HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA-09/10/1992 HEARINGPUBLIC HEARING
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
September 10, 1992
(7:30 p.mo Hearing)
Present :
HON. GERARD P. GOEHRINGER,
Chairman
SERGE DOYEN, Jr.
JAMES DINIZIO, Jr.
ROBERT A. VILLA
LINDA KOWALSKI,
Secretary-Clerk to Board
£
APPLICATION NO.4122 - ROBERT H. AND KAT~RYN B. DEXTER
Variance to the Zoning Ordinance, Article XXIX, Section
100-239.4B, for permission to coinstruct deck addition within
75 feet of the bulkhead. Location of Property: 8380 Great
Peconic Bay Boulevard, Laurel, NY; County Tax Map Parcel No.
1000-126-11-20. Subject premises is substandard in size and is
located in the R-40 Zone District.
7:35 p.m. (The Chairman opened the hearing and read the Legal
Notice and application for the record.)
THE CHAIRMAN: I have a copy of a sketch of a survey
indicating proposed deck is sixteen by forty-- actually, it is
16.0 feet and zero inches and by 40.3 inches. The closest point
to the bulkhead is 35.2 feet or 35 feet two inches; and I
have a copy of the Suffolk County tax map indicating this and
surrounding properties in the area. Is there somebody here
representing the Dexterds?
Appearance: Mr. Robert Dexter,
Applicant pro Se
THE CHAIRMAN: Is there anything you would like to add
to the specific application, sir?
MR. DEXTER: Well, I think I covered most of the
points. Actually, we are thirty-five feet from the upper deck,
but there's another twelve feet to the lower deck. The deck will
be set back from the water; it is about 11 feet or 12 feet above
wauer line. There are some bushes there along the top of the
bulkhead, so it is not going to be readily visible from the
9/10/92 3
water. You have to be 'way out in the water in a boat to see
it; and there are, on the one side on the west of us there is a
pool in the front yard and a fence that goes down to the upper
bulkhead, so I don't think we are providing any kind of
obstruction for the people on either side of us, and it would
certainly add to the use and the value of the property if we can
have permission to put this deck as indicated on the south side
of the house.
THE CHAIRMAN: Now it is my understanding that the
front porch was a screened-in front porch at one time and you
are adding this'on to the front of the house?
MiR. DEXTER: That is correct.
THE CHAIRMAN: However, the only difference will be
that the deck will not be fenced --excuse me-- moved in any
way?
MR. DEXTER: No, the deck will not be moved.
THE CHAIRMAN: It will remain open. How high will the
deck be actually above grade?
MR. DEXTER: At the house it is about a foot. At the
other end it is about two feet.
THE CHAIRMAN: And you are in the reconstruction mode
right now with this. This is what you are going to be dealing
with?
MR. DEXTER: Getting ready once we are past this
hearing, then we'll be ready to apply for our building permit.
THE CHAIRMAN: Are you contract-vendee or do you own
the property?
9/t0/92
4
MR. DEXTER: We own the property.
THE CHAIRMAN: Did you own it at the time of the fire?
~CR. DEXTER: No, we didn't. We bought it after the
fire. We did go the the DEC and got their sign-off, before we
purchased the property.
THE CHAIRMAN: I see. Thank you very much. Does
anybody have any questions of Mr. Dexter? We will see what
develops. Is there anybody else who would like to speak in
favor of this application? Anybody like to speak against the
application? Hearing no further questions, I make a motion to
close the hearing and reserving decision until later.
7:40 p m.
APPLICATION NO. 4124 - DR. AND MRS. CARL A. SORANNO
Variances to the Zoning Ordinance, Article XXIII, Section
100-239.4A(1) for approval of deck addition within 100 feet of
the top of the L.Io Sound bluff or bank, and Article III,
Section 100-33 for approval of accessory storage building
located in the front yard area, 400+ feet from the front
property line. Location of Property: 31059 County Road 48,
Peconic NY; County Tax Map Parcel No. 1000-73-4-3.
THE CHAIRMAN: I have a copy of a survey,-Young &
Young, dated August 15, 1985, indicating the approximate
placement of the dwelling on this property and the movement
of the "storage building" from the extreme rear yard to mid
front yard or so, and a copy of the Suffolk County tax map
indicating this and the other surrounding properties in the
area. Is there someone here representing the Sorannos?
Appearance: Mrs. Dorothy Soranno and
Dr. Carl A. Soranno,
Applicants Pro Se
THE CHAIRMAN: I have to say for the record, I have
never been to a more beautiful piece o~ property. It is
absolutely gorgeous. Is there anything you would like to add to
the record for us?
MRS. SORANNO: I think the record is quite
complete. I don't really know what else you would want to know,
other than why we built it. We sent and application to the
officers of
Southold for a building permit for the deck. When we did that,
9/10/92 6
we were told we had to go to the DEC'for a letter of
non-jurisdiction, so when we went there, they told us that they
would give us a letter of non-jurisdiction if we had a
topographical map. We came back to get a copy of the
topographical map, and then were told by the DEC that we needed
a new or updated topographical map; and to get that
topographical map we were also told it would cost us several
thousand dollars. Well, that was a problem; so we decided to
withdraw the application and not do anything. But we ran into
difficulty because we have three aged parents, two in
wheelchairs and one on the walker; and before that deck was
built, you had to basically if you are in good shape, you had to
run down the hill and then go up the steps, which was getting to
be impossible. So we really were under pressure to make an
entry, to get in and out of the house and around it for the rest
of us.
THE CHAIRMAN:
MRS. SORANNO:
What about the storage building.?
Now the storage building, originally,
before we moved onto the property, was on the neighbor's
property. I guess over the years they just put it where they
wanted. So before we bought the property, it was moved from the
woods to that position you see there. After a while our
neighbors suggested that maybe we should move it because it
would be in their way, their view when they built their new
house and they had shown us the staking out of where they were
going to build the house and the plans for it. So we asked if
they knew of anyone who could help us move it? And they didn't
9/10y92
7
SO we then showed them --we thought about it-- and we showed
them where we thought we could move it and still be within our
setback boundaries. And she said that's a pretty good idea,
that's good, so we did go out, pay for a mover to bring it up on
the hill; and it stood there. Lo and behold, after a couple
years, they ended up building their house behind it and we
wanted for a little bit of extra space because it is a tiny
house that we have and we thought if we have that building
usableto use as a bedroom for us when others would come in the
family, that would expand the house. So we embarked upon
refurbishing it, never dreaming that the front yard was behind
the house; and we took upon refurbishing it when we were told we
wouid have to do more to
(inaudible due to coughs
where we are.
THE CHAIRMAN:
it because it was heavily damaged by
into microphone). And that's about
Okay. That answers my question why
there was so much glass in it because usually there isn't so
much glass in an accessory structure. I just wanted to mention
to you that we are not empowered to allow you to use that for
sleeping quarters, okay. The only thing that we could allow you
to do is have that and have it exist in the front yard area, and
it seems ridiculous to call it the front yard area because it is
probably a thousand feet from the nearest road but needless to
say, it is in the front yard area for only storage purposes.
That is the covenant that would have to be on it, and that's all
that we can do; we do not grant sleeping quarters in accessory
9/10/92 8
buildings. We have never done it and are not going to start
now. That's all I can tell you, Mrs. Soranno.
MRS. 'SORANNO: Is there another means, another
approach to say non-accessory building? A guest-house?
THE CHAIRMAN: If you subdivided your property and you
had a separate lot and you wanted to build a cottage, so to
speak, and continued to move this --t know there is a vast hill
in back of this because I climbed the hill to come up to the
property-- Then you could build a 850-square-foot cottage on
another piece of property if the Planning Board so indicated and
you had the acreage to do so; that would be the only avenue that
you would have.
MRS. SORANNO: I see.
THE CHAIRMAN: You could, of course, add on to the
house. From the rear, hopefully. When I say the rear, I mean
the front yard area really where the deck is that you just added
on. That's all, the only avenue you have. We have no vehicle
to allow you to utilize that building. Is there any question
you have, Doctor, concerning this?
