HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA-01/17/1980Southold Town Board of Appeals
-~OUTHOLD, L. !,, N, Y. 11~'71
TELEPHONE [516] 765-1809
APPEALS BOARD
MEMBERS
CHARLESGR GONIS. JR., Chairman
SERGE DOYEN, JR.
TERRY TUTHILL
ROBERT J. DOUGLASS
MINUTES
SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD OF APPEALS
JANUARY 17r 1980
A regular meet±ng of the Southotd Town Board of Appeals was
held on Thursday, January 17, 1980 at 7:30 o'clock P.M. at the
Southold Town Hall, Main Road, Southold, New York 11971.
Present were: Charles Grlgonis, Jr., Chairman; Terry R.
Tuthill, Serge Doyen, Jr. Absent was: Robert J. Douglass.
PUBLIC HEARING: Appeal No. 2658. Application of ROBERT F.
LARSON, 72A Nassau Point Road, Cutchogue, New York (by John M.
Czygier, Jr., Esq.) for Variances to the Zoning Ordinance: (a)
Article III, Section 100-30(2) (c) for permission to keep pony and
horse for personal use with less than 40,000 square feet devoted
to such use on the subject premises, and (b) Article III, Sec-
tion 100-32 for permission to construct accessory stable in front-
yard area. Location of property: Nass. au Point Road and Bridge
Lane, Cutchogue; Nassau Point, Map No. 156A, Lots 130 and 129;
bounded north by Hillmer, west by Bridge Lane, south by Nassau
Point Road, west by Roche.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 7:30 P.M. by reading the
application for variances, legal notice of hearing and affidavits
attesting to its publication in the local and official newspapers,
Notice of Disapproval from the Building Inspector, and letter from
the Town.Clerk that notification to adjoining property owners was
given to: Francis W. Roache, Mr. and Mrna' Carl D. Hillmer; fee
paid $15.00.
CHAt~ We have a sketch of the property. There's a
dwelling and the total acreage of the property is approximately
54,000 square feet. This happens to be a corner lot so that
creates extra problems. Is there anyone who wishes to speak in
behalf of the applicant?
JOHN CZYGIER, JR.: Ii'm the attorney for Mr. Larson. My I
lie these here? Gentlemen, madam, ladies and gentlemen in the
Southold Town Board of Appeals
-2-
January 17, 1980
audience. If I might, on behalf of Mr. Larson, just basically give
you a little background of the situation here. Mr. Larson purchased
the property in 1975. Parenthetically I might add that prior to his-
MRS. HILLMER: Excuse me. 1976. We are the Hillmers and we
live next to it. He bought it after us.
CHAIRMAN: Your name, please, ma'am.
MRS. HILLMER: Mrs. Hillmer.
MR, CZYGIER: May I be allowed to continue uninterrupted; if I
am wrong in the fact and I am to be corrected I am sure that the
Board will allow them to have ample time.
CHAIRMAN: Yes, if you have questions let them come through
here, and we'll get them out of him.
MR. CZYGIER: If it is 1976, I'll stand corrected, ok? My
information revealed 1975. However, let me just pass these out
now before I forget. These are additional maps of the property.
If there is anybody else who would like to have a copy in the
audience-- (Mr. Czygier distributed the copies he had to the Board
and a few persons in the audience.) I think what I was trying to
point out, that at the time of the purchase or in contemplation of
the purchase, Mr. Larson did inquire before buying the property
whether or not he would be able to maintain the horses on the
property, because, in moving out to Southold Town one of the pur-
poses of the move was to be able to keep horses, again, for his
own family personal use. He does not raise horses, he does not
maintain the stable of horses. He maintains one horse and a pony.
He inquired from local real estate brokers as to the requirement
for the keeping of a horse and he was informed, although by a real
estate broker, that the statute provided for a 40,000 square feet
mlnimum for the keeping of a horse on a parcel. Based on that
information, the parcel we're dealing with here tonight owned by
Mr. Larson containing 54,000 square feet was sold to him to be
ample for the keeping of a horse. I just mentioned that to show
you that Mr. Larson is not coming into the Town putting himself
in the position in which he knew '%here was going~to~be a problem
and then asking for relief from this Board. As I mentioned, the
area is approximately 54,000 square feet. There is one dwelling
located in the extreme northwest corner of the property, which is,
you can see it on the map, is the very little area on the sides
if you want to call it the sides, if you want to call it the rear
of the building, you may. The parcel is bound~ed oa.actually three
sides by roadways. I believe one is Bridge Lane, one is Nassau
Point Road, and the other roadway on the map as it appears there,
is a roadway on a filed map although it is not a Town~mainta±ned
highway, it is legally a roadway on a filed map. Ok? The situation
as it stands today is basically as it stood back in 1976, or 1975,
when Mr. Larson purchased the property~ He has the herses. In
~ecember of 1979 he applied for a building permit in order to Put
up an accessory structure, which basically was a lean tooth~type
structure to house the horses. Ok. That as the Board stated was
~outhold Town Board of Appeals -3- January 17, 1980
denied, based on two reasons: (1) the interpretation of the Board,
I'm sorry, the interpretation of the Building Department of Section
100-30 of the Code regulations, in which they interpret to say that
in order to have a horse you need 40,000 square feet exclusively
for the use of that horse. It was also denied on the fact that the
structure was to be placed theoretically in Mr. Larson's frontyard
because of the fact that the roadway forming almost a point on his
property there, the accessory structure was to be located actually
in the middle of his yard taken in conjunction with the location of
the house was considered to be his frontyard. Now, I'd like to just
address a few comments to the interpretation of the statute, Section
100-30(2) (c) . I think the language you are~concerned with is the
language which reads, "the land area devoted to such use," that use
being keeping one or two horses for personal use, "shall not be less
than 40,000 square feet." t think the reliance on that statute as
the denial on Mr. Larson's application was misplaced, because what I
think the Building Departmsnt is doing, intentionally or unintention-
ally, is reading in one more word into that sentence, and that is the
word 'exclusively' after the word devoted. And what they are basic-
ally saying, that the land area devoted exclusively to such use must
be 40,000 square feet. 1 don't think that that is the intent of the
statute. If it is the intent of the drafters of the statute, there
are remedies ~n which they can change the statute. I don't think
that the framers of the legislation intended that a person needs two
acres ~n order to own a horse. It does not say that here. There are
othsr towns which do have that regulation, and they clearly spell out
the fact that in order to own a horse you need two acres, or approxi-
matelY 80,000 square feet. I don't think it is the intention of the
legislature, excuse me, I don't think it was the intention of the
drafters of the legislation to say that if you have two horses you
need a 40,000 square-foot corral, ok? Because I think that would
cause extreme practical difficulties, because if you had six horses
then you would need for every two horses you would need 40,000 feet
of square footage, or three acres really, in addition to maybe a
40,000 square-foot area for the house. Basically, I'm asking the
Board for a~ interpretation of that statute in accordance with the
allowance of Mr. Larson to keep the horse on a 54,000 square-foot
parcel. With respect to the rearyard denial of the application, I
think a 'literal application of the zoning regulation pertaining to
the rearyard would create practical difficulty again, basically,
based on what is contained on the map that I passed out, and the
location of the house~ the area, I'm not sure exactly when this
lot was subdivided or split up, but it left the dwelling what is
now the dwelling in a position which would make it almost impossible
to use any other part of that parcel except the parcel which is
considered his front yard. And to deny him the use of that frontyard
area would be basically saying that that yard is useless to him for
any purpose. I should mention the fact that the map is, I'm sorry,
the lot is heavily wooded and that it will remain so if he is
allowed to keep the horses there. It is, as I mentioned earlier,
bounded on two sides by a public road and on one side by a roadway
on a public, on a filed map which is still in effect. In conclusion
all I'm trying to point out tonight is not the fact that Mr. Larson
is here to fight and create trouble with his neighbors. I don't
Southold Town Board of Appeals -4- January 17, 1980
think that's his intention at all. As I stated, when he moved into
the Town he inquired, he wanted to be very careful about the parcel
that he bought in order that he could use that parcel for keeping
horses. Ok? This is Southo!d Town. It's a rural area, it's not
Levittown where we're asking to keep two horses on a auarter of an
acre parcel. The man has 54,000 square feet. He's asking to keep
one horse and one pony for his personal use. He is not asking to
build a stable; he's not asking to maintain six, or seven, or eight
horses. Basically we have a problem here that I think was created
only because of animosity between certain neighbors against Mr. Larson
related to other conflicts that have occurred in recent months. The
situation, as I stated earlier, started in 1975 or 1976-- Mr. Larson
has had those horses since that time. I don't believe there was ever
any complaint as to his keeping those horses or they have created a
nuisance in the neighborhood for all that time. Basically the thrust
of my argument is that in no way will the keeping of these horses by
Mr. Larson detract from the area Or the neighborhood. In fact Mr.
