07-13-1977
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BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
PUBLIC HEARING (JAMES CAMERON)
JULY 13, 1977
Chairman Millard called the Public Hearing of the Board
of Adjustments to order at 7:35 P.M. in the Community
Center.
ROLL CALL
Mr. Millard
Mr. Fenske
Mr. Astings
Mr. Poland
Mr. Lupinek
Present
Present
Present
Present
Excused
Chairman Millard asked the secretary if all the required
people been notified of the hearing. She stated that they
had. He went on to ask if all the advertising had been
made. She stated that it has.
Chairman Millard had all the members of the Board to
introduce themselves.
Chairman Millard stated that he lives on Riverside Drive
Mr. Fenske stated that he lives on Rhode Island
Mr. Astings stated that he lives in Florida Shores
Mr. Lupinek was not present Chairman Millard stated that
he lives in the area that Mr. Astings lives.
Mr. Poland stated that he lives in Edgewater Heights.
Chairman Millard explained the rules of the Board of
Adjustments. to all the people that were present.
Chairman Millard stated that there is an applicant who has
applied for a permit. He went on to say that the Board
of Adjustments does not get into anything until that permit
has been denied. When this happens the applicant makes
an appeal to the Board of Adjustments. He presents his
reasons why he thinks we should grant a variance.
Chairman Millard asked the applicant Mr. Cameron to present
his request for a variance.
Mr. Charles Hall began to give the presentation. At this
time Chairman Millard asked to hear from Mr. Cameron.
Mr. James Cameron introduced himself. Chairman Millard
stated that we have here your application for your var-
iance. He went on to say that on page two it says that
you duly sworn to declare that all statements and documents
herein and herewith compose a complete and factual application.
It is our practice that anyone who is speaking to this
board will be sworn in.
Chairman Millard asked Mr. Cameron and Mr. Hall to take
the oath. Mr. Hall asked Chairman Millard who did he
think down here was authorized to administer an oath.
Chairman Millard stated that he was authorized, the
Chairman of the Board of Adjustments is authorized under
Ordinance 880. Mr. Hall stated alright lets go. Chairman
Millard went on to administer the oath to Mr. Cameron and
Mr. Hall.
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Mr. Hall began the presentation. He stated that Mr. Cameron
proposes to develop a strip of land on Riverside Drive, He wants
to make stx lots and have a private road that would give the City
whatever access they would n~ed for furnishing wate~,sewer1gas?
and electric. AlsQ police and ftre protectiQn.
Mr. Hall went on to explain the width of these lots on Riverside Drive
are 95.33 feet and 95.34 feet with the requested driveway they would
be less then the required footage" on the other hand they will both
exceed the depth they each go over 140 feet.
Chairman Millard stated that he would like to know the history of
the ownership of this land. He asked when did Mr. Cameron acquire
this land.
Mr. Cameron stated that there are two seperate parcels one lot
was bought approx. two years ago this being the Rogers estate
Chairman Millard asked him if he had the date and the year. Mr.
Carmeron stated that he did not know it was approx. two years ago.
The other was purchased a month or so ago from the Morrisons.
Chairman Millard asked if they were orignally platted as building
lots. Mr. Cameron stated no that they were not.
At this time Chairman Millard asked if there were any question
from the audience on the way these lots were laid out on the map.
Mr. John Wharton of 1531 S. Riverside Drive was recognized.
Chairmam Millard asked Mr. Wharton to take the oath. His
question was not heard on the tape.
Mr. Leo Grazide of 1705 S. Riverside Drive stated that Mr. Cameron
had purchased the Rogers property on March 11, 1975 it was recorded
in book 1769 page 1997. Chairman Millard asked if he had the other
date. Mr. Grazide stated that he did not. Mr. Cameron stated that
it was purchased approximately May of this year.
Chairman Millard stated that you are about to give us some information
would you do it under oath. Mr. Grazide stated that he would.
Mr. Grazide stated that he has lived in the area for approximately
5 years and he knew Mrs. Rogers before she passed away. Mrs. Rogers
told him that she owned that p~ece of land and not beyond it. he
wanted to know how the rest of the land was permitted to be
filled and where the permits were gotten from. Mr. Hall stated
that this land had been surveyed by Danial Cory a registered
surveyor.
There was a question if any filling had been done. Mr. Cameron
stated that there had been some filling done on the land. There
was no filling done on the submerged land.
Mr. Poland asked if there had been any dirt dumped into the water.
Mr. Cameron stated that it has not. This was discussed at length.
there were also a few comments for the audience.
Mrs. Grazide of 1705 S. Riverside Drive stated that she had seen
this man fill in submerged land. She told of the time that a truck
got stuck in the muck.
Mrs. Morgan of 208 Virgina Street, was given the oath. She stated
that she talked to a man from the Enviormental office and told her
that there was filling going on. Chairman Millard askedif she knew
this mans name. She stated she did not know. Chairman Millard asked
when did this take place. Mrs. Morgan stated that it was in the
middle of May.
