MINUTES OF THE BETHANY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS SPECIAL

MEETING OF MONDAY, JU

 

The Special Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.

 

The following Board Members were present:

Shirley Lasch-Gobilirsch, Chair

Thomas Magda, Vice-Chairman

Thomas Mabry, Member/Secretary

Nick Poulmas, Member

Rob Huxley, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member

April Stirling, Alternate Member

Mark Stricker, Alternate Member

 

The following Board Member was absent:

            Margaret Foley, Member

 

Also present was:  Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer

                               Kevin McSherry, Town Attorney

  

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

1.      It was moved by Mabry and seconded by Magda to nominate Shirley Lasch-Gobilirsch as Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Unanimous approval.

 

2.      It was moved by Huxley and seconded by Mabry to close nominations and elect Shirley Lasch-Gobilirsch as Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Unanimous approval.

 

3.      It was moved by Huxley and seconded by Poulmas to nominate Thomas Magda as Vice-Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Unanimous approval.

 

4.      It was moved by Huxley and seconded by Poulmas to close nominations and elect Thomas Magda as Vice-Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Unanimous approval.

 

5.      It was moved by Huxley and seconded by Poulmas to nominate Thomas Mabry as Secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Unanimous approval.

 

6.      It was moved by Huxley and seconded by Poulmas to close nominations and elect Thomas Mabry as Secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

MINUTES

 

It was moved by Poulmas and seconded by Huxley to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the May 8, 2017, Regular Meeting.

Voting for:  Lasch-Gobilirsch, Mabry, Poulmas, Huxley.

Abstained was:  Magda

Unanimous approval.

 

 

BILL

 

It was moved by Magda and seconded by Mabry to approve the payment of a bill for $125.00, dated July 31, 2017, from Anne Sohon for recording services for the public hearing (300 Bear Hill Road, Hinman Station).

Voting for:  Lasch-Gobilirsch, Magda, Mabry, Poulmas, Huxley.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:

A.      Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter, Spring 2017.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING – 300 BEAR HILL ROAD – HINMAN STATION

 

At 7:10 p.m., Chair Lasch-Gobilirsch opened the public hearing in regard to the application submitted by Bethany Volunteer Fire Department for property located at 300 Bear Hill Road – Hinman Station seeking a variance of Section 22.7.A of the Bethany zoning Regulations for a 10-foot variance of the maximum height requirement for a monopole tower to allow a 110-foot monopole radio antenna tower.

 

Roll call was taken.  Chair Lasch-Gobilirsch read the legal notice for the public hearing.                . 

It was noted that all members visited the subject property.

 

Chair Lasch-Gobilirsch noted that the Board received the following items relative to the subject application.  Exhibit identification was assigned as noted:

1)      Exhibit 1A –  Legal notice that was published in the New Haven Register on July 20, 2017 and July 27, 2017.

2)      Exhibit 1B – Certificate of mailing to surrounding property owners within 100 feet notifying them of proposed application, dated July 13, 2017.

3)      Exhibit 1C – Application and all materials submitted with the application on July 11, 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

Present for this application was John Paul Garcia, P.E./L.S. representing the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.  Also present to speak was Bob McSherry, Past Chief for the Fire Department.

 

Mr. Garcia noted in discussion the following:

·         Going through the Town of Bethany to upgrade radio coverage for safety.

·         Existing monopole at Hinman Station only 50 feet tall.

·         There will be a new foundation and a new building.

·         Designer of proposed tower recommended this design and where it should be installed to function properly.

·         This is a life safety issue.

 

Chair Lasch-Gobilirsch asked if anyone from the public would like to speak in favor of the application.   The following individuals spoke:

·         Clark Hurlburt of 176 Beacon Road, Bethany – Mr. Hurlburt stated he is representing the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance and that both Boards consent to this vital proposal.

·         Bob McSherry, Past Fire Chief of 12 Olde Country Road, Woodbridge – Mr. McSherry stated researched various heights and locations for this tower and this location is the best one.  A monopole tower is barely noticeable.  The 10’ by 10’ building will be surrounded by arborvitaes.  Would like to keep a good relationship with the neighbors.

·         Ken Young of 285 Bear Hill Road, Bethany – Mr. Young stated he is a big fan of the fire station and lives across the street.  He had a question on health concerns and a question on the durability of the tower.  He stated he fully supports the project.

·         Gary MacNamara of 287 Bear Hill Road, Bethany – Mr. MacNamara stated he fully supports this much needed radio tower.

 

Chair Lasch-Gobilirsch asked if anyone from the public would like to speak in opposition of the application.   There were no comments.

                                              .

Some items noted by Board members were:

·         This location will be for both transmitting and receiving.

·         Time frame of this project will be approximately up and running in November.

 

At 7:20 p.m., it was moved by Magda and seconded by Huxley to close the public hearing.                          

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELIBERATION AND DECISION MAKING SESSION

 

300 Bear Hill Road – Hinman Station

 

Board members discussed the application and proceeded to deliberate.

 

It was moved by Magda and seconded by Huxley that the Bethany Zoning Board of Appeals grants the application of the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department for the property located at 300 Bear Hill Road/Hinman Fire Station as shown on Assessor’s Map #107, Lot 1B for a variance of Section 22.7.A. of the Bethany Zoning Regulations for a 10-foot variance of the maximum height requirement for a monopole tower to allow a 110-foot monopole radio antenna tower.

 

Based upon the evidence presented at the public hearing and the facts revealed by the Board’s general acquaintance with the Town and with the general locality of the subject property, the Board makes the following findings:

1)      In granting the variance, substantial justice will be done, and the public safety and welfare will be secured.

Voting for:  Lasch-Gobilirsch, Magda, Mabry, Poulmas, Huxley.

Vote 5 in favor to 0.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Poulmas and seconded by Huxley to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:31 p.m.  Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

For the Zoning Board of Appeals

LY 31, 2017                                         Page 1 of 4