Larson has received letters saying that many people consider it to
be an attractive addition to the neighborhood because of the fact
that it adds to the rural character and quality of the neighborhood.
And that is Mr. Larson's request. Are there any questions which to
direct to me?
CHAIRMAN: Not at this time, but maybe a little later.
MR. CZYGIER: If I may, I would just to call one witness, if
I may, and %hat is not Mr. Larson, because I feel that we're asking
here basically for an interpretation of the statute and I think I've
summed up Mr. Larson's position. I hope I have. What I have done
I've taken the liberty of asking--I haven't brought down a bus load
of people or a carload of people to come down here and argue. That's
not our intention. I did ask Mr. Larson to bring someone from his
neighborhood whose house is approximately the closest house to his
lot. And I would ask Mr. RoChe.
CHAIRMAN: Would you like to make a statement, Mr. Roche.
MR. CZYGIER: Mr. Ro~he~ I would like you to tell the Board
where you live.
MR. ROCHEs: I live right next to Mr. Larson, about 40 or 50
feet away. A little less than that.
CHAIRMAN: It would be to the east of him, wouldn't it?
MR. ROCHE.:North. They've got the directions wrong.
MR. CZYGIER: Would you want me to just ask him a few questions
that I have?
CHAIRMAN: Sure.
MR, CZYGIER: Are you familiar with the hOrses on Mr. Larson's
property?
~outhold Town Board of Appeals -5- January 17, 1980
MR. ROCHE:
~. ~ Yes.
MR. CZYGIER: Approximately how close is your house to Mr.
Larson's?
MR. ROCHE:~ My house to Mr. Larson's? Thirty or 40 feet.
MR. CZYGIER: Would you say you're the closest house to his
property?
MR. ROCHE: I think so.
MR. CZYGIER: Do you have any objection to the keeping of his
horses?
MR. ROCHE: No objection at all.
MR. CZYGIER: Have they ever posed a nuisance to you or
bothered you in any way?
MR. ROCHE: No. They sit on their own property and he runs
them around in his little acre, or acre and a half. And there is
no nuisance, or anything.
MR. CZYGIER: Thank you, Mr. Roche, for coming down.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you.
MR. CZYGIER: I am prepared to answer any questions if the
Board has any.
CHAIRMAN: Ail right, well we'll see what happens. Thank you.
Is there anyone else here who would like to speak for it?
W.S. GARDNER: I'm President of the Nassau Point Property
Owners Association. I sent you gentlemen a letter.
CHAIRMAN: Would you like me to read it to everyone?
MR. GARDNER: No, that would be just for your information.
My main point in being here ~as. President of the Association
is to know what the Association tries to do in situations like
this. We try to get the immediate neighbors aware of the facts
and have them come out and express their feelings because I know
you're impressed by and understand what the neighbors feel. I
sent out, not to the whole membership, but about 30 copies of a
fact sheet which I had gotten from the building office to the
immediate neighbors. Mr. Roche was one, and the rest of the people
you see here received copies. I must say that most of the comments
I got on the telephone, and this was a very hot subject, one of the
hottest I've had since I've been the President. My phone has been
ringing; people have been coming to the house, mostly objecting to
this. Ail objecting to it. I'm very pleased to see the number of
people that have come out. I don't know whether they're for it or
Southold Town Board of Appeals -6- January 17, 1980
against it, but they came out. And that's our purposes. I may say
something personally about it later, but I do want to ~y one thing
that the attorney I think has a little bit confused. One, this is
not a question of interpretation--I'll talk to that later. This
is a question of granting a variance. I understand from the build-
ing inspector that this interpretation on 40,000 feet needed for a
horse exclusively is the interpretation by the Town Attorney, Mr.
Tasker. And I think that pretty well solves the question of inter-
pretation unless there's a court case on the interpretation, which
is not obviously the function this evening. Now, I'd like some of
the neighbors to say what they feel, whether they are for it or
against it. So I will leave it to them now.
SERGE DOYEN: You were asking'for..
MR. CHAIRMAN: Was there anyone here other than the two gentle-
men who spoke for it that would like to speak for it? (There was
no response.) All those, or anyone here, a~ainst it? I'd like to
give you all a chance but we will have to limit you a little bit to
your time because it could take a long time. I'll start with this
gentleman down here.
MR. HILLMER: I'm an immediate neighbor of the Larson property.
We are very much affected by the unsanitary condition. I have
gathered 26 houses, people of houses in the immediate neighborhood
and they all signed this petition here, which are all very much
against it and we are affected by the smell of the horses, by the
flies which they create, by their horse droppings. They are all
over their property which is very unsanitary to us. We have.been
against it but we have kept quiet about it, but at this point we
feel that these people who signed this petition are all very much
against it.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Would you spell your name for the secretary?
MR. HILLMER: Hillmer.
MRS. HILLMER: I certainly resented the way that lawyer
presented the case. He gets Mr. Roach over here. Mr. Roach is
on the west side, he doesn't even see the horses. We are mostly
affected with our driveway and twice, three times their horses
came in front of our property, at the living room once, and at
the kitchen~in the back, and never even excused themselves. The
horses got loose. If anybody is affected by this, it's us. And
for the lawyer to point out that we are the ones are causing that,
it's not so. We resent it very, very much. We have a nice home
and we keep it nice on our property, and this certainly is no
improvement to us.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you. Who's next in the next row?
MRS. FRYE: I would like to say that that property is not
heavily wooded.
~outhold Town Board of Appeals -7- January 17, 1980
MR. CHAIRMAN: We were down there. There were other hands
up, do you still want something to say?
J. BLAKEY: I live right across the street from it, and
I do get the odors and the flies all summer long. I'm right across
Nassau Point Road from where they keep the horses,~and it has been
very unpleasant.
MS. BEHLEN: I live a little down from Mrs. Btakey and also
in the summertime it's kind of difficult to live with these odors.
MR. DEVENDORF: I object to it as well. I like horses but I
really think that the Nassau Point and where they are particularly
ks not a proper place for the horses. It can have only one effect
on surrounding properties and that would be adverse.
ELLSWORTH FULLER: I think the situation of'stabling the
horses is one thing, but it hadn't been mentioned these horses
are ridden all over the community. On the beaches, private proper-
ty, and it's hard to keep them off. And there have been times
there have been three horses. Not just one horse and a pony. The
pony is a pretty good sized pony, and I would say it probably has
all of the attributes of a horse. I'm opposed. By the way, we
have no bridal paths on Nassau Point, and they are being ridden
frequently.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there anyone else? Terry, did you have any
questions you wanm to ask?
