisman pointed out there is the LIPA
substation which is critical in that it's located very, very nearby so that becomes a point of
interconnection. But then I think as Ms. Weisman said there's also a peaker plant and that's a
noisy and polluting peaker plant which is something separate and is something that we don't
control that's something that someone else runs. We all know as a general proposition that the
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thought and the hope is that these noisy and polluting peaker plants eventually will be backed
down or eliminated by the increased proliferation of renewable energy and battery storage of
course is fundamental to making that happen but we're not responsible for the peaker plant or
its operation. So I just wanted to key that up for Walter before he answers that further.
MEMBER DANTES : Can you guys explain what a peaker plant is? I mean my understanding is that
it's a giant diesel power generator but maybe I'm wrong.
WALTER MEISNER : I believe it is.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : It's diesel powered.
WALTER MEISNER :Just to go to Randy to answer your question, so my understanding is that and
the infrastructure that we are interested in specifically is that substation and so there's a LIPA
owned substation that's back in that area and that's what we're it's about five, six hundred feet
from our project site and that's what we're proposing to connect into the grid with. As Steve has
already noted the diesel generator peaker plant is separate and that's maybe co-located in
generality because of the substation but that's a separate essentially a separate operation.
MEMBER DANTES : You're idea it that if you have the battery storage then they won't have to
run the diesel plants as much that's the general concept?
WALTER MEISNER : I believe that's the general concept yes.
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Well if I can just you know get in on this because I was on the public
service commission and I also represented the first assembly district. Those peaker plants work
in contract with LIPA so you had National Grid probably ran that. National Grid no longer has a
contract with LIPA, PSEG has a contract with LIPA and I would think if LIPA now is moving toward
the battery storage they will no longer have,a contract for those peaker plants. This is what
they're trying to get rid of, this is step with what the State Energy proposals for green energy
what the Governor has proposed and Governors,before him.So I hope that answers the question,
I think it does.
RANDY WADE : Okay thank you very much.That area that whole thing I would think I mean is this
a substation prone to flooding because that is a flood zone right there so I would think and
surprised you said that's the only location I thought there were several in the Town of Southold.
Also Southold Town has a plan for a solar field at the landfill and it just seems like you would
want a location that would be near green energy production. I mean that's what the whole goal
is and there's no way you have green energy production in this area cause it's completely
surrounded by wetlands and you're not going to have never had permission to have the solar
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field or wind field right there. So it seems like the proximity is too aging infrastructure in a flood
zone that is not going to be viable.
MR. LOSQUADRO : If I may just to address Ms. Wade, that's not how it works. What happens is
that there's going to be a proliferation as we know of renewable energy that's going to be coming
into the LIPA grid through solar but that's throughout all of Long Island and there's going to be
offshore wind in fact that's going to be the predominant source of renewable energy that's
coming in and so what LIPA has done or LIPA/PSE&G through their power markets group,they've
identified as part of this request for information which is then flowing into a request for
proposals, they've identified nineteen preferred critical sites where energy will be if you will
upload it and download it so it's not dependent upon being next to let's say a solar farm but what
it's dependent on is being next to those critical substations that will allow the grid as a whole to
flourish with renewable energy. So really by choosing this site LIPA has said this is what allows us
to best integrate renewable energy into our system which then meets the goals that you and me
and many other want which is with respect to those peaker plants as you identified they're noisy,
they're polluting, they use fossil fuels right. Eventually the plan is back them down, eliminate
them but you can't do that unless you have the battery storage first because the system won't
allow it.
RANDY WADE : Have you looked at the old Greenport (inaudible) site which is across the road
and just east of Chapel Lane so it's the same distance really to the substation?That's a question.
WALTER MEISNER : Walter here, I think in general Randy we've looked a lot of different places
and we've really settled on this being you know by far one of the best and it's for a number of
reasons. We've gone through it in the record but you know there's just an enormous benefit for
a project like this in an area it's already cleared. There's a very minimal environmental impact
from our perspective and even the connection to the grid to the substation we're so close and
we don't have to go through any tree clearing or wetlands to get there, we can essentially go
down the driveway for LIPA. There's a lot of benefits to a site like this and where it's positioned.
