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1].Can a citizen begin building in the village without the plans being forma!Jy·exa:i;nined and approved? • ' . . . . . . ... ' .. ' . ' 2] If this atea of the·proposed driveway is a "paper street"·then it'is village ptoperty I · assume. Can a private owner pave village propertY and then call it' a driveway? . . .
3]Jf it is a street then who else will it serve? Will the village extend Buckley Alley to Ambrose St. or will it stop at the entrance of one garage and only be for the convenience of that one property owner?4] Ifthe village is contemplating selling and deeding that parcel then why haven't other property owners who have a vested interest been given that opportunity as well? 5] It is my understanding that the owner/builder is currently or has been a trustee and has, additionally, at some point, been a member of the planning board. Obviously he lmows the rules and procedures. Has there been or will there be an exception made for this person? Ifso, why? To design the home in such a way that the driveway will impact adjoining properties, without prior approval or notification to or input from neighboring owners, suggests to me ·that this owner is confident that approval for HIS project is just a necessary formality i.e. a foregone conclusion. 6] Final question: Why was this house designed in such a convoluted way when there could have been direct, non-controversial access to W. Washington St.? Isn't the entire point of having plans approved BEFORE construction begins, to address possible issues during a review process and to seek input from adjoining property owners who may be hanned, as is the case here?
Iam a rule follower. Ido not enjoy controversy in the slightest. But the way this has evolved 'is certainly diturbing.
Sackets is a wonderful community and I respect and applaud all who serve in decision malcing capacities. It is surely a tedious, thanldess job at times. But the decision whether or not to approve this project, which is well underway, must be based on the same rules that apply to ALL persons who would seek to build here regardless of who they are.
September 8,2017 RECEIVED VILLAGE OF SEP 0 8 2017 SACl<F..TS 11/\RB<'R
To Mayor Battista and Members of the Sackets Harbor Village Board,
I am writing this letter in support of James and Mandy Bray's application to improve and use Buckley Alley. My family would also like to access the rear of our property at 207 W. Washington St. through the alley.
Sincerely,
Ivan Mart
Diana and Donald Woodhouse
Mayor Vincent Battista Board of Trustees Village of Sackets Harbor 201 Bayard St. Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 September 11, 2017
RE: NOTICE OF OBJECTION TO CONVERSION OF EASEMENT TO PERSONAL USE Dear Mayor Battista and the Trustees of the Village of Sackets Harbor:
This letter is notice that, as immediately adjoining property owners, we vehemently oppose converting the easement adjacent to and across our property at 201 Bayard Street for the continual personal use of a newly constructed, single household on West Washington Street. Our objection Is based on multiple factors, not least of which are the significant detrimental effect this action will have on the value of our property, interference with the peaceable enjoyment of our property, and the·impact on other adjoiners and the Bayard Street neighborhood as a whole. These factors are:
(1) Inappropriate Use: This is an inappropriate use of a public easement for personal use. Creating a private driveway subject to continual,year-round use, for the benefit of a one (and only one) homeowner at the expense of adjacent property owners and village taxpayers, violates the spirit and purpose of the easement. (2) Interference with the peaceable en joyment of our property: The proposed driveway would pass very close to of our bedrooms, our patio, and directly along our yard and that of the other adjoining property owners (Linda and Joe McMahon). In addition to personal vehicles, we anticipate that Mr. Bray, a building contractor, will drive and park trucks and construction vehicles in this area. (3) Economic Harm: If approved, this conversion wlll fundamentally alter the visual appeal and measurably reduce the resale value (if not the general salability) of our property and also that of the neighboring townhomes (pegged to comparable value or "comps"). Beyond interfering with the peaceful enjoyment of our home and property, this action has very real and significant negative financial consequences to us and to our neighbors on Bayard and Washington Streets. (4) Environmental Harm: The proposed private driveway is proximal to a storm water drainage basin and other water and sewer infrastructure. In light of the increasingly frequent and intense weather events the Village is already experiencing, grading, paving (or otherwise surfacing) the driveway and altering the landscape to accommodate this use poses potential environmental risks which, to our knowledge, have not been evaluated or considered. (5) Public Safety: The required access is very close to a fire hydrant on Bayard Street. It has not been evaluated how this conversion would affect access to or function of that hydrant. In addition to the growing pedestrian traffic on Bayard Street (due to continued development of Battlefield Commons), my handicapped and wheel-chair bound mother and the McMahon grandchildren use the area sought for this driveway. (6) Environmental/Aesthetic Damage: Construction of the proposed driveway will necessitate destroying a large, well-established, and very beautiful horse chestnut tree, which contributes to the beauty and character of our neighborhood and the Village. It will also dramatically change the appearance of my yard which we have maintained for the past 11years. There is
also a likelihood surfacing materials used to establish this driveway will wander into adjacent yards through use, heavy rain and snow removal. There is significant drifting of snow in the direction of the easement during the winter with the sustained winds off the lake. The ability to remove snow without pushing it onto my property or damaging the McMahon's fence is not possible. (7) Cost to the Village and Taxpayers: It is unclear why residents and taxpayers of Sackets Harbor should pay for constructing, surfacing, and long-term maintenance (plowing) of a drive that would benefit only one household. The full cost of long-term maintenance to insure the integrity, appearance and safety of the drive is unknown. (8) Precedent: As adjoining property owners, with the property owners at 213 West Washington Street, we have carefully and conscientiously maintained the condition and appearance of the property in question for over 11years. At no time has the Village maintained or used this property. (9) Limited benefit: The property/'alley'/easement in question Is not a through-alley. Occasional public access for necessary utility work Is one thing; permitting private, continued use as a personal driveway that will benefit one and only one household, is to the detriment of the · adjacent homeowners and the greater neighborhood.