MR. TUTHILL: Well, there's a gentleman down there.
JOHN ONEILL: My name is John ONeill. I reside at Nassau Point
and it's not in the vicinity of Mr. Larson's property. I over-
heard the attorney say many letters were sent to Mr. Larson favoring
his having the horse and pony. Have those letters been presented to
the Board? If not, then I would think they should be.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The only thing in the file on it is the letter
from Mr. Gardner to the members of the Board of Appeals. Would you
like me to read it?
MR. O'NEILL: No, I think the attorney should produce these.
MR. CZYGIER: If I may respond? I do have a letter, and I do
have a petition which I did not want to bring in because, of course,
anyone can sign a petition and it's very easy to sign a petition and
not really become involved with the situation. A petition has been
afforded against the horses. I'll produce a petition in favor of
the horses. I have a letter, if the Board wishes to make this part
of the Board file, I will offer that. That's the letter. Again
the only reason I did not offer these items earlier was because in
many ways, maybe I'm thinking back to the rules of evidence and
what would be considered hearsay or inadmissible evidence, but if
the Board so wishes I will submit them. Just one more point, if I
said heavily wooded, I have some photos which may indicate-- if I'm
Southold Town Board of Appeals ~8- January 17, 1980
incorrect in "heavily" my characterization of the property as being
heavily wooded, I apologize. Suffice it to say, I think the pictures
exhibit there~is quite a number of trees on the property which do
shield the property. I think that the Board is familiar with the
property and; of course, anything t may say they could either discount
or take any way they want.
MR. GARDNER: May I ask a question? I would just like to see
now that we both presented petitions, I'd like to see how many of
the people that are here tonight that signed your petition. Would
you have them stand?
MR. CZYGIER: I didn't say anyone that signed my petition was
here.
MR. GARDNER: No, but I just want to see how many that signed
your petition are here tonight.
MR. CZYGIER: If the Board wishes to do that. I don't see the
relevancy, but--
MR. GARDNER: I just wanted to show how many are here tha~ ~
signed the other petition. Because you seem to discredit-petitions.
And I just wanted to show that our petition, I think has more
weight than yours does.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Well, I don't think it would make that much
difference whether they are here or not. If they signed it, they
believe in it.
MR. GARDNER: Well, all right, all right. That's all right
if you believe in it. But he discredited it.
MRS. HILLMER: There's an address on every one of the signatures.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Does anyone else have anything on this? Do you
have any questions.
TERRY TUTHILL: Charlie, i'd< just like to ask you. As you
know I was unable to meet with the Town Attorney. Has he inter-
pretated this as being exclusively for the use of horses, 40,000
square feet?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Right. His interpretation is that on a property
that is going to have a dwelling and horses, the dwelling must have
40,000 square feet. That's the interpretation the attorney gave,
the Town Attorney, and if they are going to have horses they are
going to have to have another 40~000.
PERSON FROM AUDIENCE:You're speaking loosely of horses verses
horse.
MR. CHAIRMAN: It's horse, the way it reads right here, the
keeping of not more than two horses and/or ponies owned and used
Soutkold Town Board of Appeals -9- January 17f 1980
by the owner of the premises for his personal use provided that the
land area devoted to such use shall not be less than 40,000 square
feet.
PERSON FROM AUDIENCE: That was this application. But I mean
the attorney's-
MR. CHAIRMAN: This is the ordinance, the regulation in the
ordinance. The requirements. Up to two horses or ponies.
MRS. HILLMER: But 40,000 square feet especially only for the
horse.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Right, especially only for the horse. And the
attorney say that a dwelling now has to have 40,000 square feet.
That's something like in a two-family residence, too. If you get
the 80,000 square feet you're all right. Most of the time anyway
you're all right. If no one else has anything, I'll close the
hearing and we'll make the decision later on this evening if we
don't get done too late, or very soon, and you will be notified
and you can find out by calling the office.
M~. GARDNER: Welt, then there is no point in our waiting?
MR. CHAIRMAN: No, we're running behind and we've got quite a
bit of work to do yet tonight.
On motion made by Mr. Tuthill, seconded by Mr. Grig~nis, it
was
RESOLVED, that the matter of ROBERT F. LARSON, Appeal No.
2658 BE RESERVED ITS DECISION until the proper time.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
PUBLIC HEARING: Appeal No. 2659. Application of SOL BERG,
3810 Pine Neck Road, Southold, New York (by John Bertani Builder
Inc.) for a Variance to the Zoning Ordinance, Article III, Section
100-32 for permission to construct accessory structure in frontyard
area. Location of property: 3810 Pine Neck Road, Southold; bounded
north by Pollert, Gibbons, Hamilton, Conroy, Pulitzer, and Jockey
Creek, west by Marchese, south by Pine Neck Road, east by Jockey Creek.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 8:03 P.M. by reading the
application for a variance, legal notice of hearing and affidavits
attesting to its publication in the local and official newspapers,
Notice of Disapproval from the Building Inspector, and letter from
the Town Clerk that notification was given to adjoining property
owners; fee paid $15.00.
~outhold Town Board of Appeals -10- January 17, 1980
MR. CHAIRMAN: We have copies of the proposed location of the
accessory to be placed in the frontyard. Do you know exactly what
you're going to wind up with there?
JOHN BERTANI: Well, it's ~ar~formal gardens that have al-
ready been, most of the work has been completed on the garden and
they had in their original plan a garden house or patio so that
you could sit out and view, and like I said the house is so
situated, and is at least 5-1/2 or 6 acres considered frontyard
area, and I think it would kind of ruin the whole garden if this were
not permitted to be built there. And it's open on three sides,
you know, it has some trellises and things like that. It's
nothing where it could be closed in and used as a permanent struc-
ture.
MR. CHAIrmAN: How far from the street line, John, would it
be about?
MR. BERTANI: I think it's, I had it on the survey--
MR. CHAIRMAN: Wait a minute. Here it is, 80 feet. Does
anyone else have questions or want to speak for it? (There was
no response.) Does anyone wish to speak against it? (There was
no response.)
After investigation and inspection, the Board finds that the
applicant requests permission to construct a garden structure in
the frontyard area approximately 80 feet from the front property
line.
The Board finds that the circumstances present in this case
are unique, and that strict application of the ordinance would
produce practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship. The Board
believes that the grant of a variance in this case will not change
the character of the neighborhood and will observe the spirit of
the zoning ordinance.
On motion made by Mr. Tuthill, seconded by Mr. Grigonis, it
was
RESOLVED, that Sol Berg, 3810 Pine Neck Road, Southold, New
York BE GRANTED permission to construct accessory garden structure
in the frontyard area as applied for, subject to the approval and/or
recommendations of the Suffolk County Planning Commission pursuant
to Section 1332 of the Suffolk County Charter.
Location of property: 3810 Pine Neck Road, Southold, New York;
bounded north by Pollert, Gibbons, Hamilton, Conroy, Pulitzer and
Jockey Creek, west by Marchese, south by Pine Neck Road, east by
Jockey Creek. County Tax Map Item No. 1000-70-006-033.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrso Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
Southold Town Board of Appeals -11- January 17, 1980
PUBLIC HEARING: Appeal No. 2655. Application of ROBERT
WADDINGTON, JR., Tuthill's Lane, Aquebogue, New York (Richard F.
