Thursday, June 7, 2012

May 16, 2012 Unapproved Draft Minutes

Note:  The May 16th meeting of the Varick ZBA was very long and involved many speakers.  I publish these very short draft minutes just to alert the public to the action taken.  We expect the final minutes to be significantly longer.We aim to have official minutes approved by the ZBA in July of 2012.


A Public Hearing before the Town of Varick Zoning Board of Appeals was held on Wednesday May 16, 2012 at 7 PM at the Varick Town Barn on Route 96 in Varick, NY to consider the Application for an Area Variance submitted by Upstate Cellular Network, d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless regarding area setbacks as set forth in the Town of Varick Zoning Code 3.11.3 (F) for the proposed construction of a telecommunications facility, Fayette Relo Cell Site, at the corner of Route 96 and Route 336 on Lot #3-1-34. 


The Varick ZBA decided to approve the requested area variance, with the conditions that the applicant : 1) provide proof of liability insurance in case of an accident involving the site and the nature of that insurance and 2) negotiate in good faith with the owners of neighboring properties regarding an easement that addresses the fact that the proposed tower will be closer to some property lines than the code would otherwise allow.

May 1st Summary Unapproved Mintues

Note:  The May 1 meeting of the Varick ZBA was very long and involved many speakers.  I publish these very short draft minutes just to alert the public to the action taken.  We expect the final minutes to be significantly longer.We aim to have official minutes approved by the ZBA in July of 2012.


Draft Unapproved Minutes from May 1, 2012:
A Public Hearing before the Town of Varick Zoning Board of Appeals was held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 5 PM at the Varick Fire Hall on Route 96A in Varick, NY to consider the Application for an Area Variance submitted by Upstate Cellular Network, d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless regarding area setbacks as set forth in the Town of Varick Zoning Code 3.11.3 (F) for the proposed construction of a telecommunications facility, Fayette Relo Cell Site, at the corner of Route 96 and Route 336. 


The ZBA heard from members of the public and representatives of the applicant and the Town of Varick. Upon motion, the ZBA voted that it should hear the area variance issue associated with this application, despite some controversy over the nature of the referral to the ZBA from the Planning Board and questions about the ZBA's authority over the applicant's use permit details.


The ZBA then heard from members of the public and representatives of the applicant and the Town of Varick.  The applicant described the physical aspects of the proposed use and made its technical experts and engineers available to answer the Board's questions and questions from the public.


The ZBA adjourned with a plan to hear the remaining issues related to the proposed area variance at another meeting, to be held as soon as reasonably possible.