May 17, 2018

being proposed and the option of re-grading the front yard and driveway and adding a wheelchair lift. Vice Chairman Neuer stated that when the applicant comes back, the Board would like to see photos of an eighty (80) foot ramp similar to the one being proposed.

Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if his testimony is that the front yard ramp is the least intrusive design that is ADA compliant; he replied yes. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if there is a non-intrusive design for a wheelchair ramp; he said no. Mr. Pellon continued his testimony and detailed the side yard ramp that is being proposed along the side of the house; he stated that the ramp will run along the existing walkway. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if there are a lot of overgrown bushes that belong to the neighbor along that the side of the house on to the path; he said yes. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if the ramp along the side yard would be visible from the road; he said it would be just as visible as the current path. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if the use of the side yard ramp is also for the parents to be able to get Ethan to the top of the driveway to board the family’s personal van; he said yes. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if, other than the side yard ramp, the only way Ethan would be able to access a vehicle is down by the street; he said yes. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if the side yard ramp will replace the existing paved surface on the side of the house; he said yes. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Pellon if the existing overgrown bushes on the side yard would have to be cut back in order to build the ramp; he said yes. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Pellon if the side yard ramp will be more visible from the street once the overgrown bushes are cut back; he said the ramp will be just as visible as the current paving. Vice Chairman Neuer asked if there has been any conversation with the neighbor who owns the bushes regarding trimming them back; Ms. Durkin said she personally has not spoken to the neighbor but Ms. Roman has spoken to the neighbor. Vice Chairman Neuer asked Ms. Durkin if Ms. Roman spoke to the neighbor about trimming the bushes back; she said she does not know what they spoke about. Chairman Buechler called for a recess at 9:32 pm. Chairman Buechler resumed the meeting at 9:48 pm. Chairman Buechler asked if any Board Members had any questions for Mr. Pellon.

Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if the driveway will still have a slope after the proposed front yard ramp is installed; he said yes. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if someone would always have to hold the wheelchair when it is in the driveway; he said that he does not think that the driveway should be used for anyone in a wheelchair other than at the top landing. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if the re-grading of the front yard will solve the issue and eliminate the slope and make the property safer for the child; Mr. Pellon said to be clear with this design, the child cannot be loaded into the van from the side; he can only be loaded into the van from the rear. Mr. Pellon stated that the van would have to be backed into the driveway. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if his design is safer than re-grading the front yard; he said yes. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if re-grading the driveway is safer for a wheelchair verses an incline; he said it would be safer than the current condition. Mr. Pellon stated that the re-grading would not be practical because a good portion of the front yard and the driveway would have to be removed. He said that removing all of that dirt would expose the basement and the front of the house would look worse. Mr. Pellon said that he does not feel that this option would be any less intrusive as what is being proposed. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Pellon if the front of the property was re-graded, would a rear loading van lift gate fit on the flat part of the driveway; he said he does not know. Ms. Durkin stated that Mr. Pellon is an architect and not an expert on rear loading vans. Ms. Durkin asked Mr. Pellon if his testimony was in regards to the rear handicap ramp design allowing Ethan’s parents to have accessibility at the top of the driveway to get him into their personal van; he said yes. Ms. Durkin stated that the Board’s questioning is confusing the witness and she is trying to clarify what his previous testimony was. Ms. Durkin said that Mr. Pellon’s dialog with Mr. Schwarzbaum’s was in regards to the front, as she understood, and Mr. Pellon’s understanding was that Mr. Schwarzbaum was talking about the rear. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if he testified that Ethan would have access to the bus if they re-graded the front and added a chair lift; he said yes. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if his

ear. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if he testified that Ethan would have access to the bus if they re-graded the front and added a chair lift; he said yes. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon if his testimony is that his design is less intrusive than the 9

re-grading with a chair lift, he said yes. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Pellon why his design is less intrusive; he said because with the other design they would have to regrade the entire front of the house. Chairman Buechler asked if any members of the public would like to ask Mr. Pellon any questions. Ms. Durkin stated that her client would like to end the meeting and take Ethan home because he is having problems. Chairman Buechler stated that the meeting will be adjourned and carried over to the next Zoning Board meeting held on June 21, 2018 and that no further notice will be necessary. Chairman Buechler stated that the meeting will start with the public posing questions to Mr. Pellon. The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Bucher at 10:23 pm. Adopted: June 21, 2018 op lef Rose DeSena Zoning Board Secretary 10