Lark, Esq.) for Variances to the Zoning Ordinance, Article III,
Section 100-31 for permission to construct dwelling with insuffi-
cient frontyard setback and for approval of access pursuant to
New York Town Law Section 280A. Location of property: Miami
Avenue and Soundview Avenue (private street), Peconic; bounded
north by Mathat Reatty Corp. Inc., southeast by Miami Avenue,
southwest by Soundv±ew Avenue (private street) and northwest by
Booth. County Tax Map Item No. 1000-67-006-016.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 8:12 P.M. by reading the
application for variances, legal notice of hearing and affidavits
attes%±ng to its publication in the local and official newspapers,
Notice of D~sapproval from the Building Inspector, and letter
from the Town Clerk that notification to adjoining property owners
was made; fee paid $15.00.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We have copies of the survey of the property.
Dick, do you have something further you would like to add to this?
MK. LARK: Yeah, just very briefly to clarify any confusion.
The application is two-fold. It appears that Miami Avenue, and
y~u~ve all seen the property I. assume. Miami Avenue has never
been approved by the Board although there are existing houses on
there. In fact 1 think there are two or three that are on there
right now. But they were built before the zoning ordinance and
nobody bothered with getting approval as we have to do today. The
other thing, although Miami Avenue is open it's shown as a 50-foot
wide -- 50-foot wide road on all the maps. In reality it's only
about 15 or 20 feet, you know, wide to get in and out of. It's
dirt surface. The Building Inspector has viewed the lot in ques-
tion as a corner lot, even though the other road is nothing more
than a paper street on a map, and as a result the zoning ordinance,
100-34 requires that where you have a corner lot to have two front-
yards at 50-foot mn width, as you are well aware of, and this is
impossible since the lot is only 48 feet wide to begin with. So
therefore it was felt that the most reasonable and appropriate use
of the land was to make Miami Avenue the street and have the front-
yard there and conform to the ordinance of 50-foot setback there,
and then make the other street, have a sideyard as is shown on the
plan, I believe is 16 feet. That would be the Soundview Avenue
which has never been opened, and by the way is only a 40 foot in
width on all the previously filed maps, so it couldn't be dedicated
or meet any type of Planning Board standards today. So this is
the reason for the application. It's for a frontyard variance, if
you would on a nonexistent street, and to get approval of 280A to
have access of Miami to the nearest public road, which is Mill Road.
Do you have any questions?
TERRY TUTHILL: What's the size of the house. Dimensions.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Twenty by 35.
MR. WADDINGTON: Twenty by something. Possibly 35.
Southold To~n Board of Appeals -12- January 17, 1980
MR. LARK: I think it was attached to the-- 20 foot wide
by 35 foot long. That's what he applied for with the Department
of Health and four the Building Permit. By the way, the Department
of Health has given approval for the well and the cesspool location
on this lot. So if it is sufficient to accommodate that by today's
standards, then, as I say again, we're here for the frontyard
variance because of the paper street. The Building Inspector
for some reason ruled that it's a corner lot and for the access
and the 280A, since apparently that's never been done.
MRo TUTHILL: ~at did you say about the water and the cesspools?
MR. LARK: They've been approved by the Department of Health.
Location, yes.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there someone else that has something to
add to this?
HELEN BOOTH: How wide is the property in the back?
MR. LARK: Forty-six point seven according to the surveyor.
MRS. BOOTH: Well how can you build if you have, where you
have to have 50 foot?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Well, he can't get it. There's no way of getting
it.
MR. LARK: The lot's been held as the application indicates as
single and separate since 1938. We're not here on an area variance
or a use variance. We're here primarily on this frontyard because
the zoning ordinance got changed in 1972 where you have a so-called
corner lot you have to have two frontyards according to the zoning
ordinance. One on each street, and the one street here is a paper
street. It's not opened at all, so they deemed it a corner lot.
If the Building Inspector had not deemed that a corner lot, we
wouldn't have to have a variance request. We'd be here just under
280A, aad as I said to you, the house right across the street and
one right up the road towards Mill Road, so, they are already
presently using the place, but apparently a formal approval has
never been obtained from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
MR. CHAIRMAN: It's never been here before. Are there any
other questions?
MR. TUTHILL: The lady had a question, and I think the answer
that it's a legal lot that predates the present zoning.
MR. CHAIRMAN: And that brings up the question whether you
can deny the man the use of his land in there.
SERGE DOYEN: As a point of clarity the dimensions of the
house are pretty well determined by the variance if it's granted.
The house size is determined to you more or less by the variance
if it's granted.
~outkold Town Board of Appeals -13- January 17, 1980
MR. LARK: Yeah, due to the size and the shape of the lot.
That's correct. And that's why we're asking a 16-foot--
MR. DOYEN: In other words, you can'~ exceed that.
MR. LARK: No.
MR~ CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Dick. Miami Avenue is going to
be your right-of-way, I mean your access?
MR. LARK: Right. I say Miami Avenue and I put quotations
around it because that's where it appears, even on the Town maps,
it appears as Miami Avenue. But it's nothing more than a
right-of-way, right.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Do you have any idea, Dick, whether Soundview
is an approved access up till now?
SECRETARY: No, it's not.
MR. LARK: No, it's just woods. It's never been opened.
Th.ere's a lady who lives right here. When I looked at the
property, it was nothing more than maybe at one time a Cart path
through there. It's never been used as a road, it's never been
opened up. In fact there are some fairly substantial trees
growing there. On the subdvision that I think was filed in the
1920's, Map of Bailey Park or something like that, isn't that
correct. Right.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I thought we had a note here from, on improving
the right-of-way, there was just a little question about just which
one they were talking about. If your frontyard and your access is
going to be Miami, that's the only one--
MR. LARK: That's the one we're asking for. That's existing.
MR. CHAIRMAN: That's the only one you would have to improve.
So, if there is nothing to add from anyone else, a resolution is
in order to grant this with the 50-foot setback off Miami Avenue.
TERRY TUTHILL. I offer a resolution that it be approved
subject to the fact that the requirements for the improvement
of the access road as set down by the Board of Appeals will be
a condition.
MR. LARK: We request that be waived because I don't know
who owns it. It's been in existence, and as this lady will tel
you, maybe 50 or over 100 years, and there are presently two
dwellings on the road using it. And I think it would be an unfair
burden to this property owner at the end of the road to have to
develop it. It's an established right-of-way in and out there
and apparently has been adequate for years for vehicular traffic.
It's not like he was making it brand new, or he owned the road.
He doesn't own the road and I would not want to incur any liability
for him on making any type of improvement with the bank run and
~outhcld Town Board of Appeals -14- January 17, 1980
stuff like that. There isn't a drainage problem there today,
the people are able to get in and out. And he didn't wan~ to
open it up any further because one of the beauties of that area
is its seclusion, private back there. And if he owned it, or
he was the sole one using it, I would have no objection. But
there are presently two other people using it, and I have no
idea who owns it. It's not on the tax maps.
SECRETARY: And it's part of an old subdivision.
MR. LARK: Right. It's part of an old subdivision that never
was improved, you know, with any type of standards of paving or
anything. So that's the reason I would want to waive it. This
is an oddball situation.
MR. TUTHILL: By rights, it should be improved by somebody
for emergency vehicles if nothing else.
MR. LARK: It is sufficiently wide for emergency vehicles
today. You have fire vehicles, or an amb~.~lance or something in
and out of there.
MR. TUTHILL: It's sufficiently paved?
MR. LARK: No, it's a dirt road.
MR. TUTHILL: How about in the winter time, and the mud puddles.
Because that has become something we have to look at very carefully.
Fire trucks these days that weigh, I don't know how many ton, I
guess 30.
MR. C~AIRMAN: I could see his point. There have been
other people living there for years already.