DR. SORANNO: I guess the ordinances speak for
themselves. We do have a situation where we are so close to the
bluff --beoause of the location of the house, we thought the way
it was going to be used if we had this building available just
in the situation where our families come out (inaudible with
coughs into microphone). It is just a summer residence anyway°
We are not renting it.
9/iQ/92 9
THE CHAIRMAN: The maximum we have ever granted in
this Board is some limited heating for somebody who wanted to
use it for storage of books and they didn't want the books to
deteriorate, we have allowed one, a single lavatory with no
shower, for somebody who wanted to utilize it for the purpose of
a workshop on their automobiles or whatever the case might be
and the building was somewhat detached from the house so that
they didn't continually have to run up to the house and wash
their hands and use the lavatory facilities, or a beach cabana
t!rpe of situation where the doors on the cabana actually open to
the outside in all situations, so there were no interior doors
opening to the interior of the building itself. And that is
pretty much the max that we have ever seen here.
DR. SORANNO: That is about as much as we can say
because being we have the main house with just the two of us;
but we do have those situations where my son with his kids would
come over, and then my daughter, who is getting married, comes
in with her boyfriend. Then somebody else comes in and next
thing you know we are out on the lawn.
THE CHAIRMAN: I want you to know the decision from
this Board is going to read, is going to be restrictive in that
area, in that way. Are you planning on any utilities in the
building? Other than electricity? MRS. SORANNO: No.
DR. SORANNO:
MRS. SORANNO:
THE CHAIRMAN:
You mean like sink?
We would like a sink.
We can continue utilities.
We all
misconstrue what those are, and my interpretation of utility is
somewhat different from other people's, okay. Anything that
causes to start a light or, you know, any type of water utility~
any type of heat utility, and so on and so forth.
DR. SORANNO: Just from the main house though.
THE CHAIRMAN: It wouldn't make any difference where
You are only talking about electricity at this
it came from.
time?
MRS. SORANNO:
THE CHAIRMAN:
MRS. SORANNO:
DR. SORANNO:
THE CHAItLMAN:
Electricity. --and water.
Water for the purposes of a
Yes.
A lavatory?
We'll talk about that.
sink?
Any questions?
MR. VILLA: I have a question. I heard Mrs. Soranno
talk about her application to DEC. What I would like to know
is, why did you proceed to build this deck and this without
permits?
MRS. SORANNO: Well, sir, I guess we shouldn't have;
but we did because we were in a problem and one of the old folks
had just gotten into a wheelchair. He came out spent time and
it was really very hard. There were times we were lifting it
over the deck, and you couldn't do it. So we went ahead.
MR. VILLA: I get upset sitting here and having to
rule on applications that are accomplished already, you know.
When you have a permit
MRS. SORANNO:
quite a problem.
system, it is a little upsetting.
That problem with the new map was
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you. Any other questions from
Board members? Anybody else who would like to speak in favor
of the application? Anybody like to speak against the
application? Hearing no further comments, I make a motion
closing the hearing, reserving decision until later.
DR. SORANNO: Because of the devastation that
occurred on that hill, we have started already planting that
hill and we have a very nice relationship with our new neighbors
next to us who have bought that house to the west, and we are
planning on refurbishing those trees and building a (word
inaudible) there. They are a very nice couple and we do have
cooperation with them in redoing that hill.
THE CHAIRMAN: Right.
DR. SORANNO: So that is in our plans.
THE CHAIRMAN:. We do thank you for coming in, and we
thank you for your frankness concerning this application, and we
will do the best we can. Thank you.
9/10/92 12
7:52 p.m.
APPLICATION NO. 4125 GREGORY POULOS. Variance to the Zoning
Ordinance, Article XXIII, Section 100-239.4A(1) for permission
to construct deck addition (to existing deck area), all of which
is located within 100 feet of the Long Island Sound bluff or
bank. This parcel is substandard in size and is located in the
R-40 Zone District. Location of Property: 135 Soundview
Road, Orient, NY; also known as Lot ~45 on the Map of "Orient by
the Sea, Section Two"; County Tax Map Parcel No. 1000-15-3-3.
(The Chairman opened the hearing and read the Legal
Notice and application for the record. ) THE CHAIRMAN: I have
copy of a survey dated April 11, 1980, indicating two-story
frame home in a rather irregular shape toward the water. In
fact, it is one, two, three, four, five, six-sided, and a copy
of Suffolk County tax map indicating this and surrounding
properties in the area. Is there somebody for the Poulos' who
would like to speak?
Appearance:
MR. DIBBLE:
How do you do, sir?
Blair Dibble, Builder,
Agent for Applicant
My name is Blair Dibble.
THE CHAIRMAN: What would you like to add to the
application?
MR. DIBBLE: I have some pictures here (showing
Board).
this?
THE CHAIRMAN: What would you like to point out on
~/10/92 13
MR. DIBBLE: If you look at the pictures, you will
see on the one Side there is a sliding glass door. And on the
outside the fireplace you have what is a barbecue. Those
probably were originally, i believe, when the house was built
were for a deck which was never constructed. You will see there
is a door on the other side as well that could use a deck.
THE CHAIRMAN: This deck is basically going to wrap
around all six sides is the situation?
MR. DIBBLE: Except for the Bilco door, five sides.
THE CHAIRMAN: Five, right. And it is going to be
approximately 14 feet in depth?
MR. DIBBLE: Twelve feet depth, and by the time we
finish with the steps, which will be (inaudible) wide or so.
THE CHAIRMAN: So only an the two angles that actually
face the water --I know.they really all face the water--
straight or perpendicular?
MR. DIBBLE: Those sides will be 14 feet. That is
where the steps will be.
THE CHAIRMAN: Now the elevation above grade is
approximately just underneath that window, so that is going to
be about two and a half feet or so?
MR. DIBBLE: We are actually going to make it a step
down, so you will have probably 18 inches elevation.
THE CHAIRF~kN: And again this will not be roofed in
any way?
MR. DIBBLE: No.
9/10/92 14
THE CHAIRMAN: It is just going to have a normal
railing which is required on a portion?
MR. DIBBLE: Yes.
THE CHAIRMAN: While you are up here, Mr. Dibble,
does anyone have any questions on this? Bob? I guess not.
Thank you. We can keep these pictures?
MR. DIBBLE: Yes.
THE CHAIRMAN: Is there anybody else who wishes to
speak in favor of this application? Anybody like to' speak
against the application? Seeing no hands, I make a motion
closing. We hope to have a decision for you very shortly
because I am sure you want to continue with the construction of
the deck, too. All right, thank you. Give us a call tomorrow
to see if we get through it tonight.
7:55 p.m.
APPLICATIO~ NO.
Variance to the
4126 ~ DONALD AND JEANlqE KURZ.
Zoning Ordinance, Article III, Section 100-33
for permission to build new, enlarged garage as an accessory in
the front yard area (replacing existing garage which was
approved under ZBA Appl.No. 2332 on 8/29/77)° Location of
Property: 725 Terry Lane (just north of the Southold Park
District), Southold, NY; also referred to as Lot ~5 as approved
by the Town of Southold; County Tax Map Parcel No. 1000-65-1-17.
(The Chairman opened the hearing and read the Legal
Notice and application for the record.)
THE CHAIRMAN: I have copy of plan for the deck and
new garage, rather. I am stuck on decks tonight. I apologize.
9/10/92
I am
looking for the
Appearance:
survey. Would you like to be heard, sir?
Dan Ross, Esq.,
Attorney for Applicant
Ron Morizzo, Builder
MR. ROSS: Dan Ross, on behalf of the application. I have some
pictures here I would like to hand up% This is an application
for an accessory structure in the front yard. The property is
located on Terry Lane. It borders on Southold Bay. Front yard
is on the road; backyard is on the bay. There is no accessory
structure between the existing residence and the bay at this
time. There is an existing structure where is proposed
structure is going to be. There is an existing 10 by 12 foot
structure; the proposed structure is 24 by 36 feet. The
proposed structure will be no closer to the side line or on
Terry Lane than the existing structure. There is hardship and
difficulty in putting the accessory structure in the backyard
because the property is banked somewhat severely. That would
create a problem. There are other houses in the neighborhood as
you can see from the pictures, with garages in the front yard
and they have a large hedge on this particular property that
would block it.
