March 10, 2008
The meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) was called to order by President Pro Tem Boddie at 6:05 PM at the Village Hall.
ROLL CALL Present: Trustees Al-Awar, Boddie, Bogat, Butterwick, Langford, Lindstrom, MacKrell and Wilkes. Absent: Trustee Laporte.
Others attending: Atty. Reading, ZPA Perry, Asst. Treas. Redies, Supt. Esch, BHMC President Bultman, Mr. McFarland (representing Edwards) and two observers.
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE 304 Juniper Lane
Mr. Perry referred to the application received from Samuel Edwards, 304 Juniper Lane, for installation of a natural gas generator, noting that BZA members had received copies of the application, site plan and generator specifications. There are no zoning issues with the installation itself except that it intrudes a small distance into the side set back and thus requires a variance. Regarding the noise level, the product specifications indicate that at a distance of 23 feet the generator produces about 60 decibels in test mode and 66 decibels at load. Mr. Perry distributed charts describing general decibel levels for comparison. It was noted that decibel measures rise and fall logarithmically (i.e. 66 is twice as loud as 60) and that the noise level could only be estimated until the generator is actually installed on site. The neighbors directly next door (301 Barton Shore Drive) also have a generator; their house is about 35 feet from the property line so a total of about 58 feet from the proposed installation. Neighbors to the south on Juniper Lane will probably not hear much of the generator’s noise. The location of the generator is based on proximity to the electric connection. It was suggested that a landscape screen be required; Mr. Bultman noted that vegetation would add visual screening but it is not true that vegetation dampens sound. Mr. McFarland added that Mr. Edwards could not be contacted for six weeks so addition of a landscape element would delay completion of the project. Mr. Perry reminded the Board of the need to acknowledge some level of unnecessary hardship that would warrant granting of the variance. No comments regarding the application have been received.
Motion Mr. Al-Awar moved that the application for variance to install a generator within the side set back submitted by Samuel Edwards, 304 Juniper Lane, be approved with the condition that evergreen landscaping be added to provide screening on the side(s) facing the home at 301 Barton Shore Drive. Mr. Butterwick seconded; the motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. MacKrell moved that the minutes of the December 10, 2007 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting be approved as printed. Mrs. Langford seconded; the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS None.
Mrs. MacKrell moved the meeting be adjourned at 6:17 PM. Mrs. Langford seconded; the motion carried.
Janice K. Esch, Deputy Clerk Approved 5/20/08