MR. LARK: Yeah, if he were the first one, I would have no
objection; or it was being cut, you know, into the woods, but it
is there and I think it would be an unfair burden on him to do
anything with it that way. And as I understand it, to his
property from Mill Road, about 350 feet. That's according to
the tax map. Three -hundred fifty feet.
MR. CHAIRMAN: That would have been my guess
was up there.
when I
MR. TUTHILL: This is his access because it's a street, but
it's not something that would be given by deed, a right-of-way
or a rzght over or anything like that. It just happens to be
there. Isn't that correct? I'll withdraw my motion.
MR. CHAIRMAN: And we'll reserve decision. We close the
hearing. And we'll check this out a little further and let you
know in a few days.
MR. LARK: Fine. You see, he does! have a right-of-way
on the deed because it is over an old filed map, and by virtue
~outhold Town Board of Appeals -15- January 17, 1980
of having that map filed, any lot owners fronting on it do get
access up to the nearest publiclhighway, which in this case will
be, I guess, which lane it is.
MR. DOYEN: That was the question I was about to ask how
legally did he gain his right-of'way. His deed does state,~ that?
~. LARK: Right.
On motion made by Mr. Grigonis, seconded by Mr. Tuthill, it
was
RESOLVED, that the matter of ROBERT WADDINGTON, JR., Appeal
No. 2655, BE RESERVED ITS DECISION until the proper time.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonis, Tuthill and
Doyen. Absent: Messr. Douglass.
RECESSED HEARING: Appeal No. 2579. Application of EMANUEL M.
KONTOKOSTA, 26 Court Street, Brooklyn, New York (by Richard F.
Lark, Esq.) for a Special Exception to the Zoning Ordinance,
Article V, Section t00m50B(3),(4) and C(2) for permission to
erect 28-unit apartment complex with 21 motel units and coffee
shop. Location of property: Shipyard Lane, East Marion; bounded
north by Parkside Heights Co., east by Shipyard Lane, south by
Gardiners Bay, west by Parkside Heights Co.
The Chairman reconvened the hearing at 8:35 P.M.
RICHARD LARK: This was recessed by the Board of Appeal~ just
to reiterate the history, and maybe I can answer some questions
some people might have. Pending some clarification. Number one,
since this property had been split from other property to the
north, the Board wanted to clarify the subdivision status and
that was done by the Planning Board, and I believe they've sent
you a copy of their resolution which approved the minor subdivi-
sion for Mr. Kontokosta for three lots of which this application
pertains only to two. Also, you wanted to get, you had lead
agency status, and that finally squared away with the Department
of Environmental Conservation and it was so deemed that you do
have the lead agency status, and the other one was the Department
of Health approval since the original submission to you, Mr.
Kontokosta had to revise his plans somewhat to conform with the
Department of Health, what they wanted regarding the cesspools.
The public water is not a, the water is not a problem here
because it would be furnished by the Village of Greenport, public
water. There's a line right there. Six-inch main right on
Shipyard Lane. But the sewage had to be revised to conform with
the existing environmental requirements and the Department of
Health requirements. That was done, and the revised plan was
dated 11/28/79 and was submitted to you. Subsequently, I'm told
Southold Town Board of Appeals -16- January 17, 1980
that the Department of Environmental Conservation of New York
State has written the Board a letter that the application now
is favorable, it's in conformance with all the environmental
regulations. They have published it in the environmental,
whatever it is, the newspaper where they publish these things,
and, "Environmental News," and that publication I'm told is up
the early part of February. I think it has to be published for
four weeks, something like that. The Department of Health has
tentatively approved these plans and is waiting for the formal
approval from the Department of Environmental Conservation, and
we're here now before the Board at this recessed hearing, which
the Board scheduled for tonight, to ask approval of the Special
Exception, and as part of that application I'm asking you to
make it, of course, subject to receiving the final Department
of Health approval once the publications take place, and of
course, the final DEC, Department of Environmental Conservation
approval. Also, this Board required an environmental assessment
form to be filed by the applicant, which was done and subsequent
thereto you have issued your Negative Impact Statement regarding
same. I believe the application now in all respects conforms to
the existing zoning ordinance, and has passed the, both the
Department of Health of Suffolk County, and the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation. I'm here to answer any
questions that the Board might have. But in your findings I would
urge the Board to make appropriate findings to show that the
use would not prevent the orderly and reasonable use of the adja-
cent properties, k~ the Board is aware of, the property is zoned
M-1 Multiple R~sidence District immediately to the east is the
Long Island Oyster Farms, which is zoned industrial property,
and there is vacant residential property to the immediate north,
and further to the north on Shipyard Lane is also zoned residential
and does contain some residential homes. I believe that this use
will not prevent the orderly and reasonable use permitted, legally
established us, which is the multiple dwelling, and as provided
for on the amended map of 11/28/79 there is a detailed zoning
analysis, which I understand has been gone over and approved by
the Building Inspector as conforming to the existing standards of
the zoning ordinance as far as the density, the setbacks, the
number of parking spaces, and so on and so forth. And I submit
that this proposed use, since the Master Plan, well not really
the Master Plan, the general Development Plan as promulgated by
the Planning Board and the later zoning revision that this use
does conform to that, and that it would be a property use before
the property. As I indicated a few other facts the Board should
probably know. The Village of Greenport Board, Mr. James Monsell
last May after studying the preliminary plans, because there is
a six-inch water main, had determined that there% adequate water
supply for the property. I'm told by Mr. Kontokosta, who's also
here to answer any questions, that the buildings will be heated
by electric by heat pumps, which provides in the summer the air-
conditioning, for the winter, the heat. So we won't have any
obnoxious odors or anything omitted from the apartment or the
motel use. I think under the standards of the zoning ordinance,
the applicant has complied and, of course, the other thing which
would have to be in any zoning approval, is he also has to obtain
Southold Town Board of Appeals -17- January 17, 1980
Site Plan Approval from the Southold Town Planning Board. So we
have still the final approvals to obtain and any resolution would
have to contain those provisos. But I think from what we've said
at the prior hearings and you have, of course, from the corres-
pondence and the plan, unless there are any questions again, I
submit that it is in conformity with the standards set forth in
the zonlng ordinance for a Special Exception, which I think those
words have created a lot of confusion with the public as to just
what is going Ono And I might just say that a Special Exception
· s nothing more than a permit or a conditional permit which is
issued by the Board of Appeals when the zoning requirements allow
this type of use. The zoning does allow a multiple motel resi-
dential, apartment, multi-dwelling use here, but it is subject
to receiving a permit, if you would. The word "exception" is
poor. It should be "permit," from the Board of Appeals, and that's
what we're here for. We're not here for a variance to the zoning
ordinance. In fact it meets all the requirements and the standards
of our zoning ordinance, the application as it presently constituted.
So if there are questions, I would be glad to answer them from
anybody, because I know there has been some confusion on it in the
past, and I don't think it was adequately explained.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. Lark. Is there anyone, or do
you fellows have any questions? Does anyone here who would like
to pursue it a little further while we have the people here?
Yes, sir, your name please?
GORDON RACKETT: Shipyard Lane, East Marion. That property
floods during almost every winter storm time, and I wonder how
you could get around that unless you put some ki~of an earth
dike down there by the beach? May t speak against the project?
Ok. My techinical objection is these people get approval one by
one for the different things. But there is one thing I think that
we should all consider. When I say "we," I mean the citizens of
Southold Town, and that is that it is ~ossible for an area to
become saturated with hotels, motels and so forth, or any other
kind of industry, and I believe that East Marion has reached that
point already. And I would like to have that put in the minutes,
and would appreciate it if you people would consider it when you
make your decision.