THE CHAIRMAN: The doors are going to open to the west
side, I see.
MR. ROSS: Yes, I believe so.
THE CHAIRMAN: Approximate height is to the max of
about 18, is that right, Bob? They take the average in
determining that, so that is my question.
9/ 0/92
~. ROSS: The builder, Ron Morizzo, is here and may
be able to help us with that.
MR. MORIZZO: Eighteen to 20 feet.
MEMBER VILLA: How do you figure that? You got a 12
on 12 pitch on the roof and you got 24-foot width, and you got a
foot overhang on both sides. That is~26, so if you come in 13,
you go up 13. I don't see how you get maximum of what you are
saying. Your pitch on your roof is a forty-five; it is 12 and
12; so if you come in 13 feet, you are going up 13 fret. 13 and
8 is 21, plus the header is 22.
THE CHAIRMAN: So you are saying 22 feet to the ridge
is what you want to build?
MR. MORIZZO: Right.
THE CHAIRMAN: What else would you like to say?
MR. ROSS: From an environmental standpoint, I think
the accessory structure is better located in the proposed
location thanthe backyard.
THE CHAIRMAN: In reference to utility, and, again, we
are talking only electricity?
MR. ROSS: That is what I understand.
THE CHAIRMAN: Only electricity, Ron?
MR. MORIZZO: Well, yeah, there.was going to be
lights.
storage purposes?
MR. ROSS:
MR. ROSS: That is it.
THE CHAIRMAN: And the upstairs is only used for
As well as the downstairs premises?
Right.
9 0/92
THE CHAIRMAN: In philosophy, I don't have a problem
with these particular applications. We recently granted one on
Deep Hole Drive in Mattituck in a similar type location.
Unfortunately, the lot was a little bit smaller, and I went back
on Saturday, when I was looking'at this parcel, and it was
tastefully done and I hope that the hedges would be left there
also on this one to allow for the privacy factor, and so on and
so forth.
MR. ROSS: That is, as I understand, the intention.
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. Ross. Is there anybody
else who would like to speak in favor of this application?
Anybody like to speak against the application? Any further
questions, Gentlemen?
MR. VILLA: W'nat is the second floor going to be used
for?
THE CHAIRMAN: They said storage purposes. No
problem. Hearing no further comment, I make a motion closing
the hearing and reserving decision until later.
8:03 p.m.
APPLICATION NO. 4121 - FLOYD KING and ISLAND'S END GOLF CLUB.
Variance to the Zoning Ordinance, Article III, Section
100-33 for permission to locate accessory equipment-storage
building in the front yard area. Location of Property: 3365
Main Road, Greenport, NY; County Tax Map Parcel No.
1000-35-2-1. This property is zoned R-80 Residential.
(The Chairman opened the hearing and read the legal
Notice and application for the record.)
THE CHAIRMAN:
to speak regarding this?
ERNEST RICHTER
Who would like to be the first person
(no address supplied record): I would
like to speak for the golf course and the Board of Directors. I
have had a request from your office to give the location in the
heart of the big barn why it would not be feasible. Proposed
location of the new work-barn and storage facility. The
maintenance for the golf course is currently operating out of an
existing barn located in the southwest section of the golf
course property. The proposed structure is needed to store
additional machinery that has been accumulated over the years.
This equipment currently is being outside in an unsightly
manner. The proposed location of the new building would allow
existing work area to remain the same. The area has always been
south of the existing barn and away from the playing area of the
golf course, pertaining to the proposed location of the new
building north of the existing barn, it would create a hazard to
the playing area of the golf course. The area between the two
buildings would leave to remain for future maintenance. Once
9/10/92 19
the building is set, it will be necessary to relocate the
e~t~ng road very close to the first green. This road is
necessary to remain to allow players from the eighth green to
reach the ninth tee without passing through the work area. This
proposed location would also open the work area; machinery would
be constantly moving in and out. This additional work space
would be very close to the eighth green and would be considered
unsightly as well as noisy. The beautification of our golf
course is a major concern and never-ending goal. Wewould
appreciate any consideration you could give us in this matter.
I have a ~opy of this I would like to submit.
THE CHAIRMAN: Sure. Thank you very much. What is
the approximate height of this new building?
MR. RICHTER: Fifteen feet.
THE CHAIRMAN:, Okay.
Is there anytime you think the existing barn --which was
probably the original barn when this was a farm at one time--
isn't that correct? It certainly looks like it with those old
not asbestos, they are asphalt, I guess, shingles on the side.
MR. RICHTER:
THE CHAIRMAN:
existing barn would be
Asphalt shingles on there, yes.
Is there any time you think the
leveled and you would continue with
another facility over even more? Monetarily I am sure it is a
big endeavor, but I mean--
MR. RICHTER: It is, but I don't know --that just
hasn't been discussed as yet, and we don't have that much space
in there for all the machinery that we have. And a golf course
9/10/92
20
really needs a lot of machinery. There is more and more coming
in every day, I think.
THE CHAIRMAN: I have been out, I have looked at it; I
understand to a certain degree --I am not a golfer, but I
understand your problem, and I will ask any of my fellow Board
members if they have specific questions concerning this while
you are standing there.
MEMBER DINIZIO: Mr. Richter, what is the distance
between the fence and the new barn?
The distance between that property line and the new barn?
MR. RICHTER: Ten feet.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Doyen, do you have any questions of
Mr. Richter?
MR. DOYEN: Not really.
THE CHAIRMAN:. This is a metal or steel building?
MR. RICHTER: Right, a Morton building.
THE CHAIRMAN: Not that it makes any difference to
this Boards but the specific color of the building: Is there
any colors planned.
MR. RICHTER: It was chosen as red.
THE CHAIRMAN: It was going to be chosen as red,
okay.
MEMBER DINIZIO: Just one question. Is this
building going to house all the equipment you have at the
present time because you have it all lined up along the fence
there? Is that all going to be taken care of?
9/10/92 21
MR. RICHTER: Yes~ Plus some can be put in the old
building, but certainly not enough.
MEMBER DINIZIO: You mean you have it all lined up
out there and it is all going to be taken away?
MR. RICHTER: Yes.
THE CHAIRMAN: We thank you'for your presentation° I
am sure we will have you back up again in a couple minutes after
the neighbors would like to speak; and then we will get back to
you. Is there anybody else who would like to speak in favor of
this? Wait one second. We are still doing in favor. Sam, how
are you tonight, Mr. Markel. So nice to see you.
SAM MARKEL: It seems a little strange to be sitting
down here. I just want to say that the property where this barn
is going to be located in their backyard is now being used to
house a herd of goats. ,As a matter of fact, just today our
local police had a herd of goats out of the road. We have had
those goats infringe upon us many, many times. And we have had
to chase them back. This barn was chosen so that the height
would not be obstructive and the color was chosen to be in
keeping with sort of a farm atmosphere or agricultural
atmosphere, and that was the purpose of choosing a red color.
It definitely will take away all the machinery along that area
that is now parked there twelve months of the year except when
used. I think it will greatly improve the entire rear of our
neighbor's property° We had another neighbor a little east
where we bent over backwards and did everything that gentleman
wanted, including erecting a fencer and he is perfectly
9/10/92
satisfied with what we have done.
to take care of our neighbors.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Markel, before you sit down --in
your capacity of speaking here, you are a shareholder in
island's End?
MR. MARKEL: I am a director, treasurer and a
shareholder.
THE CHAIRMAN: Is there any particular reason why you
chose to put it there and you didn't want to move it a little
bit farther west? Does that conflict with the eighth hole?
MR. MARKEL: A little farther west? Trees. We have
beautiful trees there that are not young trees but have been
there for years and are a thing of beauty in itself.
THE CHAIRMAN: Right.
MR. MARKEL: tn fact,
almost every year, little ones
I am sure if you have been out
22
We really bend over backwards
golf course you would ever want to be on.
