Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) appointed Donald Spirlet as its new Chair and re-appointed Davis Sullivan as Vice-Chair when it met June 12 on the occasion of veteran member David Arancio’s last time as Chair.
Arancio has been ZBA Chair for 11 years. Spirlet has been a zoning panel member for 10 years, Sullivan a member for 22 years. But their nominations did not come quickly. First, veteran member Richard Cutler declined the nomination for Chair, saying he has one year to go on his current term “and then I’m out here.” Sullivan said the same when offered the Chair position, saying he also intends to exit the board after his own term is up. Spirlet said he would accept the nomination as Chair so long as no one else on the panel wanted it.
The votes approving Spirlet and Sullivan for their new roles came after Cutler noted the problem is that many members have been on the board for a long time “and that can’t be sustainable.” Arancio agreed. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the board,” he said. “But it needs new blood and energy.”
The board began the meeting by approving a variance to permit a 62×38-foot, 1,500-square-foot steel accessory structure on a six-acre residential lot at 364 Neck Road. Applicant and homeowner John Verentes said he needs the additional building because he fixes his own cars. He needs a car lift and storage for his equipment and tools and possibly a boat to avoid the expense of paying for storage and outside car repair. To that end, he is requesting a variance from the requirement that an accessory building be no larger than 1,000 square feet.
The hearing’s only query came from neighbor Brian Porter of 369 Neck Road. He wanted to know the pitch of the new structure’s roof. “He’s a good, quiet neighbor,” Porter said. “I’m just curious.”
The resulting approval vote included the following conditions: that no farm animals be housed, no commercial use, no second floor and no housing use without the board’s prior approval.
In other action, board Administrative Assistant Andreia Lacerda reported no new petitions have been filed for the board’s review. As a result, pending any last-minute submissions, there will be no regular meetings on June 26 and July 20.
Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals
By Michael J. DeCicco