MR. CHAIRMAN: It's in the record. Thank you. Is there
anyone else?
ANGE PANAGOPOULOS: I live in East Marion. On the last plans he
s~id for a cafe, or a coffee shop~ whatever you call. You know,
did they straighten that out, or what?
MR. LARK: No, as an accessory use in the rear of the adminis-
tration building is proposed this small coffee shop. And the
reason for that is that the, when he had his own engineering firm
and some other land planners look at it, they recommended that a
small coffee shop, snack shop, to serve only the people in the
motels and the apartments be provided because of the distance from
~outhold Town Board of Appeals -18- January 17, 1980
any nearby public facility, restaurant and everything else. And
I noted that at one of the, the last objections that people had
living on Shipyard Lane because apparently there has been some
traffic problems with the Oyster Factory there, they complained
that there might possibly be an increase in traffic here. And
curiously enough, although we didn't get a chance to develop that
at that time, that's what the planners had suggested to put this
accessory use down there. It would cut down on people making
unnecessary trips up to the village or what not up on the Main
Road, for snacks, coffee, things like that. It's not contemplated
to be a full-scale restaurant by any means. It's merely to
serve the motel trade there and that's the reason that it was
proposed as an accessory use only, not as a main use. I'm just
trying to answer your question the best I can.
MR. PANAGOUPOULOS: Yes, as I understand from the last meet-
ings, the whole thing was for to take the exemption for that
coffee shop. The whole hallabalu was about a coffee shop. If
you want, you know, the variance or the exemption, whatever you
call it.
MR. LARK: The coffee shop is merely an accessory use to the-
MR. PANAGOUPOULOS: Well after you get the variance for ~he
variance for the coffee shop you can get whatever you want.
Unless this Board has to put stipulations.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Well that would be stipulated, you know, for
the coffee shop for the people who live there. Not open to the
general public.
MR. PANAGOUPOULOS: They say their hardship is unique. Don't
tell me that the thing is unique. Especially when he's going to
be in Canada.
MR. LARK: Just to keep the record straight. We're not asking
for a variance where one has to show hardShip or practical diffi-
culty.
MR. PANAGOUPOULOS: That's the way it was presented at the
beginning. At the first meeting.
MR. LARK: I don't believe so. The record will speak for
itself. We're here for a Special Exception or Special Permit,
and that's a permitted use under the zoning. We're not here for.
any variance request. And if the Board grants the sPecial permit,
it's implied that the Board will have to put reasonable conditions
on it; ~t~don ~>~nk the~e~waS~much q~estion as far as, because
the appliCa~o~as ne~e~i~tended to be as far as this coffee
shop is concerned a public restaurant in the sense that we under-
stand a full scale restaurant.
MR. PANAGOUPOULOS: Has anybody went there to see that
property to see that you have spartina alteniftora is on the beach.
Because any place that has this spartina is supposed to be considered
wetland. Has anybody went thsre to take a look at it?
Southold Town Board of Appeals
-19- January 17, 1980
MR. CHAIRMAN: It's been approved by the DEC, or--
MR. PANAGOUPOULOUS: Do they know spartina is growing there?
MR. CHAIRMAN: That's something that we don't, ~s long as
it's approved by the people responsible for it, we can't do much
about it. They're the experts.
MR. TUTHILL: We have been there to look at it.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We've seen it. I've been there many times.
I used to go down there when I was a kid, and it hasn't changed
much since then. Instead of an airplane there now they want to
put houses up.
MARIE SMITH: East Marion. Will they be allowed to use
loudspeakers to broadcast their music till you go mad in the
summer with the windows open like all boarding houses in East
Marion. We can do nothing about it. You have no rules against
this?
MR. GRIGONIS: That's a little bit out of our jurisdiction,
but--
MS SMITH: That's a problem though. It's quite a problem.
MRo LARK: If I may address myself. You perfectly can put
a restriction in, that we're not allowed to have public loud-
speakers. I know what's she referring to, and I have to agree
with her. That's not the intent at all, and I think it's ~uite
a reasonable restriction that, because toda~,~ight or might not
know, we do have~-the State has imposed on us some noise pollution
laws.
MS. SMITH: Have you ever tried to have it enforced?
MR. LARK: But the Board, as the granting of this permit,
can impose a condition that things like loudspeakers and things
like that not be allowed on there. It's a perfectly reasonable
condition to protect the surrounding residential neighborhood,
and I certainly would have no objection.
MK. CHAIRMAN: Well, that was going to be all the items we
could think to protect the neighborhood would be in, you know,
would be in the--
MS. SMITH: We were told that there are no noise ordinances,
or anti-noise ordinances. And all we need is one more building
with that uh-uh beat that just drives you mad.
MR. CHAIRMAN:
such thing there.
it down here.
We can put it in that there won't be any
Sometime if the wind is right, we might hea~
MS. SMITH: Well, the police department told me that they
Southold Town Board of Appeals u20- January 17, 1980
can't do anything about it.
MR. CHAIRMAN: i think there will be more thought given to it.
MS. SMITH: At one o'cloek in the morning they can't do
anything.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I don't know. I see them drive around sometimes
and thingsquiet down. We have it up in our neighborhood once in a
while.
MS. SMITH: I would just like the Board to be aware of it.
MRS. N. ~ACKETT: East Marion. I'd like to speak about the
coffee shop that they said they would like to have because it's a
necessary item or something they figure is. Right down at the end
of the land, we have three eating establishments. They have one
right at Hellenic Cabins. Right after that they have the Golf
Course, which serves food, and they have Skippers right next to
that. There's three right in a row. We also have another one at
the other end of town. This is a rural community and we would
like to keep it that way, and not have your motel, your motels,
your condominium. East Marion is a beautiful little place, and
if you get more of this added to it, we have a big two-story
motel unit right now in the middle of town that was allowed.
You have numerous cabins, all kinds of tourist attractions there
which we don't need any more of. People have come here to retire
and this is the way they would like to keep it, without having
these extra units added to it. As far as the road is concerned,
I agree with them. I don't think it can stand the traffic. But
I don't think their coffee shop is going to eliminate that much.
These people are going to be there, they're going to be travel-
ing all times of the day, and I would like to speak very much
against having this establishment down at the end of the lane.
Also, the flooding area. Anyone who has lived there have lived
over 25 years. That is flooding down in there. They use it as
a skating pond a good many times they have used that down there.
And I can't see how you can have parking lots or a permanent
establishment down there when that land most of the time is wet
and under water. In the winter time, you have that a great deal.
We have seen them.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Well, the plans they have come up with when
they through with the grading area has been approved by engineers,
that the County Health, and--
MS. SMITH: Maybe they,re not aware then, unless they expect
to put it on stilts or something, because they are going to be in
water.
MR. CHAIRMAN: According to the engineers it's going to be
all right. That's all we can go by. I'm not the expert on it,
but we wouldn't grant it if they said there were going to be
problems there. They claim now that with the revised plans that
Southold Town Board of Appeals -21- January 17, 1980
the cesspools and everything will be perfectly safe. Yes, ma'am?
ANITA MacDONALD: As you can tell from the shrunken sides,
are numbers who came to other meetings compared to this meeting.
The word has passed along Shipyard Lane that ~e cannot win. That
we lost before we even try to put up a fight, because it has an
adverse affect on the value of our one-family homes along there.
East Marion is apparently to bear the whole grunt of expanding
tourism industry. This I am giving to you from the people that
I spoke to the last few days. It's almost as though, well, the
legal end of it and all, we cannot fight. We just don'~ have
the money or anything of that kind. It's a horrid feeling.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I sort of know what you mean, I think. But--
MRS. MacDONALD: And may I ask one more thing? I understand
the environmental, they believe they have approved it and the
Health Department is almost approved? Is that what the gentleman
was saying-- it had to be published first?