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you. Anybody else want to speak
in favor? Seeing no hands, sir, you are ready?
RUSSOS ABADIOTAKIS, 2323 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY:
The first time I come to the Board of Appeals and they
never show up. I bought (indistinguishable) over there 15 years
ago. I spent $10,000 to put a fence and have no time to plant
flowers by that --What they do, they bring all the garbage and
they got a hundred machines and they destroy my whole fence
which I am going back to court now and I am going to order them
we plant hundreds of trees
and big ones and keep replacing.
there, ours is as nice as any
9/10/92 23
to take off my property; and if they want to build, they should
build the right thing behind the existing there. They say
private road, but it is my road, that is what you are going
through. And he say the goats they destroy, the goats I open
today, the animals, I let them out for the first time I see them
go on the street today in front of th~ place. But I can
disappear the goats, but won't disappear the machinery you got
there; it all rotten and broken my fence. And i going to take
them to court and -- ~
THE CHAIRMAN (interposing): Could I just ask you a
question?
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: What word could I refer to you as in
American, what?
MR. ABADIOTAKtS: Russos.
THE CHAIRMAN: What do you specifically object to in
reference to the barn if they are going to construct a barn,
okay, to take care of the problem that exists with putting --and
I am trying to act as an intermediary here-- to put the
equipment in so that they don't destroy your fence.
Do you object to it from a view point-of-view? Do you object to
it from a use point-of-view? What way do you object to it?
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: Sir, if you ask them--
THE CHAIRMAN: No, don't point to people.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: I like to point to him in charge
over there.
9/~0/92 24
THE CHAIRMAN: He hasn't even spoken yet. I don't
know his name.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: They all coming all together. My
property, every time I go over there, I got to get a garbage can
to walk along the fence to pick up the beer cans and the bottles
from what his workers throw in and out every time. I want my
property to be private; if they want to put it right, they put
it in back of the existing barn they got. If they want to get
into that, they can make it go from the existing barn to Go in
and out. They can do things if they want to. They just want to
make me disgusted with what they do so far. And I am here to
stay. I am not here to leave.
THE CHAIRMAN: I understand. But just let me
explain. We just asked him the question, we just established
that the existing barn --it looks like to me it is almost
falling down--
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: No fall down the barn. They can
build in the back another barn right behind, which--
THE CHAIRMAN: He just said they can't because it is
going to affect--
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: They don't want it! What if I
want to build a house for my son and he look at the back of a
barn!
THE CHAIRMAN: Is there anything that they could do,
other than building the barn as an attachment to the existing
old barn that would make you happy?
9/10/92 25
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: I don't want it in the front my
property, all around. First of all, from the middle of the
private road next, that road is not private to them. They use
it like it is private, trucks to deliver on my property oil
trucks to deliver oil; I got forced to put the fence because
every time I come I see 20 cars parked in the back of my garages
in the yard. Every time I come I was disgusted. I never
complain to the police. Last year they shot, his workers, with
a .22 pistol and the police have a report. This guy for 5 years
ago--
THE CHAIRMAN: Wait a minute. Don't point to anybody
please.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: I point to people in charge. Five
years ago they put (indistinguishable) on top the golf course
for their malls, I don't know what. Three shifts for ten
minutes because they die in ten minutes (sic). Now it bothers
them that I have a fence they don't want no more.
THE CHAIRMAN: Would you want us to make them
construct a six-foot stockade fence along the entire back of
your property?
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: No, my fence I take care of Ay
problems. I don't want a building close to my property. They
can build in the back of the existing building. If they want to
put a barn in the back of the yard, let them put it their
houses. Now I spend a lot of money over there and sleep there
maybe ten times in a year. And I pay taxes like everybody
else. I want to be private.
9/30/92 26
THE CHAIRMAN: Who takes care of the farm animals?
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: (Indistinguishable)
THE CHAIRMAN: You have somebody takes care of them.
So there is nothing that--
MR. ABADIOTAKIS:
THE CHAIRF~%N: I
There is no problem--
just asked the question because you
said you weren't here. So there is nothing that we could impose
in this specific application that would make you happy or that
would put your mind at ease?
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: From the main road, that driveway
that we got to go in, all the way to my yard - otherwise, they
go like an "L" shape there and (indistinguishable). They can
build on their barn, they can go up 10 stories, I em not going
to object. As long as it is on the back of the barn. So it
looks like one building. You can't start putting up a barn.
What if I want to put a barn over there? Then you going to tell
me I can't do what they can do? When you start breaking the
zonings, you do it for everybody.
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you, sir. Would you like to
speak, sir, the gentleman with the red shirt?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER': No, he pointed his finger at me
and I don't even know the guy.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Richter, we have a couple
qliestions. I rarely get into negotiating in this, I want you to
know that. But is there enough room to erect this barn standing
on its own in front of the existing barn? I am not saying Long
9/10/92 27
island Sound in front of~ I am talking of in back of, basically,
on the south side.
M~. RICHTER:
south side?
THE CHAIRMAN:
equipment in and out.
MR. RICHTER:
THE CHAIRMAN:
MR. RICHTER:
THE CHAIRMAN:
Is there enough room to build it on the
Yes, and then be able to jockey
That barn is 37 feet off his line.
And this barn is how wide?
Thirty, twenty-nine. ~
So forget that. So he is only asking
now for it to be constructed on the north side?
MR. RICHTER: On the north side of the barn.
THE CHAIRMAN: And that would be obstructing the first
green --is that what the?
MR. RICHTER: .Obstructing the first and of course the
eighth. Now there is one other thing, too. Mr. Russos seems
to think he has a right of way on our property which is our
property, which there used to be a right-of-way there years ago,
many years ago; but it is now not existent because there are no
parcels up there like there were before. There were five
parcels in that area. The right-of-way that was there, many
years ago, didn't touch his property anyway, so he had no right
to use that to get across. I don't quite understand what he
means by his driveway we are using.
THE CHAIRMAN: I really don't know, and I would rather
not get into it. Adjacent to the existing barn on the west side
9/],0/92 28
making a T-effect out of this would cause a particular problem
also, I assume.
MR. RICHTER: Yes, even more so.
THE CHAIRMAN: What about bringing the barn out
farther than ten feet from the existing back line of Mr.
Russos property?
MR. RICHTER: Much further. I think another 5 feet
and I doubt it would make any difference to Mr. Russos.
THE CHAIRMAN: Would it make any difference to you?
MR. RICHTER: It would, yes, to a certain extent.
Fifty feet is an extreme hardship to us. I understand we got a
big piece of property there. The unfortunate thing that i see
is that particular line where his fence is and our machinery is
parked alongside of, is his back yard and our front yard. He is
permitted, with his acreage, to build within 20 feet of that
line. We must go back 50 feet from that line. Same line with
two different interpretations. It breaks my heart.
THE CHAIRMAN: That is not necessarily the case
because if he was building a primary structure, he would have to
go back farther. Well, we will take a long, hard look at this
and it doesn't appear you are going to be building it this year
based upon what this gentleman is telling us, and that is what I
am trying to do as an intermediary, to appease everybody so we
can all be happy here. I want to be honest with you,
gentlemen. I have seen these things go on two and three years.
So you are going to lose equipment; he is going to spend money;
you are going to spend money; and the Town is going to spend
9/10/92 29
money. I wish we could have come to some agreement here. And,
Sam, if you have any ideas here--
MR. RICHTER: I would say that we would bend over
backwards to accomplish something that would be agreeable to
both parties and live in peace forevermore. We are talking
about equipment that costs $50,000 or' $60,000;.and, very
frankly, although we are a membership corporation, we do cater
to the community and all its functions. I don't have to tell
any of you that. We accept every group in this Town that wants
to use our facilities, and we accept days aside for it
specifically. In my mind, it would be imperative to have a good
neighborly relationship. We go way out of our way to do it now
and would be happy to do it again.
THE CHAIRMAN: I would rather not see litigation on
this. Thank you, sir. JCould we meet you gentlemen on Saturday
morning at ten o'clock out there? And take a look at the old
barn and J-are you going to be around Saturday, Mr. Richter?
