02/21/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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not connect to the existing patio or concrete and the landscaping off to the left-hand side. He understands there are measurement issues, but on the issue of why the steps are there, he would Iike the board to know they tried to rebuild the deck that was there. It was so rotted and probably more dangerous than anything else, they tore it off, started over, and built this deck. The width of the steps is designed according to where the third post is. He referred to the photos. The third post is on the left by the edae of the house. The width was aoverned by the edge of the house. The steps on the right hand side go right up to the edge of the house. On the left-hand side they are governed by the placement of that third post which was pre-existing. The concrete and the post in the photos were pre-existing. There is a small cement pad at the bottom of the steps which was added. Mr. Puzzitiello expressed concern about coming down the steps at night with no light. Mr. Gareau indicated he has been down the steps at night and he does not see it as a problem. He said there are two railings on it. He said the front of the house has windows that don't loan themselves to getting out of the house. He referred to photo "D" and "C" and pointed out the rooms. Mr. Puzzitiello said there are three things wrong with the steps. He said the treads are not the right size, the width is not the right size and the height is not right. Mr. Conway said they look nice and the top looks good but they have a problem with the steps. Mr. Puzzitiello said they could be rebuilt without doing too much damage to anything else. Chairman Puzzitiello said the steps are all right where they are but they should be 36". He could adjust the height without a problem as well. Mr. Gareau said 36" wide would put it into the side yard. It would be hemmed in with a post on one side and it would exceed the edge of the house. Mr. Puzzitiello said it looks like he has space between the stairs and the end of the house. Mr. Conway said there is space and even if he had to put an additional post up on the side, he could do it. Mr. Gareau asked if that would require a side yard variance. Mr. Puzzitiello said it would not. 1VIr. Rymarczyk said he would have to confirm that. He does not believe one would be. Mr. Klesta asked about the scale drawing and wondered if it was for the patio or if it was for an addition. Mr. Gareau approached the board members and reviewed the drawing. Mr. Althen asked if he got a permit for the deck itself. Mr. Gareau said he applied for a permit after the deck had been built. He spoke with the building department about it and they were aware of the situation. He informed the board that he did not render the drawing they have. He did do a free-hand slcetch that shows the rough design. Mr. Althen aslced if it was drawn after the deck was constructed or if it was done to get the pennit. Mr. Gareau indicated it was done to get the permit. He found out after the fact there was a problem. It wasn't designed with the intent of doing it in violation. Mr. Conway asked if it was an afterthought to do the steps or if they were originally included in the plan. Mr. Gareau said it was debated but then deterinined they could not put steps to the left based on the location of the window. He referred to the picture labeled "A" and "E" and said there is a raised wall, a retaining wall there made out of ties so there really wasn't anywhere to put thein unless you brought them out and parked them out in the middle of the grass and then reconfigured the landscaping and walkway. He said he really didn't want to get into that since he was really going to use it as a means of egress. Mr. Puzzitiello asked for a motion. Mr. Althen said they need to be replaced mainly because of the different heights and rises. He said it looks like a ladder and not a set of steps. Mr. Klesta indicated he would abstain in the voting since he is a neighbor to Mr. Gareau. Mr. Gareau said he is at a point where he would probably remove the steps altogether and he doesn't tlunk he would rebuild them. The idea of moving it around and reconfiguring the steps makes him lean toward removing them altogether until a later date. He said if he modified the rise it would probably put the steps out at another 3-4 feet. Mr. Conway said all he would have to do is widen them to 36". Mr. Klesta said there is a 3 1/2" rise on the bottom and if he compensated that with the 8 3/4" and the 9" rises all the way up, he could come close to a 7, 7 1/4" perfect rise. Mr. Gareau asked what he would have to do with respect to the width of the step. Mr. Puzzitiello said