Government

Renovation of Century-Old Barn Planned for West Road

By |

A West Road homeowner is seeking permissions from the town in order to pursue a building project that would see the foundation replaced on a century-old barn and the structure itself re-roofed, re-insulated and expanded. The interior of the 1.5-story barn that sits near the southern property line at 416 West Road is to be redone with a bathroom and bar on the first floor, and a loft in the upper story, documents show. “Granting the requested variances will not adversely impact any adjacent properties and will remain in harmony with the intent of the regulations,” attorney Christopher Bristol of Greenwich-based Gilbride, Tusa, Last & Spellane LLC said in an application filed on behalf of property owner 416 West Road LLC. The company’s principal is John Almeida Jr., according to records on file with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. The 3.4-acre property includes a 1946-built Colonial and was purchased in May for $2,535,000, tax records show.

Government

‘It’s Not Even a Close Call’: ZBA Unanimously Denies Oenoke Ridge Road Neighbor’s Appeal

By |

Saying a New Canaan couple has misinterpreted and incorrectly applied both local ordinances and state laws, town officials last week unanimously rejected an appeal that would have forced their next-door neighbor to apply for a special permit. The activities at 757 Oenoke Ridge Road do not rise to the level of farming as defined by the Connecticut General Statutes, and in any case the parcel likely is grandfathered since applicable town regulations came after the family that lives and enjoys their property there now have done so since before their adoption, members of the Zoning Board of Appeals said during their regular meeting. The ZBA voted 5-0 to deny an appeal brought by Peter and Kathy Streinger, of 785 Oenoke Ridge Road. “To me, it’s not even a close call,” board member Angelo Ziotas said at the Nov. 7 meeting, held at Town Hall.

Government

‘The Answer To That Is Emphatically, No’: Town Planner Finds That Oenoke Ridge Road Homeowner Is Not Operating a Farm

By |

The Oenoke Ridge Road homeowner whose property is the subject of a neighbor’s zoning appeal is, in fact, not a farm under the state’s definition of the term, according to New Canaan’s advising town planner. Though the McQuilkins of 757 Oenoke Ridge Road keep egg-laying chickens and fur-bearing alpacas, they’re not taking those commodities to market for direct sale, Steve Kleppin said in a memo issued ahead of Monday night’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. The ZBA is expected to discuss an appeal brought by the McQuilkins’ neighbors, Peter and Kathy Streinger, who argue that the keeping of animals and equipment rises to the legal definition of ‘farming’ and requires a special permit. In his advisory comments sent ahead of Monday’s meeting to the ZBA, Board of Selectmen and town attorney, Kleppin notes that “the McQuilkins have on occasion sold eggs from a farm stand on Oenoke Ridge as indicated in the photographs provided.”

“I have instructed the McQuilkins that the sale of or bartering of eggs or other products, whether sold on the property or elsewhere, would constitute farming and require a special permit. They have agreed that they would not sell or barter items produced on the property and would seek a special permit should they decide to do that.

Government

Oenoke Ridge Road Neighbor Files New Appeal Claiming Violations of Town Code, Zoning Regulations

By |

Three months after town officials unanimously rejected one appeal from an Oenoke Ridge Road couple that centered on the way their neighbor used an accessory structure, they’re seeking to force that same neighbor to apply for a special permit for what they deem to be “farming activities.”

Peter and Kathy Streinger of 785 Oenoke Ridge Road said in a new appeal that their neighbor to the west keeps animals (chickens, alpacas and recently, a rooster) in a way that rises to the definition of “farming” under local and state laws and “materially impacts the property values” of surrounding homes. The Streingers said they’re appealing “erroneous interpretations and decisions” by the town and want their neighbor to put in for a special permit in order to continue activities on the property. The Streingers’ property is 4.32 acres, tax records show, their neighbors’ is 4 acres. Specifically, the Streingers take issue in their appeal—it’s available here, in the dropdown menu—with the town’s finding that their neighbor is keeping animals in a way that is consistent with town regulations. Under the New Canaan Zoning Regulations (see page 46 here), residents may keep animals in accordance with the provisions outlined in Chapter 6 of the Town Code—a section that limits potential problems such as noisy or roaming animals, and seeks to preserve public health.

Government

Proposed Garage Addition on Church Street Prompts Concerns About Drainage, Runoff from Neighbors

By |

Neighbors of a Church Street homeowner are seeking assurances from the town that plans to build an addition next-door will not lead to new drainage and runoff problems for them. Plans for the half-acre property at 41 Church St.—site of a 1900-built Colonial that’s seen extensive interior renovations in the past two years and sold in March for $2 million—call for the razing of an existing, freestanding garage and creation of a new one. At less than three feet from the eastern property line, the existing garage “not only doesn’t meet the setbacks but it is 45 feet from the house with a steep grade approximately 10 feet below the house entrance doorway, and a stairway of 14 steps leading up to the house is subjected to hazardous weather conditions,” according to a letter on behalf of the homeowner from architect Pat Pulitano of Greenwich. “The owners would like to remove the existing garage and rebuild a new two-car garage attached to the house. Presently the existing side entrance convenient to the kitchen/family would be the closest enclosed connection from the proposed garage and between a large existing bay window which offers a strategic view to the rear yard children’s play area and allows much needed daylight into the large kitchen/family room.”

Variances are needed to exceed allowable coverage as well as to encroach (by about eight feet) into the required 25-foot rear yard setback in the B Residential zone (see pages 57 and 58 of the New Canaan Zoning Regulations here).