MR. RUSSOS ABADIOTAKIS: Whyfore he can say I
have no private in the back? How I was going the back of my
garages before that, how I was going in? I put the fence there
to stop your trucks park there and cars. But I have a door over
there and I open driveway with a double doorway and I going open
another door for the trucks to come through because oil truck
used to come through there. You can ask Mr. OIL to deliver the
oil. Now you people have no idea of rights. I am the only
private, am I right or wrong? On the left and right is all
commercial, am I right or wrong?
9/10/92 30
THE CHAIRMAN: Well, they are residential also.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: Ail right; so why do they have to
come here and --
THE CHAIRMAN: They have
in a residential district.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: That's
to stay.
a pre-existing golf course
right; that's what it going
THE CHAIRMAN: We are not referring to this golf
course being a commercial operation. It is a residential golf
course. It is a non-conforming golf course. There is no zoning
on your golf course, right?
MR. RICHTER: That's right.
THE CHAIRMAN: So we will meet you around nine-thirty,
ten o'clock. I'll be at the barn. Mr. Dinizio wants to come,
Mr. Villa; Mr. Doyen will be back in Fishers Island, and I'll be
there quarter to ten or so. We'll take a look at the old barn
interiorly~ we'll take a look at any options that we might have
in reference to modifying this thing. I really don't want to
get into the right-of-way issue. That's not for our, you know.
And we will see what we can develop here. And we will reconvene
the hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting. We will
make a decision, and that
way to go.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS:
(indistinguishable).
everything.
I will now.
is the end of it. I think that is the
They destroy my whole fence
They got a hundred machines. They bust
I never complain. I never took them to court, but
Because now they going out of hand.
9/10/92
MR. RICHTER:
fence. We did bump into the corner post.
with a truck in the corner post. Okay?
is no problem.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: I going to check the whole thing.
is saying.
~HE CHAIRMAN:
MR. RICHTER:
you look down the road,
One more thing I will say about that
Somebody hit that
We can fix that. That
Wait a minute. Let him finish what he
You stand at one end of that fence and
and it is bent like this. TOwards the
golf course. Now we didn't do that. Goats did that. The goats
been pushing--
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: The goats, come on --your
tractors. I know what is gozng on.
THE CHAIRMAN: You guys give us a real toughie here,
you know that. Have a good night.
MR. ABADIOTAKIS: (Indistinguishable)
THE CHAIRMAN: Calm down. We are going to try to get
this squared away. Hearing no further comments, I will make a
motion recessing this to the next regularly scheduled meeting~
9/zo,/92 32
8:27 p.m.
APPLICATION NO. 4114 - GEORGE TSAVARIS.
A Variance to the zoning Ordinance, Article XXIII, Section
100-239.4 for approval of deck area as exists at the top of
bluff stairway along the L.I. Sound. Location of Property:
2170 The Strand Lane, East Marion, NY; Pebble Beach Farms Filed
Map No. 6266, Lot 111; Parcel ID No. 1000-30-2-53.
(The Chairman opened the hearing and read the Legal
Notice and application for the record.)
THE CHAIRMAN: I have a copy of a sketch of deck area
and pictures in this application supplied to us by the
applicant, and we have a copy of the Suffolk County Tax Map
indicating this and surrounding properties in the area. We have
a survey dated January 15, 1992, updated April 16, 1992,
indicating this approximately 3-sided deck showing approximate
diameter of 15.9 feet, 15 feet 9 inches, approximately ground
level or so, with a little elevation. Mrs. Tsavaris, would
you like to be heard? Who is speaking?
MRS. TSAVARIS: I don't know what more to say except
that when we had first put the deck in, I had originally thought
that we had the house and the deck because both of them were on
the site plan together. I thought that everything was approved;
and when the DEC had come for the steps, they were on the deck
and the application had said that it was attached to a deck. I
tried to get a copy of the plans he had but with Labor Day, I
couldn't get it.
9/10/92 33
THE CHAIRMAN: DO we have a copy of the DEC permit?
That is what you were waiting for --in there? You have it right
there.
MRS. TSAVARIS: The copy I have, but I couldn't get
the plans to show you it was drawn with the whatever.
THE CHAIRMAN: I hate to bring this up: What has
developed with your neighbors over the last decision?
MRS. TSAVARIS: Nothing.
THE CHAIRMAN: Let's see if anybody has any specific
questions concerning this.
MEMBER VILLA: When was it built? How long has it
been there?
MRS. TSAVARIS: 1985.
THE CHAIRMAN: That is the year the house was built.
MRS. TSAVARIS: The house was completed and then the
deck was built.
MEMBER VILLA: Was it in the springtime?
MRS. TSAVARIS: I believe so, as soon as the ground
thawed out.
THE CHAIRMAN: Has there been any movement on the lip
of the bluff based upon the construction of this particular--
MRS. TSAVARIS: Not that I know of. There is beach
plum that has grown in 3 feet. When we had first planted it and
it is all over now. The soil sample, the way it is graded, we
kept the natural contour of the bluff so that everything would
-- no water runs off the bluff from my backyard-- it all runs
forward. Landward not seaward. On one of the surveys I had the
9/10/92 34
contour lines shown --higher in the back and as it goes forward
to the front yard of my house.
THE CHAIRMAN: You do utilize this fireplace? The
charcoal pit --you use that quite regularly?
MRS. TSAVARIS: Not that regularly. In the
summertime.
THE CHAIRMAN: There is no lighting attached to this
deck at all?
MRS. TSAVARIS: No, there is just lighting areound
the bottom of the deck so that nobody falls.
THE CHAIRMAN: There are no specific umbrellas used on
this deck to shield the sun?
beat up.
that has
MRS. TSAVARIS:
THE CHAIRMAN:.
MRS. TSAVARIS:
an umbrella.
THE CHAIRMAN:
I have one umbrella that is kind of
And is there any other type of--
There is a little round table and
I don't have any other questions.
This is directly related to the stairs which lead down to the
Sound, right?
MRS. TSAVARIS: Yes.
questions from Board members?
elops at the hearing. Is there anybody else who would like to
speak in favor of this application? Anybody like to speak
against the application? Seeing no hands, I make a motion
closing the hearing and reserving decision until later.
It is attached. No other
okay, we will see what else dev
9/10/92 35
8:35 p.m.
APPLICATION NO. 4119SE - RICHARD GOODALE AND MATTITUCK AUTO
CENTER, INC.(Tenant).
Special Exception to the Zoning Ordinance, Article X, Section
100-101B(12) for a permit authorizing: (a) a new car sales
establishment;(b) an establishment of an accessory use
incidental to the proposed new car sales establishment for the
sale and/or lease of used vehicles; (c) outside display of
vehicles, (d) accessory office use incidental to the new
principal use as a new car sales establishment. Location of
Property: 7655 Main Road (NYS Route 25), Laurel, near
Mattituck, NY: County Tax Map Parcel No. 1000-122-06-30.1
(prey. 30).
(The Chairman opened the hearing and read the Legal
Notice and application for the record.)
THE CHAIRMAN: ~ This hearing is in behalf of Richard
Goodale. It is a hearing which has been continuing and Mr.
McLaughlin is here straight from Channel 25. I had seen him
this afternoon It is nice to have public figures here. Is
there something you would like to add to this hearing, Mr.
McLaughlin?
Appearance: J. Kevin McLaughlin, Esq., for the
Applicant.
F~R. MCLAUGHLIN: Not really. I believe we have
supplied you with everything you requested in the. way of some
additions to the sketch site plan showing the parking for
automobiles that may be on site, not for sale but merely taken'-
in as trades and to be removed for the next available auction,
9/10/92 36
taken off site and sold somewhere else. And I have supplied
the Town Attorney with a copy of a rather substantial brochure
from the electric power franchise down in Florida which I
believe he has reviewed and has made available to the Board. I
believe that we have provided, with everything we have given to
the Board so far, proof as to all of the elements necessary for
a special exception under 100-10lB(12) and I am here basically
to answer any questions that you may have.