RANDY WADE : Well I could imagine if it had the same buffer as that LIPA facility I don't know do
you know how many feet back it is from the road?
WALTER MEISNER : I'd have to check. You're asking how far the substation is? I think we ran a
distance and it's in the plan set we're about 550 or 600 feet away.
RANDY WADE : Cause whatever that distance is that seems appropriate for a gateway location.
Scenic byway with a massive (inaudible) don't site an electric facility that it should have a natural
buffering of at least that dimension and then that might work. Thank you very much for your
time.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay Randy thank you. Steven would you like to address that scenic
byway because you did do it in your comments. So let the public hear what you had to say about
that.
MR. LOSQUADRO : Sure. I think what's really fundamental in addressing the scenic byway
comments and look obviously we appreciate the comments and respect the context in which
they're offered but I think also what we have to do is examine them within the larger real
(inaudible) context of everything that exists right there because when we're discussing a scenic
byway on the Main Rd. there. What I think is very important is to look at the uses that are up and
down the Main Rd. and I think and I will respectfully suggest and submit that we addressed that
very effectively by way of photographs and rather a,pretty comprehensive series of photographs
that we" presented to the Board. So when one looks if one goes one thousand feet or more in
either direction and takes the corridor as a whole going west and east and then also going north
going on the other side of the Main Rd. there are very highly intense uses. There are very
impactful uses,there are uses that visually may not be deemed by many to be visually appealing
and aesthetically appealing. There are scrap yards, and there's an asphalt plant, and there is
heavy machinery operations and what appears to be a salvage yard and all of these things have
been documented and these are uses that exist as of right and can't be removed and they
continue at this very moment and they're not screened and they're not buffered. In contrast the
use that we're going to be presenting which in addition to being a zero impact proposition in
relation to those uses which are again are as of right is going to be screened and is going to be
buffered and we've demonstrated actually how that will happen. I think one can argue and I think
it's only reasonable to assert that with respect to the scenic byway argument that this actually
promotes that as opposed to adding to what's already there which detracts from that.
CHAIRPERSON-WEISMAN : There was somebody else who wanted from the public who wanted
to make some comments or ask some questions or something. Can you bring that person in,
Chris. Chris would you unmute yourself please. You want to say something?
RANDY WADE : Can I just say one other thing while you wait?The Southampton code for battery
storage says not in a hotel area and there happens to be another hotel across the street. The
zoning code is almost like spot zoning that has captured these locations that are surrounded on
either side really by green.There's one that it's unbelievable that it was approved eight years ago
and we need to look into the setbacks.There is one storage yard two lots away that is completely
yeah in the wrong location you're so right. Anyway just take a look at Southampton and if we got
a code that would be super.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well the town needs to put a code in place because the code can
establish certain requirements that applicants will have to conform with but we don't have one
yet and we do have a timely project in front of us. Steven do you have any idea what the time
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frame is for the LIPA contracts what they're looking at in terms of when they're going to start
awarding these?
MR. LOSQUADRO : Madam Chairwoman, no one can say with certainty what LIPA will or will not
do and when the exact dates will be of issuance but what's generally understood is that within
the first half of this year.So one would think by the end of June that the actua'I second half of the
RFP will then be made public at which point then there will be active submissions and applications
will be made, proposals will be put in and then LIPA will set a time frame by which it will act on
those submissions. So by every account it will be forthcoming very soon.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Okay I just wanted to get an idea.There was someone with their hand
up named Hartnagel. They came off the list, they just were back on with a hand raised and now
she's gone again. The one thing that I can say is that there's an enormous amount of
documentation in place that we didn't have before and I want to make sure everybody has a
chance to look at it. I will remind all of you that and the Board for that matter that this is step
one and there is no way that we're going to be able to,prove anything on a land that we can't
protect the town's investment of millions of dollars in creating wildlife habitats supporting
existence of a wildlife habitat,from protecting freshwater wetlands and our aquifer and all of the
interconnected underground things. It's a tough one because you gotta look at the benefits of
both and we have to be able to protect both. If we could reasonably do that we can proceed. I
need to make sure that we can do something that is consistent with the LWRP. So there are some
safeguards in place. I'd like everybody to have an opportunity to read whatever is available now
if they choose to if they're interested. We need a little bit of time to scan all that all those
documents in. We certainly couldn't do it,this quickly, we just got most of them but they will be
done in the next several days.So I think it's you know if there's anybody in attendance who wants
to say anything this is a good chance to do it. If not I'm going to
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Leslie I move Jenn Hartnagel in .