In addition to these substantive bases for our objection, we have concerns about the manner in which this process has unfolded. To date, although we are immediately adjacent property owners, we have never been directly informed by Mr. Bray, the builder; we have never received official notice from the Village of this request; and our input on this Issue which directly affects us has never been elicited. Nevertheless, the house in question is already well under construction, with the apparent tacit blessing of Village officials who a pproved siting and orientation without considering the impact on environmental,safety, access or other factors, and the negative impacts to adjoining property owners and Village taxpayers.
In sum, we object to and strenuously oppose this inappropriate use. Mr. Bray has options on his own property which he can and should be required to be use. To presume approval without following due course, including open and transparent proceedings, is disrespectful to the citizens and taxpayers of Sackets Harbor. We ask that this request be denied and. that our neighborhood be preserved as it currently exists.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Kenney Woodhouse 201 Bayard Street Donald Woodhouse
Cc: Trustees Barbara Boulton, Daniel Frechette, Molly C. Reilly, James Bray
Community Broadcasters, LLCNew York I Massachusetts I South Carolina
Mayor Vincent Battista Board of Trustees Village of Sackets Harbor September 12, 2017
RE: NOTICE OF OBJECTION TO CONVERSION OF EASEMENT TO PERSONAL USE Dear Mayor Battista and the Trustees of the Village of Sackets Harbor:
This letter is notice that, as immediately adjoining property owners, we vehemently oppose converting the easement adjacent to and across my building's property at 201/203 Bayard Street for the continual personal use of a newly constructed, single household on West Washington Street. Our objection is based on multiple factors, not least of which are the significant detrimental effect this action will have on the value of our property, interference with the peaceable enjoyment of our property, and the impact on other adjoiners and the Bayard Street neighborhood as a whole. These factors are:
(1) Inappropriate Use: This is an inappropriate use of a public easement for personal use. Creating a private driveway subject to continual,year-round use, for the benefit of a one (and only one) homeowner at the expense of adjacent property owners and village taxpayers, violates the spirit and purpose of the easement. (2) Interference with the peaceable en joyment of our property: The proposed driveway would pass very close to of our bedrooms, our patio, and directly along our yard and that of the other adjoining property owners (Linda and Joe McMahon). In addition to personal vehicles, we anticipate that Mr. Bray, a building contractor, will drive and park trucks and construction vehicles in this area. (3) Economic Harm: If approved, this conversion will fundamentally alter the visual appeal and measurably reduce the resale value (if not the general salability) of our property and also that of the neighboring townhomes (pegged to comparable value or "comps"). Beyond interfering with the peaceful enjoyment of our home and property, this action has very real and significant negative financial consequences to us and to our neighbors on Bayard and Washington Streets. (4) Environmental Harm: The proposed private driveway is proximal to a storm water drainage basin and other water and sewer infrastructure. In light of the increasingly frequent and intense weather events the Village Is already experiencing, grading,paving (or otherwise surfacing) the driveway and altering the landscape to accommodate this use poses potential environmental risks which, to our knowledge, have not been evaluated or considered. (5) Public Safety: The required access Is very close to a fire hydrant on Bayard Street. It has not been evaluated how this conversion would affect access to or function of that hydrant. In addition to the growing pedestrian traffic on Bayard Street (due to continued development of Battlefield Commons), my handicapped and wheel-chair bound mother and the McMahon grandchildren use the area sought for this driveway.