THE CHAIRMAN: Well, we are still discussing this with
the Town Attorney in reference to its adequacy, and that is the'
only concern I have at this particular point. I have really no
other concerns, other than the fact that there are probably too
many cars there for sale at this time, and any decision from
this Board may limit the amount of cars that are actually to be
used for display. I am~not trying to put you in a positive or
negative mode in reference to your considerations here. You may
see something more than a permanent decision from this Board,
and it depends basically on how we still to determine this
franchise and how it is to exist. And that is all I can really
tell you. You can try and pump me for information, but we are
still discussing it, and I am in no way trying to hold back
anything from you.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I have attempted and I have at a very
limited opportunity spoken with the Town Attorney.
THE CHAIRMAN: Only to the Doint that I think in
months to come it would behoove you and your applicant -- you as
the agent for the applicant, and the applicant-- to discuss some
9/10/92
37
modification to the Southold Town Code concerning this
particular problem that exists here; and that is the requirement
of a new car franchise; and that may be a possibility. I don't
know how--
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: It could be but I haven't received
any enthusiastic support so far.
THE CHAIRMAN: At the time of voting on that, it was a
different Town Board. There are different people on the Board
at this time. That's all I can tell you at this point. But
based upon the criteria that we have, I am not ready to vote
and, again I use the word "unkind'~-- It would be unkind of me to
have you leave this hearing with your applicant and the
architect for the applicant and tell you that we are ready to
vote on a permanent special permit because it ain't going to
happen unfortunately, at this point, based on the information
that we have.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: See, that is what my problem is
because no one is telling me what additional information they
would like to see. We would be happy to disclose anything and
everything that we have available to us but to the best of my
knowledge, we have given you everything that you have requested,
and I don't know what further steps to take because I am not
getting any feedback in particular --and I don't mean this in a
critical way-- but I am just not getting any feedback either
from the Town Attorney or from this Board as to what it is that
they are interested in seeing that they don't have.
9/~0/92 a8
THE CHAIRMAN: Right. Well, I think in particular, in
looking at the normal criteria, of this corporation, I think
personally you could send any car down to them and they would
produce a (one word indistinguishable) car. It doesn't have to
be a new Car. It doesn't have to be -- there are outfits in
Florida that make a convertible out of a hard top. It will put
fiberglass fenders on a VW and make it look like a Benton, all
right. That doesn't change the physical characteristic of the
car. The car at the time that it was given to them was a used
car, right? And that is the basic problem that we have under
this situation --that I have-- I am not speaking for the other
Board members. This issue has not necessarily only been raised
by me because I cannot take full responsibility for this; and I
am telling you pointblank that is my opinion on the whole
situation; go ahead --
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I had, again, a very limited chance
to speak t° the Town Attorney about this. His first reaction
after he got this brochure we had given him was this is just a
conversion kit; and I said No, if you look carefully at the
brochure, there are two things that this company does. One is
Yes~ what you just said: They will take an existing used car
and convert it into an electric car from a gasoline car. But
they will also provide brand-new electric cars, and that is what
we intend to utilize the franchise to do, sell new electric cars.
MEMBER VILLA: Ask him, who is the manufacturer of the
new electric cars that you would be doing business with?
9/1Q/92
39
THE CHAIRMAN: They could be any manufacturer. I
don't care. It could be Ford, Chrysler, GM, whatever.
MEMBER VILLA: The question I was asking: Who is the
manufacturer of the new electric cars that you would be doing
business with? You haven't got anybody yet. You don't show a
manufacturer of a new electric car.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: Yes, yes, they do. From this
brochure I just gave you a copy.
THE CHAIRMAN: Now, without letting the cat out of the
bag, totally, all right, as I told you, we are not going to give
you a permanent license --you know, permanent special permit at
this point. At this point I think we should let it go. We will
render our decision, all right, and we are going to see you back
in the future, and you are going to show us and tell us what you
did, and that is the end of it.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: Again, I don't mean to be critical,
but I don't understand what it is that the Board is not
helpful. I understand you are telling me we are not going to
get a special exception, a permanent special exception; but I
don't understand what you mean, you are going to see us back
here in front of this Board again. Again, if there is something
that you are looking for, we are not playing our cards close to
our chests here. We are trying to provide you with whatever we
can which you can make an enlightened decision upon. Whatever
that may be. But to tell me we are going to get a decision that
is going to require us to come back and give you some future
proof somewhere down the line --I just don't understand why you
9/10/92 40
don't tell me what it is you want now so that we can begin to
try to compile that information for you if it is available.
MEMBER VILLA: Sales of solar cars.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: You want us to come to you and tell
you we have already sold solar cars?
THE CHAIRMAN: New cars.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: New solar cars. I would respectfully
s~bmit to this Board that nobody required that of any other car
dealer around here, and I think that --while I don~'t have any
particular problem with providing you with proof of that-- I
.think it is a burden being put on an electric car franchise that
isn't put on any other car franchise here.
THE CHAIRMAN: That is why I said to you, Kevin, it
would make sense to me --
MR. MCLAUGHLIN:
MEMBER VILLA: I
Sorry I didn't hear you.
said any other franchise is a bona
fide franchise. I mean if you go to a franchise for Ford or
Chrysler, they don't give out those things willynilly. You have
got to put up performance standards, and, actually, you almost
have to buy these kind of things.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: There is no question, it is extremely
expensive to open up a car agency, a regular Ford franchise or
whatever.
MEMBER VILLA: Okay, and the last one they had, the
car agency complied with all the rules and regulations, et
cetera, setbacks and everything else.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: Plus they built a big building.
41
THE CHAIRMAN: But that is not my point. My point is
that, although we have no specific criteria for the
establishment of a new car franchise, we are used to new car
franchises the way we know a new .car franchise is, and that is
basically what Bob just mentioned, right? There may be some
other avenue that you may investigate' in the near future that
may be more advantageous to you to prove to us there is a
possibility that this may exist, all right. At this point it is
not tangible to me. I can't see it, I can't feel it, I can't
touch it, and you cannot show me revenue, dollars-and-cents
proof for anything that this particular business is going to fly.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: No one else did that ahead of time
THE CHAIRMAN: Even if they opened and closed the
doors and a new car was brought in, one new Mustang mn Lucas
Ford, okay, then we would know that they had one new Mustang to
sell and they must have gotten it from Ford Motor Company, and
that was basically the situation.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: Are you telling me if we had one
electric car on the lot for sale, that would suffice?
THE CHAIRMAN: No, I am saying that at least we would
be able to see it; we would be able to touch it; we would be
able to feel it; we would be able to drive it if we wanted to,
if we sent somebody down there.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: The problem with that is, it is like
asking Lucas Ford to stock his showroom before he gets
permission from the Town Hall for all the requisite permits in
order to operate. What sense does it make for us to bring an
9/10/92 42
electric car up here now when we don't have the requisite
permits from the Board?
THE CLERK: First time it has been done on Long
Islandr right? Is there an~here on Long Island that has it?
THE CHAIRMAN: Does anybody else sell them, Kevin?
THE CLERK: On Long Island?'
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I don't know. Do you know, does
anybody else sell them on Long Island?
MEMBER VILLA: To use another argument, you have got
all those used cars sitting there without a permit. So what is
the difference? You can spend a lot of money, bringing in all
these other cars, and you are in violation of the Town code, but
you are doing it anyway~
ME. MCLAUGHLIN: Well, we have (two words inaudible)
have done that, and we have come to an arrangement with the Town
concerning that.violation°
THE CHAIRMAN: That was when you had gotten cited for
it in the Justice of the Peace Court right and had a $75 fine,
howmuch?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: $775. And the Town Attorney and
myself negotiated an arrangement as to how to continue. So my
-- while technically there may be a Violation, there is an
agreement as to the operation of this business.
THE CHAIRMAN: What I am saying to you is I could have
just said to you: Thank you for coming. There is no additional
information. I am still saying we are having a problem, okay.
9/10/92 43
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I understand the problem; I just
would like to be able co say, if you as~ me to do something, I
will attempt to do it.
