Town of Gray
Zoning Board of Appeals
Minutes
The Board of Appeals for the Town of Gray will meet on
May 28, 2008
at Stimson Hall at 7:00 p.m.
to act on the following variance requests, in accordance with the Town of Gray Zoning Ordinance as adopted and as amended to October 5, 1999.
Present: Barry Watson, Debbie Flanigan, Kathy Wood, Vincent Palange, Kyle Coolidge
Others present and speaking: Doug Webster, Ron Gobeil, Dennis Davis, Andy Upham
Approval of Minutes
April 23, 2008 Minutes
Kathy Wood moved; Debbie Flanigan seconded
Motion to accept the April 23, 2008 Zoning Board of Appeals minutes as written
3 Yes
Tabled Business
Ron Gobeil, representing Gobeil Furniture Galleries, 235 Portland Road, Gray, Maine, Map 36, Lot 2, Zoned Commercial is requesting a sign ordinance variance from the 24 square foot standard to place an applied sign with 32 sq. feet of letter area and a total area of 56 square feet.
Ron Gobeil indicated that while the size was not originally proposed, he requested that the board approve the variance. Barry Watson stated that he has seen the sign and did not have any problems with it and believes it looks appropriate.
Kathy Wood moved; Debbie Flanigan seconded.
We, the Zoning Board of Appeals hereby grants to: Ron Gobeil, representing Gobeil Furniture Galleries, 235 Portland Road, Gray, Maine, Map 36, Lot 2, Zoned Commercial is requesting a sign ordinance variance from the 24 square foot standard to place an applied sign with 32 sq. feet of letter area and a total area of 56 square feet.
5 Yes
John and Sue Meade, 35 Arundel Road, Gray, Maine, Tax Map 12, Lot 34, Zoned Lake District have file an administrative appeal of the Code Enforcement Officers revocation of Building Permit #07-219 and resulting Stop Work Order.
Barry Watson asked that this motion be tabled. Doug Webster indicated that they had received a communication from them.
Kathy Wood moved; Barry Watson seconded.
Motion to continue to table this item
5 Yes
New Business
Dennis & Belinda Davis, 1 Marie Street, Map C02, Lot 49, Zoned LD are requesting a 17 foot reduction of a 50 foot rear setback to construct a sun porch addition.
Dennis Davis indicated that the addition will be within the setbacks. Barry Watson commented that the patio is closer to the sidelines in comparison to what the proposed sun porch addition.
Barry Watson indicated that their role is to see that the code enforcement officer is doing his job by bringing these items to the board. Dennis Davis indicated that Doug Webster was helpful in the paperwork. Doug Webster did not have any problems with the proposal and leaves the decision to the Zoning Board.
Debbie Flanigan asked about the “2 fronts.” Doug commented on Ordinance 402.10 A and this property falls under this portion.
Kathy Wood moved; Debbie Flanigan seconded
We, the Zoning Board of Appeals hereby grants to: Dennis & Belinda Davis, 1 Marie Street, Map C02, Lot 49, Zoned LD are requesting a 17 foot reduction of a 50 foot rear setback to construct a sun porch addition.
5 Yes
Workshop to review proposed changes of Zoning Ordinance 402 and Subdivision 401.
Barry Watson indicated that he would like the group to discuss the business sign variance. He believes that there should be changes to make it easier and the businesses don’t have to come before this board for the sign changes in the future.
Kyle Coolidge said that he attended the council workshop on the ordinance changes. He believes that the proposed changes are appropriate. He indicated that there are some council concerns. One was fire protection in subdivisions. He indicated that the council would like the Zoning Board of Appeals to have a workshop and discuss the issues and give their comments and put them together.
Barry Watson believes that 401 is more for the Planning Board.
Doug Webster stated that the council requests that they review 401 and 402 and that later there may be work on the Sign Ordinance.
Councilor Upham reviewed the workshop and the tasks that the Zoning Board of Appeals needs to do to meet the June 17th deadline. 402’s work is to make it more consistent with the rewrite of 401. He indicated that this board’s role is interpretation, therefore, he believes their input on this is important.
Kathy Wood asked about the monumentation issue for a subdivision and if it is included in the rewrite. Developments have been done without proper monumentation in the past.
Doug Webster indicated that the goal in the changes is to have more accountability and a good paper trail. Doug stated that there are questions as to the letter should be from.
Kathy Wood gave an overview of what is customarily done. Kyle Coolidge suggested a workshop for the group to give this group more time to prepare their comments.
Kathy Wood stated that there needs to be a public notice for the workshop. The date for the workshop is Wednesday, June 11th, 6:30pm, downstairs in Stimson Hall.
There were a few questions about the fire suppression portion in 401. Councilor Upham gave an overview of this section. He questions the issue of water access for the fire department. He discussed the issue of a cistern or other water source if public water is not available. He is not comfortable mandating sprinklers in a home since it does not satisfy the needs of water access to fight a fire. He gave an overview of the fire suppression options and there was a discussion of the process.
Kathy wood moved; Barry Watson seconded.
Motion to adjourn the meeting.
5 Yes
The meeting ended at 7:40pm
All Motions in the Affirmative
Suggested Motion
We the Gray Zoning Board of Appeals hereby grants to:
If denied give reasons for denial
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