'New York I Massachusetts r South Carolina
(6) Environmental/Aesthetic Damage: Construction of the proposed driveway will necessitate destroying a large, well-established, and very beautiful horse chestnut tree, which contributes to the beauty and character of our neighborhood and the Village. It will also dramatically change the appearance of my yard which we have maintained for the past 11years. There is also a likelihood surfacing materials used to establish this driveway will wander into adjacent yards through use, heavy rain and snow removal. There is significant drifting of snow in the direction of the easement during the winter with the sustained winds off the lake. The ability to remove snow without pushing it onto my property or damaging the McMahon's fence is not possible. (7) Cost to the Village and Taxpayers: It is unclear why residents and taxpayers of Sackets Harbor should pay for constructing, surfacing, and long-term maintenance (plowing) of a drive that would benefit only one household. The full cost of long-term maintenance to insure the integrity, appearance and safety of the drive is unknown. (8) Precedent: As adjoining property owners, with the property owners at 213 West Washington Street, we have carefully and conscientiously maintained the condition and appearance of the property In questio.n for over 11years. At no time has the Village maintained or used this property. (9) Limited benefit: The property/'alley'/easement in question is not a through-alley. Occasional public access for necessary utility work is one thing; permitting private, continued use as a personal driveway that will benefit one and only one household, is to the detriment of the adjacent homeowners and the greater neighborhood.
In addition to these substantive bases for our objection, we have concerns about the manner in which this process has unfolded. To date, although we are immediately adjacent property owners, we have never been directly informed by Mr. Bray, the builder; we have never received official notice from the Village of this request; and our Input on this issue which directly affects us has never been elicited. Nevertheless, the house in question is already well under construction, with the apparent tacit blessing of Village officials who approved siting and orientation without considering the impact on environmental, safety, access or other factors, and the negative impacts to adjoining property owners and Village taxpayers.
In sum, we object to and strenuously oppose this inappropriate use. Mr. Bray has options on his own property which he can and should be required to be use. To presume approval without following due course, including open and transparent proceedings, is disrespectful to the citizens and taxpayers of Sackets Harbor. We ask that this request be denied and that our neighborhood be preserved as it currently exists.
Vince, lwould like to invite you to appear on WATN's tall< programs or on air on any of my other radio stations to discuss this issue which is clearly important to me, my enjoyment of the property and its ongoing value. This is an Issue of import to Sackets Harbor since once this happens once, it may happen again.
300 First Ave11ue, Suite 204, Needham, MA 02494 I T 781.247 .0740 F 617.335.0262 I www.commbroadcasters.com
Community Broadcasters, LLCNew York I Massachusetts I South Carolina
Sincerely,
James L. Leven
Cc: Trustees Barbara Boulton, Daniel Frechette, Molly C. Reilly, James Bray
September 13,2017
To the Village Board Members and Mayor Vincent Battista,
I,James Bray, feel that I am the subject of mayor Vincent Battista's latest witch hunt. The village of Sackets Harbor has a meddling mayor that enjoys spreading gossip with no basis or merit, slandering people, and trying to create problems were there are none. The mayor is presently attempting to sully and tarnish my reputation as a contractor by starting and perpetuating false information that he has spread to all of our neighbors. He was informed several times by Jim Corbin, zoning officer that I had the correct permits and were in compliance with all zoning laws and county codes. Instead of telling concerned village residents this information or referring them to Mr. Corbin,the mayor instructs Mr. Corbin to "pull our permit". The mayo_r was then informed by Mr. Corbin that there is no legal reason to pull the permit. The mayor then continued to talk about me in ways that intended to harm my reputation. I have sat quietly by and listened to the nonsense Mayor Battista is spreading,and will no longer accept this treatment from him. I strictly adhere to all zoning and building code laws, and have an outstanding reputation as a contractor for the past 35 years. I do not need to ask for a blessing or an "OK" from the mayor or village residents to construct a home on my property. I have followed all the rules and obtained all the permits necessary for this construction project. I have been straightforward from the very beginning with both adjoining neighbors as to my desire to use Buckley Alley to access the rear of my property. One neighbor was in favor, and other one said he would oppose it, that is his right. As it is my right to enjoy my property at 211W. Washington Street without being harassed by the village mayor.
Sincerely, ··
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Village Of Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County
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