THE CHAIRMAN: I want to be honest with you. I know,
Rick; I don't want to shut you guys down. I would rather not do
that, okay. I mean and that is basically the situation, so we
are going to wait and see what happens here.
THE CLERK: Where are they selling these cars. Maybe
we could go there and find out from the company more'about it.
THE APPLICANT: Florida.
THE CLERK: Florida is the only place they are selling
them, nowhere in the State of New York?
THE CHAIRMAN: He said he doesn't know
MEMBER VILLA: They provide conversion kits.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: He indicates they are selling them in
Connecticut somewhere.
THE CLERK: Are they allowed in New York?
THE APPLICANT: Sure.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: There are certain limitations in the
technology of electric vehicles that don't make them appeal to
everyone these days.
THE CHAIRMAN: Well, that is basically where we are at
this point, Kevin, and in any case you know, I am just telling
you that is what we discussed and where we are, and it is not
going to have in the short run in my opinion based on a decision
that we are going to render, a real negative effect upon your
client.
9/10/92 44
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: SO there will be a decision rendered?
THE CHAIRMAN: Yes. And we just ask that you keep all
the avenues open so that we can come to some agreement here
eventually. As for the variance on the buffer, we are going to
hold that in abeyance, and we will see what happens.
THE CLERK: Tell him why you are holding it in
abeyance, so that he doesn't have to go through a whole
site-plan process.
THE CHAIRMAN: You are not going to be required to do
a site plan process, in my opinion, until such time as you can
prove to us that these things exist. Certainly I can be taken
on the carpet for this by the Planning Board; there is no doubt
in my mind. The minute they read these minutes, I am sure I'll
get a call from the Chairman, there is no question of that. If
you don't have a permanent special permit from this Board, you
certainly are not going to invest, Rich said, $30.000 they
wanted? That is what the site plan cost? So that is basically
the situation, okay. And let's come to the realization, let's
get it done, let's see what we can do, and I think you should
keep the avenue open, the possibility o~ a modification on the
existing requirement of having a new car license.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I will be happy to go back to members
of the Board and see whether or not they are more receptive
--That avenue was explored, quite frankly.
THE CHAIRMAn: You spoke to the Chairman of the
Legislative Committee about this?
9/10/92 45
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I spoke with a couple of members of
the Town Board who could not enthusiastically endorse that idea.
THE CHAIRMAN: Okay. You know, then we just have to
go on the other avenue. When it comes up here, we will go see
it and that is basicall~ it, and, you know, go from there. That
is the best I can do for you at this point. Mr. Doyen, in the
interim is going to call the Solar Car Corporation, all right?
MEMBER DOYEN: They have received some national
attention from the media, this company.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I don't think that there is much
question that this is the technology of the future.
But the future is not quite here.
MEMBER DOYEN:
it is getting there.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN:
But
Well, like the Model T.
MR. DINIZIO: ~Well, you can't have the ~uture without
the past. You have to live by that.
MEMBER DOYEN: Kevin, I would just like to know and,
if you cans please be honest: What is your intention --if we
grant this-- what car is your intention to put out there?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: We will do whatever we have to do.
We will buy and put there a brand new car. We will sell as many
new solar cars as the public will buy, and we will make money at
it. We will be happy to sell.
MEMBER DOYEN: (PHRASE inaudible) to put a Ford
Festiva out there on the thing that we approved as far as being
~ feet away from the road. Is that your intention right now to
do that?
9/10/92 46
To go buy this electric car, Ford Festiva or Caravanw whatever
it might be-- and display it on that lot; and, whether you sell
it or not is not really relevant, in my mind.
A person who sells things is not a seller until someone buys
something. If you purchase something and try to sell it, it is
the same thing, you are trying to sell it; and I understand
that. Do you intend to buy one of these cars, put it on that
lot for sale?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I can only speak for price myself.
If it was me and I was there, my answer would be "Only if you
make me." Because I wouldn't invest the money if I didn't have
to. If I could sell it out of the brochure, I'd sell it out of
the brochure and not have to pay the floor-room finance.
THE CHAIRMAN: We could care less if it ever shows up
in Mattituck. The question is, is it going to be sold, is it
going to happen? Is the franchise (indistinguishable due to
multiple voices).
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I can tell you what I would do.
THE CHAIRMAN: Well, I would like to know what the
applicant would do. I think it bears a lot --if you are
telling me to interpret this as a new car dealership in the
sense that the code was written, okay - and you have people on
the code committee saying 'no used-car dealerships without new
car dealerships' --That is what they are saying-- now I am
having them think of Campbells in Greenport, Lucas Ford now,
Mullen Motors, in their mind as new car dealerships, maybe they
have fifteen or twenty new cars. Well, I don't care if it is
9/10/92 47
one new car; I don't care if it's from Russia, where --It
doesn't make any difference; but in the sense that the code was
written, which is we can't usurp that code. We can interpret it
somewhat, but I still think you have to interpret it somewhat
sensibly; and the reason why I am asking for your intention is
because it means a lot. It seems like this whole situation has
gone inches at a time. It has never taken big steps. It has
always been you want four spaces, they want ten spaces, that.
Now we need places to park the used cars. We always-have to
find these things out, instead of a set plan coming in, okay,
this is a workable site plan. This is what you need for a used
car dealership. You got to have spaces for people who trade in
cars, got to have enough room here to turn them, and things such
as that. I thought that the idea of an electric car dealership
was a great idea. Okayr I will leave it at that, but if your
intention --and I don't hear it from anybody-- is not to
actually display the new car in the sense of what I am thinking
the new car dealership is, then I don't know how this flies,
even temporarily.
MEMBER DOYEN: The question I had before when I was
asking, do you have a bona fide agreement with these people that
you are bound to have these immediately, or (inaudible) with a
new automobile?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I believe so, yes. We have an
agreement.
9/10/92 ~8
MEMBER DOYEN: There is no question, that there is no
backing out on their part? They don't like you, do you have a
binding contract?
MR, MCLAUGHLIN: No more than any other franchise. I
mean, if they are not satisfied and I don't mean to pick out
Lucas Ford, but if he doesn't sell enough cars, they are going
to pull their dealership from him.
MEMBER DOYEN: I mean even to sign off with. Not down
the road. You are not a new car dealer if you don't have one of
these cars. So if they back out, where are you? You don't have
a new franchise.
THE CHAIRMAN: It is not even a franchise-type deal
because you or I could go to them and get the same agreement as
an individual, they would sell us a new car.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: That is not true. We have an
exclusive area in which to sell. I am not saying you couldn't
go down there personally. You can possibly go to Ford and buy a
car from them.
THE CHAIRMAN: He is saying they have a specific
geographic location. When Jimmy Dinizio (Member) referred to
Campbells, Lucas is an offshoot of Campbells. Campbells used to
be a Ford dealership in Greenport, so basically when they closed
and extinguished their franchise, it was then that Ford
relocated and Lucas came out here and reinstituted that
franchise.
MEMBER DOYEN: Put it another way. The ordinance
requires a new car franchise to sell used cars, right?
9/19/92 49
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: New car dealership.
MR. DOYEN: So you this out and the company
doesn't like you anymore, and so you decide you haven't got the
franchise, and then where is your used car business? What we
are trying to satisfy is you got a viable, going new dealership
so we don't have problems down the road.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I
I have looked into with this
viable concern that is--
MEMBER DOYEN:
MR. MCLAUGHLIN:
MEMBER DOYEN:
voices).
MR. MCLAUGHLIN:
appreciate that and everything that
indicates to me that this is a
__going
Well,
I don't
to stand up in the long run.
I don't know.
know either (overlapping
I would agree that if we don't have
products to sell of the,new car variety, we are not a new car
dealership.
MEMBER DOYEN: We are just trying to make sure you
have a real bona fide new car dealership.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I appreciate that and, believe me, I
understand that this is not the typical dealership that was
contemplated under the code when it was adopted; and it is not
the typical franchise agreement that you are going to find with
a Ford, Chrysler or anybody else.
THE CHAIRMAN: The other concern that we have
conceivably is the fact that when we use the word secondary and
incidental in the way of accessory structures, okay, we are
using the word secondary and incidental in this particular
9/10/92 50
manner to mean that the primary use of this particular business
is to sell used cars, is it not?