MR. CHAIRMAN: There was a letter in here, I just saw it a
few moments ago from the Health Department.
MR. LARK: The Health Department has approved the plans as
presented to them as revised as I indicated. They have not
formally stamped the plans because of the legal requirement, they
have to wait for the publication to be completed by the Department
of Environmental Conservation, which I'm told will be up in early
February. They have to publish it, I don't know, four to six weeks.
It's been in the process of being published.
MRS. MacDONALD: In that case could this Board approve it
before the --
MR. LARK: Subject to the final, because we have to--
MRS. MacDONALD: You mean, for another meeting?
MR. LARK: Oh sure, because it still has to go before the
Planning Board to get site plan approval. You see, before the
Building Permit could ever be issued it has to get Site Plan
Approval and the Board of Health actually has to stamp the
final plans, the actual construction plans. So it's still away
from actual work being done.
MRS. MacDONALD: But in other words, it could be approved
by this Board without any of us knowing about it?
~MR. LARK: Whatever they do is public information. They
have to do it at a public meeting now.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I could read you what we have from the Health
Department. (Mr. Grigonis read the December 3, 1979 letter from
the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to the Appeals Board.)
Soutkold Town Board of Appeals -22- January 17, 1980
MR. CHAIRMAN: So, until we get it in writing and stuff, the
approval if it so comes, it would be subject to such approvals.
Is there anyone else?
MR. SMITH: Are these 28 motel units and 28 apartments to
be lived in or to be occupied yearround, or just the summer?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Can you answer that, Dick?
MR. LARK: Yearround as I understand ito
MR. SMITH: The motel will be operated yearround~ too?
MR. LARK: Yeah, but you know what it's like out here January,
February and March. Probably the weekends. As a practical matter.
The apartments will be yearround, yes. As I understand it, the
proposed plans call for one-bedroom units in the apartments. As
I understand it at the present stage, the actual finalized plans
for each individual unit has never been finalized yet, but as I
understand it that's what the area would warrant as far as the
square footage is concerned to meet the building code requirements,
you know, for the kitchen, living area, and bedroom, bathroom area.
MR. TUTHILL: I would just like to enlighten you a ~i~le bit on
what Mr. Lark sought to explain-the Special Exception thing.
Actually, in the code it spells out that a Special Exception or
a Special Permit, it uses the word interchangeably, what it really
does is sets down I think it's 13 or 14 different matters to be
considered by the Board. For example, whether it's unreasonably
near to a church; there are 13 different items. In other words
we have to look at it with more scrutiny than an ordinary permitted
use. We have to pay more attention to the loudspeakers, for example.
MR. SMITH: Is that why it's taken out of the hands of the
Building Inspector and put before your Board?
MR~ TUTHILD: That-'s right. Because we have to go into all
these conditions and whe.%her it meets them. It has to meet the
criteria outlined ih the code. Basically, we can't just deny it
because perhaps you feel that East Marion is getting too congested
or whatever. We spent a lot of money on that Master Plan and it
specifically zoned for this type of thing, and so if they meet
all of the conditions, iD~luding some of the ones over which we
have no control, like the DEC and the Department of Health, we
can't really arbitrarily deny the issuance of a permit. As a
matter of fact I think you can very well be in for a law suit.
I hope I've been helpful. I just, it's not a thing that you take
lightly when you have a Special Exception, you really have to get
into f% and see what it involves. And it's pretty well outlined
what you have to get into.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Just to go a little bit further on this, as
with what Mr. Smith asked, whoever takes it out of the Building
Department takes the CoUnty, and the State gets involved with it, too.
It's ~%L-just a jump and go thing. No one has anything else?
~outhold Town Board of Appeals -23- January 17, 1980
TERRY TUTHILL: Nor is it a question of 19 people against
it and one's for it. It's the reasoning that goes into it and
whether or not they can measure up under the provisions of the
Code.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Well, if I may I'd like to put forward a
resolution granting this with the following stipulations: (1)
Approval from the Suffolk County Board of Health Services; (2)
Approval from the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation. Some of these we may have already, Dick. (3)
Approval from the Southold Town Planning Board for Site Plan;
(4) Approval from the Suffolk County Planning Commission pursuant
to Section 1331 of the Suffolk County Charter; (5) Approval of
the sewage disposal systems from the Suffolk County Department of
Health; (6) No further subdivision except by application and
approval from the Southold Town Planning Board and Board of
Appeals, and appropriate other agencies where required; (7)
No residential structure shall be located within 100 feet of
the mean highwater line; (8) No sanitary disposal facility
shall be constructed or installed within 100 feet of mean high-
water line; (9) A conservation buffer or easement having a
m~nimum wzdth of 50 feet shall be established along the shore-
line. That's what somebody was asking about a little while ago.
(10) No stormwater runoff resulting from the development and
improvement of the pending subdivision and any of the lots
shall be discharged directly into Gardiners Bay; (11) and
no loudspeakers or other nozse-making apparatus to disturb
the neighborhood, and (12) and the coffee shop shall be for
patrons and not the general public.
After investigation and inspection, the Board finds that
the applicant requests permission to erect a 28-unit apartment
complex with 21 motel units and an accessory coffee shop at
premises located in an "M-1 Multiple Residence District." The
present zoning ordinance would allow for boarding or tourist
houses, or multiple residences for not more than four families;
however, for the use requested herein, a Special Exception is
required by this Board. Applicant's Site Development Plan as
revised 11/28/79 appears to be in conformance with all the rules
and regulations of the zoning ordinance and this Board has been
informed that the N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation
and Suffolk County Department of Health Services permit applica-
tions appear to be approvable as revised 11/28/79.
This Board finds that the circumstances present in this case
are unique, and that strict application of the ordinance would
produce practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship. The
Board believes that the grant of a Special Exception in this
case will not change the character of the neighbhorhood and will
observe the spirit of the ordinance.
On motion made by Mr. Grigonis, seconded by Mr. Doyen, it was
RESOLVED, that EMANUEL M. KONTOKOSTA, 26 Court Street, Brooklyn
Southold Town Board of Appeals -24- January 17, 1980
New York 11201, (Richard F. Lark, Esq.) BE GRANTED a Special Excep-
tion to the Zoning Ordinance for permission to erect a 28-unit
apartment complex with 21 motel units and accessory coffee shop as
peri.the revised Site Development Plan dated 11/28/79, and SUBJECT
TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. Approval from the Suffolk County Department of Health
Services.
2. Approval from the New York State Department of Environ-
mental Conservation.
3. Approval from the Southold Town Planning Board for Site
Plan.
4. Approval from the Suffolk County Planning Commission pur-
suant to Section 1331 of the Suffolk County. Charter.
5. Approval from the Suffolk County Health Department for
the sewage disposal systems.
6. No further subdivision except by application and approval
from the Southold Town Planning Board and Board of Appeals, and
appropriate other agencies when required.
7. No residential structure shall be located within 100 feet
of the mean highwater line.
8. No sanitary disposal facility shall be constructed or
installed within 100 feet of mean highwater line.
9. A conservation buffer or easement having a minimum width
of 50 feet shall be established along the shoreline.
10. No storm-water runoff resulting from the development and
improvement of the pending subdivision and of any of the lots
shall be discharged directly into Gardiners Bay.
11. No loudspeakers or other noise-making devices may be
permitted which would disturb the neighborhood.
12. The coffee shop is permitted for use exclusively for the
motel-apartment complex occupants and shall not be permitted for
use by the general public.
