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Southold Town Board of Appeals
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APPEALS BOARD
MEMBERS
GERARD P. GOEHRINGER, CHAIRMAN
CHARLES GRIGONIS, JR.
SERGE DOYEN, JR.
JOSEPH H. SAWICKI
JAMES DINIZlO, JR.
Appl. No. 3911.
ACTION OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Matter of WALTER RAFFERTY - Application for a Variance to the Zoning
Ordinance, Article XXIV, Section 100-241A, (Article ~DfVIII, Section
100-281 (3) as disapproved by the Building Inspector) for permission
to construct additions and alterations to "garage with apartment"
structure. Property Location: East End Road,~ Fishers Island, NY;
County Tax Map District 1000, Section 003, Block 07, Lot 005.
WHEREAS, public bearings were held both on March 15, 1990 and
on May 15, 1990 under this application, and as amended to include
not only a variance as to proposed additi0rls and alterations but
also to reinstate use of said garage structure as a legal nonconform -
ing second dwelling;
WHEREAS, at said hearing all those who desired to be heard were
heard and their testimony recorded; and
WHEREAS, the Board Members have personally viewed and are
familiar with the premises in question, its present zoning, and the
immediate surrounding areas; and
1. The premises in question is situate along Middle Farms Pond
at the East End of Fishers Island, Town of Southold, and is identified
on the Suffolk County Tax Maps as District 1000, Section 003, Block 07,
Lot 005.
2. The subject premises contains an area of 6.23+- acres (includ-
ing wetland and upland areas) and is improved by two buildings, as
follows:
Page 2 - Appl. No. 3911
Appl. of Walter Rafferty
Decision Rendered May 30,
1990
(a) principal (main) single-family dwelling situated at
the northern portion of the premises(at elevations above 35 feet
above mean sea level) and near center between the two side
property lines (the setbacks of the buildings have not been
provided for reference);
(b) separate "garage" or accessory structure containing
approximately 616 sq. ft. of first floor area, and situated
easterly of the principal dwelling and closest to the east
property line. ~he dimension of the accessory structure as
exists is 22' x 28' (+-).
3. This application is an appeal from the January 2, 1990
determination of the Building Inspector and from the April 13,
1990 determination of the Building Inspector based on a "permit
to alter and make habitable" requested caretaker garage for living
quarters which has been dormant for more than two years and has
lost its legal nonconformity and use thereof as living quarters.
4. Article XXIV, Section 100-241A of the Zoning Code provides
as follows:
"...Except as provided hereinafter, nonconforming use of
buildings or open land existing ...may be continued indefinitely,
except that such building or use: A. Shall not be enlarged,
altered, extended, re~nstructed or restored or placed on a differ-
ent portion of the lot or parcel of land occupied by such use on
the effective date of this chapter, nor shall any external evidence
of such use be increased by any means whatsoever .... "
5. The building plans dated November 29, 1989 prepared by
James Volney Righter Architects show substantial renovations and
an addition for two stories approximately doubling the existing
floor area of the accessory building. The size of the building
would also be increased from the existing 22' x 28' to 22' x 56~'
(without the deck extension at the southerly end of the building.
The uses of the rooms in the proposed addition are for two new
bathrooms, two new bedrooms, laundry room, and the remaining
sections of the building would be substantially renovated and
renewed to provide a full kitchen with cooking and electrical
facilities and living room.
Page 3 - Appl. No. 3911
Appl. of Walter Rafferty
Decision Rendered May 30,
1990
6. For the record it is noted that the February 21, 1989
survey prepared by Chandler Palmer & King, L.S. show an "existing
garage" and proposed new location of new septic system to be
located north of the structure.
7. It is also noted that copies of a modified survey were
submitted showing all structures on the property; however, the
original survey as prepared August 1957 (without recent modifica-
tions by JVR Architects for the subject addition) was not furnished°
8. It is the position of this Board that the record herein
clearly shows that the subject building has for more than two
years, in any continuous period of time from 1958, and perhaps
before 1958, remained dormant and has not been used a habitable
quarters, with the exception for possibly several hours, or even
a day, as "sleep" or "playing" area for one or more children.
No proof has been submitted for the record to show that there
was clear intent to use this building for habitable quarters for
any period of time. It is the Board's knowledge that the building
has depreciated by 50% or more, and that the building is in an aban-
doned state, and has been for at least 30 years.
9. Accordingly, it is the determination of this Board that
(a) sufficient proof has not been furnished to warrant a grant of
the variances requested; (b) the relief requested is substantial
in relation to the zoning requirements; (c) the proposal is not
consistent with those generally existing in the neighborhood; (d)
that there is another method available for appellants to pursue
other than a variance; (e) the spirit and intent of the zoning
ordinance will be served by denying the ralief in this request,
as presented; (f) the relief requested is not minimal, and the
variances are substantial in relation to the re quirenents; (g)
the spirit of zoning is to restrict and not increase (or add)
nonconforming uses, and to eliminate such uses as speedily as
possible except in cases where great hardship has resulted.
NOW, THEREFORE, on motion by Mr. Dinizio, seconded by Mr. Goehringer,
it was
Page 4 - Appl. NO. 3911
Appl. of Walter Rafferty
Decision Rendered May 30,
1990
RESOLVED, to DENY the relief requested under Appl. No. 3911
in the Application of Walter Rafferty to reinstate nonconform~g
accessory garage structure for habitable quarters and to DENY the
relief requested to enlarge and substantially alter garage
structure for said requested habitable quarters.
Vote of the Board: Ayes: Messrs. Goehringer, Dinizio,
Doyen and Sawicki. Absent was: Member Grigonis (illness ).
This resolution wad adopted by unanimous vote of all the members
present.
RECEIVED AND FILED BY
THE SOUTHOLD TOWN CT.~.RK
Town Clerk, Town of Southold
GERARD P. GOEH~~N