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Oh good there she is alright, hello Jenn can you hear us?
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : We also have a Thomas, move him in too?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yep maybe somebody has enough wifi to actually say something.
THOMAS SARAKATSANNIS : Can you hear me, I'm on the phone?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes we can. State your name for the record please.
THOMAS SARAKATSANNIS : Yes it's the longest name here today, Thomas Sarakatsannis. With
your permission I'd like to ask a question and then point out something so it's really two parts.
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My question is to you, I attended the last hearing I recall you said Ms. Weisman that you were
waiting for a report and I thought it was from a Mr. Terry or something like that.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes we've received it.
THOMAS SARAKATSANNIS : Are you waiting for other reports as well?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Not at this time.
THOMAS SARAKATSANNIS : Okay thank you I missed the very beginning of this meeting and I
appreciate.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I went through all of the documents we received at the very beginning
and there are numbers of documents that are now in place and they are very detailed and they're
very substantial and they're very helpful.
THOMAS SARAKATSANNIS : Great and thank you for that and I apologize.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : It's available for you to review, don't apologize no need. It's all going
to be available for the public to look at. You'll find it interesting I think anybody in the
neighborhood would find it interesting I think and it's well written so it's not so technical. Some
is but you know when you start looking at decibel levels you know but there are sound studies in
there now that show with contour lines the extent of which ambient noise will spill over or not
both to the trails and to Drossos. I mean we have I believe just about everything we could possibly
think of in our file at this point. So I want to be sure the public has access to all of that and that
we have a chance to really thoroughly read it and maybe reread it and come to some full and
complete insight as to how we can make this work or not work, we'll see. I think Jenn Hartnagel
was connecting to the internet. I don't see a Jenn, says she's connecting to audio.
THOMAS SARAKATSANNIS : M's. Weisman if I may, just to point out one thing and thank you for
that I will read it and I think many others will as well. If I may follow up with Mr. Losquadro's last
comment about the scenic byway in response to the comment about that may I do that now?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yeah.
THOMAS SARAKATSANNIS : I think one of the observing this and I'm new to all of this but I find it
fascinating and very useful. There's a disconnect here everybody talks about it, there's these
competing interests and I think one of the reasons there's a disconnect my observation may be
helpful to someone here is that Mr. Losquadro points out that you can look a thousand feet this
way or that way and you can see all this stuff, what is being recited in that are old things, things
that have been in existence for a long, long time. They're not recognized today as particularly
good ideas or particularly contemporary. The most recent invasion if you will is what happened
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on the Costello property eight years ago. I think universally everyone is saying that was a bad
idea. I'm sure I wasn't there for that hearing I wish I were and had I been I'm sure the Costello
folks would have said hey look we have a right to this, there's worse things we can put on this
property than us believe me so we want to go we want to go forward with it cause we can. I think
that what's changed and what's part of the disconnect what we found out by the way was
Costello I think it's well recognized is it wasn't a good idea, it's not good for the environment and
had we been able to do it over again we could have. My guess is that the alternative to that would
have been permanent preservation because of the surrounding areas and now we're left with
one other parcel and Costello may never go back to permanent preservation. You got this last
parcel here, these folks with the batteries want to develop it. They're telling you (inaudible) far
worse. I think though that we have a one shot here for this permanent preservation and what's
happened and the reason it resonates today and part of this disconnect when someone
continually points out to you, look at all these horrible things that are a thousand feet this way
or that way worse than what we are it doesn't resonate today does it?That's because since the
early two thousands particularly in the Northfork area we've recognized the importance to the
community and the importance to the world at large of permanent conservation. We also
recognize the harm to the environment and the unpredictability over time you're talking-about
bonds because you are taking a long, long view and it's impossible for any of us to understand
the significance of a poisonous lithium battery. You talked about fire, seepage there's all sorts of
other things no one knows how they're going to dispose of all of this stuff around the world. It's
I think the long term and there's something that makes sense to me on this which is a twenty
first century view which is if we could get beyond this small two acre property get beyond the
batteries put it in its proper context for this century it's compatible with what you've been
accomplishing, it's compatible with other competing interests. We have been contributing to
funds to do exactly the alternative which is for permanent preservation and I think the long term
issue here is to not go back in time and say hey look at all these horrible things that asphalt and
things like that we-would never do that today that's not how we think and this is the wrong place
for a decent idea a good idea maybe even better than a good idea but they should have come
around a long time ago for that. It's the wrong time and the wrong place for that. I wanted to
make that clear because I sense that that's part of your disconnect here as a group. We're not
talking about that third possibility the third possibility that's been worked on really hard by a lot
of(inaudible) as a community and you're going to spoil that. Perhaps irrevocably because it won't
go back to permanent preservation ever and you may spoil it irrevocably by harming the vicinity.