THE CLERK: New cars or used cars?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: The primary purpose of this is to
sell automobiles and make money. Whether they be new or used.
Now I am not going to stand here before you and tell you, say,
you've got ten used cars on the lot and one ~ew electric car --
I am not going to tell you that I think in the first month the
new car sales are going to surpass the sales of used vehicles.
I would think that would be extraordinary.
THE CHAIRMAN: No, what I am saying is that normally
what we are used to seeing is --and correct me if I am wrong--
In a new car dealership that 80 per cen{ of the cars on the
floor plan or on the floor, be it inside or outside~ are new
~ars; and 20 per cent or 10 per cent are used cars. In this
particular case we have a reverse situation.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: Although my understanding --and I am
no expert-- It is just what I have been told by the applicant
basically is that on the average, a new car, a regular new car
dealership, their sales are approximately one-third new car,
one-third used car, and one-third service. So if we are talking
about a new car dealership with the sale of used cars incidental
to that, I don't know what the definition would be --It
certainly can't be just profit because probably none of them
would get more than 50 per cent of their profits out of the sale
of new cars.
THE CHAIRMAN: Although the service is primarily
related to the new car issue, based upon the fact that people
would want to Probably keep their new cars in better shape than
their used cars.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: What was the rationale on the new
dealership (inaudible)?
THE CHAIRMAN: I didn't write the Code, sir. Because
in years gone by there must have been a significant amount --The
service of the cars is not outside; is that correct?'
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: There will be no on-site service of
these cars.
THE CHAIRMAN: Of any cars?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: No.
THE CHAIRMAN: The greatest amount of work on these
Cars that exist nowl regardless of whether they are new or used,
--when I say new, I mean within the same calendar year,
regardless if they have 800 miles on them or 80,000 miles on
them, is that they are cleaned and polished in the lower half of
the accessory structure in the back?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I believe that is correct.
THE CHAIRMAN: There are no points, plugs, condensers,
oil changes or anything of that nature?
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: That is all done outside by somebody
else, right?
MEMBER VILLA: Other than 'emergency?
THE CLERK: Emergency what.
THE CHAIRMAN: If they have to jump in and change a
battery or whatever the case might be. Okay, so that is
basically where we are, and sorry to take everybody's so much
time, but this is what we had to tell you.
MR. MCLAUGHLIN: I appreciate the fact.
THE CHAIRMAN: There is no other way I can tell you.
Anybody else who would like to speak in favor? Against? Seeing
no signs, I make a motion to close the hearing and reserving
decision until later.
9/10/92 53
9:05 p.m.
APPLICATION NO. 4127 - NORTH FORK BANK & TRUST COMPANY.
Variance to the Zoning Ordinance, Article IX, Section 100-92 for
permission to construct addition with an insufficient front yard
setback along Sound Avenue. Location of Property: 750 Pacific
Street at intersection with Sound Avenue, Mattituck, NY; County
Tax Map Parcel No. 1000-144-4-24. Subject premises is located
in the Hamlet-Business (HB) Zone District.
(The Chairman opened the hearing and read the Legal
Notice and application for the record. )
THE CHAIRMAN: I have a copy of a site plan which is
the nature of this application which refers to a proposed
addition which extends out from the existing mortgage center of
North Fork Bank, past mortgage center of North Fork Bank, to
(indistinguishable) Avenue approximately six feet from the
property line as it exists now; and I have a copy of the Suffolk
County Tax Map indicating this and surrounding properties in the
area. Miss Wickham, would you like to be heard?
Appearance: Gail Wickham, Esq., for the Applicant
MISS WICKHAM: Thank you. The location of this
proposed addition and its contents, which as you can see from
the plan is primarily kitchen and staff facilities, were provided
to us by the Town of Southold in connection with the pending
sale to the Town for use as their Nutrition Center. If you have
any questions, I would be glad to answer them for you.
THE CHAIRMAN: I know you are answering questions for
the municipality; but is there any reason why they chose to go
toward Old Sound Avenue and not into the parking lot, since
there certainly was more adequate parking. Ail you had to do
was take grass away --in other words, flipping the kitchen.
MISS WICKHAM: Let me first say, t was hoping someone
from the Town would be here tonight; but maybe Ron can help
answer that question. My understanding is that when they looked
at the layout of the building where they wanted the kitchen to
be relative to the access of the driveway for service people and
whatnot, and also having people being to able to walk in from
the parking lot into the main areas without having to go through
a kitchen area, I presume that is why they did it that way. The
other thing I understand is that there are some pools in that
grass area for drainage.
MR. RON BOGOVICH:
because the plumbing line is on
rest rooms are there and
that side.
THE CHAIRMAN:
have a basement?
MR. BOGOVICH:
the building.
MISS WICKHAM:
slab.
It was also the most economical way
that side of the building. The
there is a small kitchen facility on
Is this building a slab? Or does it
It has a basement in maybe one-fifth of
The addition I understand will be on a
take-out and in.
MISS WICKI~AM: No.
knew you would ask questions,
I had asked the plumber,because I
but I'm sorry I don't know.
purposes how many people they serve on a daily basis,
THE CHAIRMAN: We have no idea for the hearing
both
9/10/92 55
THE CHAIRMAN: Jerry?
MR. DINIZIO: The number thrown me at that meeting
today was 450 meals daily.
THE CHAIRMAN:
MISS WICK}LAM:
MR. DINIZIO:
Okay.
Not on premises though.
450 meals. I-guess there are probably
some meals-on-wheels, on-site, what have you.
THE CHAIRMAN: Let me understand: The Town is
contract-vendee or potential contract-vendee, predicated on this
particular variance for the construction of this particular
addition. If this variance is worded in such a way so as to be
used exclusively for this contractual relationship and no other
contractual relationship, you as a representative of the North
Fork Bank have no problems.
MISS WICKHAM:. I have no problems.
THE CHAIRMAN: Have all the facilities of North Fork
Bank used for this particular purpose in this building, mortgage
center~ computerization, hard drives and Soft drives and all the
rest-- has that all been removed?
MISS WICKHAM: There is some furniture still there.
There may be some pieces of equipment, but I think all the
fixtures have been removed, haven't they?
MR. BOGOVICH: Yes.
THE CHAIRMAN: The only thing then being utilized at
this time is the garage, the storage area for the maintenance
crews or whatever?
9/10/92 56
MR. BOGOVICH: No, the,Town is storing their proposed
kitchen equipment in the garage.
THE CHAIRMAN: I see, because I had seen a North Fork
Bank pickup down there, and that is why I asked.
MR. BOGOVICH: The bank I think has nothing in the
garage any more except a lawnmower that they use to cut the
grass there so that --
THE CHAIRMAN: Does anybody have any other question?
Bob?
MR. VILLA: No; in my inquiry into this is the reason
the Town is asking North Fork Bank to do it is because it is a
turn-key operation; and if the Town were to take it over first,
and construct this, they would not actually need any variances
because it is a Town operation; but then they would be subject
to going out for bids and time delays; and they thought the
speediest way of doing it was a turn-key operation. That was my
gathering of what transpired.
THE CHAIRMAN: Is North Fork Bank building this?
MISS WICK~AM: We are, yes. We have been advised the
Town wants it and we will obtain permits and build it, and sell
it on completion.
MEMBER VILLA:
THE CHAIRMAN:
further questions.
MEMBER VILLA:
It will be a turn-key operation.
In that particular case, I have no
I just have a left-handed question.
Does this mean the relationship between the Town and the North
Fork Bank has improved? Because when I went to cash a check
9/ 0/92 57
there, they wouldn't even look at it. I told them I was a was a
stockholder, and they still laughed at me and wouldn't cash the
check.
MISS WICKHAM: Well, they do have to be prudent with
customers on that--
(Interrupted by laughter.) ~
THE CHAIRMAN: Hearing no further comment, I make a
motion closing the hearing and reserving decision.
MISS WICKHAM: Thank you.
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you for coming in.
(End of public hearings of 9/10/92)