Mr. Cameron asked Mrs. Morgan to repeat what she said. She told
Mr. Cameron that this man told her that you filled in fill in the
water.
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Mr. Poland stated that if the government is so reluctant in granting
permits to fill in submerged land and if that is the fact in this
case I would say that we are granting a variance to build on this
same property, then perhaps it is not legal as far as federal
or state government is concerned he might be required to remove the
fill.
Mr. Cameron stated th~t he did improve the land up and not the
submerged land. He went on to say that the land was swampy and
he filled and graded it to improve it.
Mrs. W.J. Butler on Parkwood Lane was recognized, she took the oath.
She stated that she did see a truck get stuck.
Chairman Millard stated th~t he felt that the board should go back
down to the property and look it over again.
Mr. Grazide asked if Mr. Cameron had a deed to this property out
to the waters edge, if so he would like to see it. Chairman Millard
stated that he was not in the position to do this,
Mr. Hall asked where did Mr. Grazide 1 ive,
him on the map.
Mr. Poland read from the Zoning Ordtnancein the R-l-A requirements.
There was some discussion on this. There was also some discussion
on the map.
Mr. Grazide showed
Mr. Poland stated that the City has gotten into problems over these
private easements. He went on to ask about a dedicated road.
~r. Hall stated that this would require more width. The road would
have to be dedicated to the City and be approved by the City Attorney.
Mr. Poland asked what would be the area of the lots not counting
the easement. Mr. Hall stated that on some of the lots it would be
approximately 85 x 140. Mr. Poland stated that his paper says
132. Mr. Hall stood to be corrected. He went on to say that it
should be close to 1,200 feet or close to it.
Mr. Astings asked about the turning point on this road. The
question also came up is there enough room for a full size car to
turn around. They all agreed that it was not large enough.
Chairman Millard asked Mr. Cameron if he owned other property in the
City. Mr. Cameron stated that he did. Chairman Millard went on
to say that Mr. Cameron bought these two parcels with his eyes
opened knowing that they did not meet the R-l-A requirements.
Chairman Millard asked is there some way that you can establish
inspite of that fact that yours is an unnecessary hardship not
caused by your own actions. Mr. Hall stated that he was not sure
he can.ft is a hardship that other people have lots that are less
then what he proposes, and they are allowed to use these lots for
building purposes.
Chairman Millard stated that there is nothing wrong with you trying
to get as many houses as you can on your property. However we are
carrying out the ordtnance. It is true that other lots in the area
do not meet the R-l-A requirments however there is always hardship
when zoning is established.
Chairman Millard went on to say that if they could cut down on
the number of houses then you could keep the R-l-A Requirements.
He also suggest that they could move the road. He also stated that
he is just making suggestions.
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Chairman Millard stated that the problem that we are having here
is that Mr. Cameron does not have enough width., he does have the
depth and almost the area.
Chairman Millard stated that he will go ahead and have the vote.
Mr. Cameron stated that this will be an asset to the community.
Mr. Poland stated that there are several things that have to be
looked at here.I~ thi~ ordinance itcomes out very strongly against
the creation of non-conforming lots and if you just count the acess
roads through the center that lots are at least non-conforming you
can1t meet the set backs the way that you have it diagram the fact
that you intend to build $50,000.00 homes is not really germane:~
to this board. It appears that you have create a hardshtp of your
own creation.
Mr.Cameron stated that he did go to the Zoning Board and they did
accept the plan as shown. They made a recommendation to the City
Council and the City Council referred it to the Board of Adjustments,
Mr. Hall stated that the board should go ahead and take action.
Chairman Millard asked the audience if there were any more questions.
Rod Brochard asked Mr. poland if he had a father that owned property
down there. Mr. poland stated that he did. Chairman Millard
stated t~~t we were aware of this and we have not voted yet.
Mrs. Murphy asked if she understood that Mr. Cameron took this to
the zoning board and they did approve it. Chairman Millard stated
that this was correct.
Leo Grazide asked if the Zoning Board approved this. Chairman
Millard stated that they had seen the plans and they did not see
anything wrong with the plans, They had no zoning objections.
Mr. Denton stated that he was at that Zoning Board meeting and he
does not rember a vote of approval. Chairman Millard stated that
he will check into this.
Tf there are no more comments from the members of the board.
Chairman Millard stated that we will take a vote,
Chairman Millard asked Mrs. Wadsworth to call the roll.
Mr. Millard, votes no for the reason that you do not have the width
you have got the yards, you have not got the wide road that is
required.
Mr. Fenske, voted no the same objections.
Mr. Astings,voted no the same objections.
Mr. Poland abstained.
Chairman Millard stated that we will write a letter to the Council
explaining what we did and why we did it and what our vote was.
Then the City COuncil can vote and then you will have a chance
to appeal it.
Chairman Millard thank~d~ everyone for their corporation.
ADJOURN.