That's all but I appreciate your time.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :We appreciate your comments. I thinkJenn is now actually connected.
JENN HARTNAGEL : Can you guys here me?
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Yes we can.
JENN HARTNAGEL : I'm so sorry about that. Thank you for allowing us to speak today. We
intended to attend this meeting to advocate or actually a positive declaration for this application.
I still think we believe that there are many environmental concerns that haven't been addressed.
The LWRP was .deemed inconsistent, the Department of Land Management issued that memo
detailing again the preservation efforts in the adjacent lands.The Planning Board said this project
is not supported by the Comp Plan and I question the adoption of a Neg. Dec. even the numerous
documents that were just submitted to the file that may not have been considered by this Board
at this time. In terms of what was considered in issuing the Neg. Dec. however we feel that an
assessment of need should have been discussed and would have been a great addition to a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement. There are other projects proposed on the Northfork. How
many of these facilities are needed and from a sound planning perspective how does this fit in
with the other plans?Are all of them needed?Yes LIPA chose this site but it's not appropriate if
this site flies in direct opposition to all of your town's planning documents. Just because LIPA
chose this site doesn't necessarily mean it would do no environmental harm which brings me to
my next point, the DEIS would have also considered alternative sites and that discussion really
hasn't been-had. For these reasons we had hoped that a Positive Declaration could have been
made. Again there are numerous permits and approvals that the town is going to require a
concise comprehensive document would have helped this process along and we still believe it's
necessary. I mean you can still rescind a negative declaration if there's new information in this
file that has not been considered and we urge you to do so. In the very least we ask that you
consider advising the Planning Board to consider some of these issues in terms of alternative
sites, assessment of any other environmental factors when this application gets pushed to that
Board. Again I think we're putting the cart before the horse here but it's complicated but again
we had hoped for a Positive Declaration to examine these issues and have proper public
comment in a comprehensive fashion. So thank you for the opportunity to comment today.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : You're welcome. Again the Neg. Dec. is very lengthy it's thirteen
pages, it's full of detail and it was actually done by the Planning Department as our consultants
because ZBA is lead agency. So I would urge you to look at those documents and we will hold this
open for additional written commentary so if any of you looking at it have some expertise or
opinions to offer we will welcome them and we will consider them. Is there anybody else out
there who wants to say anything or ask anything? Steven do you want to say anything more?
MR. LOSQUADRO : No I think actually with respect to the last two comments the last two
speakers that what we've said prior to that both on February 4th and today as well as what's
contained in all the written comments the letter, memos and responses addresses that very
thoroughly. But thank you again for that further opportunity.
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CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : We'll just conclude then by saying that this Board cannot approve
anything that cannot mitigate adverse impacts just keep that in mind. We're obligated to make
sure that we protect the environment but we are also obligated to look at the Special Exception
standards and what is permitted legally on that property and what is being proposed. The law is
clear it's very clear, it's not about I like it I don't like it. It would be easy if that was the case but
that's not the case. As I said this is step one and we'll see where it goes but I'm going to say
because we have such a massive amount of stuff to look at that I'm going to recommend
adjourning this to the Special Meeting which is on March 18th. That gives anybody who wants to
and Liz can you or Donna let me know about when you think we'll be able to have all the
documents that we recently received scanned in?