Location of property: Westerly side of Shipyard Lane, ~ast
Marion; bounded north and west by Parkside Heights Co., east by
Shipyard Lane, south by Gardiners Bay. County Tax Map Item No.
1000-38-007-part of Lot 4.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Gmigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
Southold Town Board of Appeals -25- January 17, 1980
After the formal hearing was-closed an~ the resolution was
duly adopted, Ms. Smith inquired if it wou~d~-~ POssibte to add
another condition to the resolution approving Mr. Kontokosta
a Special Exception that a liquor license would not be allowed
for that coffee shop. The Chairman asked Mr. Lark, applicant's
attorney what his feelings or co~ents were. Mr. Lark said that
was never even thought of ~iquor license, and that the
reason for the accessory coffee shop was for the patrons for
their own benefit, those that had checked into the motels or
apartments in order to utilize the coffee shop Mr. Lark said
there are many types of liquor licenses, and he didn't know
what migh~ be anticipated in the future, that they never even
considered it. Mr. Lark said that a restriction has been made
for the coffee shop to be utilized by patrons only and felt
that this would restrict a type of "liquor business" as was
thought by Ms. Smith.
RESERVED DECISION: Appeal No. 2609.
Regarding Appeal No. 2609, application of Robin A. Raeburn
and Mary Elizabeth Murphy for approval of access pursuant to
New York Town Law 280A, the Board asked George C. Stankevich,
Esq., attorney for the applicants, whether an agreement had been
entered into with Baxter Properties, Inc. as suggested by the
Board at its last meeting. Mr. Stankevich said they had written
letters to Mr. Baxter and they were left unanswered and may never
be answered. Mr. Stankevich suggested that this appeal be
approved, and if Baxter would offer the right-of-way they would
accept it. But if Baxter would not offer it, then the existing
access could be approved with the encroachmen~s~ The Board
felt that they needed more~time to consider this appeal, the
45-day time limit would not be up until Sunday, January 20th
and would call a Special Meeting if necessary. Richard F. Lark,
Esq. on behalf of the Bokina Family asked whether the right-of-way
would be improved with stone blend or black top. Mr. Stankevich
said they would improve it witk stone. Mr. Bokina asked about
the electric wires that were installed under the right-of-way.
Mr. Stankevich said they would remedy that and would accept it
as a condition if it has to be relocated.
RESERVED DECISION: Appeal No. 2587. Application of STEPHEN
J. PERRICONE and PENELOPE KOUSOUROS for a Variance for permission
to establish disco bar with dancing ~n a B-zoned district. The
Chairman read the proposed resolution to the applicant witk the
13 conditions. Applicant did not agree with Conditions 4, 6,
and 12. The Board said they would further discuss these condi-
tions among themselves and possibly make a determination at a
Special Meeting before the February Meeting of this Board.
~ Southold Town Board of Appeals
-26-
January 17, 1980
RESERVED DECISION: Appeal No. 2658. Application of Robert F.
Larson, 72A Nassau Point Road, Cutchogue, New York (John M. Czygier,
Jr., Esq.) for Variances to the Zoning Ordinance: [al Article III,
Section 100-30(2) (c) for permission to keep pony.~& horse for person-
al use with less than 40,000 square feet devoted to such use on the
subject premises, and [bi Article III, Section 100-32 for permission
to construct accessory stable in frontyard area.
After investigation and inspection, the Board finds that the
applicant requests permission: (a) to keep a horse & pony for
personal use at his residential premises devoting approximately
14,0002 square feet to that use, (b) to construct an accessory
structure (to wit, stable) in the fron~yard area, in which to house
the pony and horse.
The Board finds no hardship present in this case and therefore
there appears to be no justification for the granting of this appeal.
The Board believes that by the granting of such a variance the
character of the neighborhood would change and would not observe
the spirit of the ordinance.
On motion made by Mr. Grigonis, seconded by Mr. Doyen, it was
RESOLVED, that ROBERT F. LARSON, 72A Nassau Point Road, Cutchogue,
New York 11935, by John M. Czygier, Jr., Esq. BE DENIED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE permission to keep horse and pony for personal use with
less than 40,000 square feet devoted to that use and BE DENIED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE permission to construct stable in the frontyard
~ea.
Location of property: Nassau Point Road and Bridge Lane, Cut-
chogue, Nassau Point Map No. 156A, Lots 130 and 129; bounded north
by Hillmer, west by Bridge Lane, south by Nassau Point Road, west
by Roche. County Tax Map Item No. 1000-111-15-1.1 and part of 2.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messr. Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
On motion made by Mr. Tuthill, seconded by Mr. Grigonis it
was
RESOLVED, that the next meeting of the Southold Town Board of
Appeals be set for Thursday, February 7, 1980 at 7:30 o'clock P.M.
and that the following applications be advertised for a public
hearing at the below specified times for the next meeting:
7:30 P.M. PHILIP LORtA, Appeal No. 2660.
7:35 P.M. CHARLES & ROSE VAN DUZER, Appeal No. 2662.
~°uth°ld Town Board of Appeals -27- January 17, 1980
7:45 P.M.
DAWN ESTATES SHOPPING CENTER, Appeal No. 2661.
8:00 P.M.
RAYMOND CIACIA, Appeal No. 2574 - Recessed
Hearing.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
On motion made by Mr. Tuthill, seconded by Mr. Doyen, it was
RESOLVED, that regarding the application of Philip Loria in
Appeal No. 2660, for permission to erect an off-premises-directional
sign, Article VII, Section 100-70, this Board has, after review of
the Environmental Assessment Short Form and relative documents sub-
mitted wit'h this application, determined that this project if imple-
men=ed as planned is classified as a Type II Action not having a
significant effect on the environment, pursuant to Section 617.13
of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and Section
44-4B of the Southold Town Code.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
On motion made by Mr. Tuthill, seconded by Mr. Doyen, it was
RESOLVED, that regarding the application of Charles R. and Rose
Van Duzer, Appeal No. 2662 for permission to construct accessory
structure (tower) exceeding height limitations, Article III, Sec-
tion 100-32, this Board has after review of the Environmental As-
sessment Short Form and relative documents submitted with this
application determined that this pro]ect if implemented as planned
is classified as a Type II Action not having a significant effect
on the environment, pursuant to Section 617.13 of the New York State
Environmental Quality Review Act and Section 44-4B of the Southold
Town Code,
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
On motion made by Mr. Tuthill, seconded by Mr. Doyen, it was
RESOLVED, that regarding ths~ application of Dawn Estates Shop-
ping Center, 14 Dawn Drive, Centereach, New York, Appeal No. 2661
for aPp~atl ~0f insufficient ar~a and width of parcel to be estab-
lished wi~hi~'~ subdivision, Article III, Section 100-31,!~his Board
has after review of the Environmental Assessment short F°rm and
relative doCuments submitted with this application determined that
this project if implemented as planned is claSsified as a Type II
'~Southold Town Board of Appeals -28- January 17, 1980
Action not having a significant effect on the environment pursuant
to Section 617.13 of the New York State Environmental Quality
Review Act and Section 44-4B of the Southold Town Code.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
On motion made by Mr. Tuthilt, seconded by Mr. Doyen, it was
RESOLVED, to approve the minutes of the December 27, 1979
meeting of this Board.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonis, Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
On motion made by Mr. Grigonis, seconded by Mr. Tuthill, it was
RESOLVED, that this meeting be declared closed at 11:10 P.M.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Grigonisf Tuthill and Doyen.
Absent: Messr. Douglass.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. L.F. Kowalski, Secretary
Southold Town Board of Appeals