HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.08.02 BOA Minutes Fresh Start - 416 Hammond Street - HearingBoard of Appeals
Minutes
For Meeting Held on August 2, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Members Present:Robert Ballingall, Jordan LaBouff, Edward Gould (Chair), Robin Perkins, and Rachel Thompson, and Susan Deane
Staff Present:David Szewczyk, City Solicitor, and Jeff Wallace, Director of Code Enforcement
Introductions:
Chair Gould opened the hearing and introduced members.
Approval of Minutes:
January 19, 2023:
Member Perkinsmade a motion to approve the meeting minutes.
Member LaBouff seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
January 25, 2023:
Member Perkins made a motion to approve the meeting minutes.
Member LaBouff seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearing -Request for Reasonable Accommodation Under the federal Fair Housing Act from the requirement of §165-13(B), which limits the number of unrelated people living at the
property to five - Fresh Start, Inc. (416 Hammond Street):
Scott Pardy spoke as the applicant and owner of Fresh Start, Inc. and presented his request for variance.
Board of Appeals Members asked questions.
Michael Beck (216 Third Street), Boyd Kronholm, Executive Director of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter (owner of the property located at 416 Hammond Street), Amy Roeder via Zoom (46
Blackstone Street), and Mike Tuller via Zoom (253 Maple Street) spoke in favor of the applicant’s application.
Steven Cormier (409 Hammond Street) expressed concerns and Steven Leavitt (204 West Broadway) had questions regarding the application and were in opposition to the request.
Scott Pardy addressed the concerns and questions of Mr. Cormier and Mr. Leavitt.
City of Bangor Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Wallace presented the City of Bangor’s position and supported the granting of the reasonable accommodation request. He confirmed the location
was zoned as URD-1 for a single-family home, and the property met the city’s minimum space and parking requirements. He noted that the building had a 1,600 square-foot footprint,with
4,800 square feet in total. Wallace also testified that the variance requested would only apply to the applicant Fresh Start and not future occupants if Fresh Start were no longer at
the location.
Public Hearing was closed.
Board of Appeals deliberated on the matter.
Chair Gould directed Associate Member Deane to vote on the application since the Board was short one regular member.
Board voted on reasonable accommodation:
Member LaBouff made a motion to approve the variance from five up to 11 unrelated individuals on grounds that it is a reasonable and necessary accommodation to afford handicapped persons
equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing under the federal Fair Housing Act.Member Perkins seconded the motion.Motion passed unanimously to grant the requested variance.
Other business:
Chair Gould suggested Member Perkins chair the upcoming August 9th Findings of Fact meeting in his absence.
Meeting adjourned:
Member Perkins made a motion to Adjourn.
Member LaBouff seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously to adjourn.