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Most of them have been scanned.The documents from Savion,
Mark Terry's I think Mark just sent me a newer one a new version today while this hearing is
happening he said to use this one. I haven't printed it out I don't want to lose the screen by
mistake. I will have that tomorrow on Laser. Most of the things have been put on Laser except
for the letters, the neighbor letters those have not been put on Laser.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Well I think we want everything on there all of the letters.
MR. LOSQUADRO : Ms. Weisman if I may, I think perhaps if Mr. Terry is adding something, then
it may be what I think cause one of the things that we identified and we wrote back again to staff
yesterday was that there appeared to be certain conclusions that he was reaching in the LWRP
analysis that appeared to be erroneous only because they did not take in to account our revised
LWRP form that we had previously submitted and I understand it can very well happen and in the
course of a lot of back and forth that something may not have made its way to someone or maybe
it did but they were already complete with part of their or all of their analysis. That was just
something I brought to everyone's attention yesterday and I think that also might shed some
light on mitigation measures other things because there were things that we brought to the
Board's attention through that enhanced and revised form that again addressed a lot of concerns
for everyone's benefit.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : I think those of you who haven't had a chance to look at everything
will find that there's an awful lot of information now available that we didn't have before. I guess
we're just going to leave this open to the Special Meeting so people can write in their comments
and they'll all be part of the public record, we'll consider everything that we receive and then
we'll decide at that meeting we won't have a decision at that meeting I'm sure but we will try to
have one shortly thereafter if we don't need to have another public hearing. I'm thinking we
probably won't because we have so much information now but I'm going to leave that open.
That's the proper way to do it you know keep an open mind and see what you get and have the
Board evaluate if we have everything we need, see what the public has to say and we'll move
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forward. So if there are no other comments from anybody then I'm going to make a motion to
adjourn this hearing to the Special Meeting on March 18th and that will give everyone an
opportunity to submit whatever else they wish to. Is there a second on that motion?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Seconded by Member Acampora. Liz would you call the roll please.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora how do you vote?
MEMBER ACAMPORA : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Acampora votes aye. Member, Dantes how do you
vote?
MEMBER DANTES : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Dantes votes aye. Member Lehnert how do you vote?
MEMBER LEHNERT : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Lehnert votes aye. Member Planamento how do you
vote?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Member Planamento votes aye. Chairperson Weisman how do
you vote?
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : Aye.
OFFICE ASSISTANT SAKARELLOS : Chairperson Weisman votes aye.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : The motion carries unanimously. We will see what we get by then.
We'll have a chance to really digest a lot of the stuff that's in there. I'm going to take a look at
what Mark's got certainly send them to Mr, Losquadro if he submitted something today. I just
looked at the amended stuff that I got yesterday so we'll take a look at that, we'll send it to you
to make sure that we're all looking at the same things. All of these require a lot of work from
everybody and I want to thank everybody involved in all of this. All of the town agencies that
submitted comments, all the public, all the applicants and his experts. This is a learning process
for a lot of us and we want to make sure we get this right so we want to really consider everything.
I want to thank you all for the time you put in and for the written comments that everyone has
submitted. So we will continue this on March 18' and as things come into the office we will post
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them on Laserfiche so it will be available to everybody and we will automatically forward to you
Mr. Losquadro.
MR. LOSQUADRO : Thank you again.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN : You're very welcome. Okay I guess that's it on here. I have two other
items on the agenda ministerial stuff.This is a resolution forthe next Regular Meetingwith public
hearings to be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. so moved, is there a second?
MEMBER DANTES : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Seconded by Member Dantes.All in favor raise your hands please.The
motion carries unanimously. A resolution to approve the Minutes from the Special Meeting held
February 18th so moved, is there a second?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : Second.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :Seconded by Member Planamento.All in favor raise your hand please.
The motion carries. I believe that's all. I'm going to make a motion to close this meeting. Is there
a second?
MEMBER PLANAMENTO : I'll second it.
CHAIRPERSON WEISMAN :All in favor. It passes unanimously.
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CERTIFICATION
I Elizabeth Sakarellos, certify that the foregoing transcript of tape recorded Public
Hearings was prepared using required electronic transcription equipment and is
a true and accurate record of Hearings.
Signature
Elizabeth Sakarellos
DATE : March 18, 2021
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