AURORA #- A controversial lakeside zoning issue continues to simmer. The Aurora Zoning Board of Appeals, along with members of the community and Cynthia Koep and John Place, met Wednesday to continue discussions of the Webb House project. Koep and Place want to tear down Lake House, a currently unoccupied four-unit dwelling, and move Webb House to the land where Lake House currently stands.
Koep and Place showed key points of their proposal to the board and community. A major area of concern from previous hearings has been how the move would impact neighboring properties.
According to Koep, the effect would be minimal and might, in fact, benefit nearby properties.
“We want to replace a structure of no appreciable use, a structure that is out of compliance with a structure that will be solid and keep in character with the historic nature of the community,” Koep said.
The chief concern in regard to zoning is that Webb House, based on current standards, is too large for the proposed property and would require a variance allowing for a structure both larger and taller to sit on the land.
Based on their plans, Koep and Place are seeking a 10-percent variance allowing for the house's approximate height of 35 feet and width of about 41 feet.
Koep and Place argued that based on where they want to locate the house, the actual changes would be barely noticeable.
“We want to move the house 137 feet from the road,” Koep said. “The actual difference from what is there now would be virtually imperceptible and would have a minimal impact.”
Bill Holland, owner of Holland House, has been one of the project's chief opponents. Holland, who lives in Toronto, has been represented by his attorneys.
Among the concerns they have voiced is that Webb House would infringe upon site lines, which would change the area's aesthetics. Holland's attorney also stated that the plans Koep and Place presented Wednesday were not stamped or approved by a New York architect or engineer and may not accurately represent the physical changes that would occur on the property. Holland's attorney asked to be allowed to submit height measurements in the next few days and urged the board not to make any judgments without all the facts. These concerns were also echoed by several people in attendance concerned that changes to landscaping and driveways may negatively impact the look of the neighborhood.
Koep and Place believe that is not the case and that by saving Webb House from demolition, they will be improving the community.
“We are trying to save an historic building,” Koep said. “This is a unique situation; there is no precedent in this area.”
A joint board meeting is scheduled for May 31, when a decision may be reached.
According to Koep, the effect would be minimal and might, in fact, benefit nearby properties.
“We want to replace a structure of no appreciable use, a structure that is out of compliance with a structure that will be solid and keep in character with the historic nature of the community,” Koep said.
The chief concern in regard to zoning is that Webb House, based on current standards, is too large for the proposed property and would require a variance allowing for a structure both larger and taller to sit on the land.
Based on their plans, Koep and Place are seeking a 10-percent variance allowing for the house's approximate height of 35 feet and width of about 41 feet.
Koep and Place argued that based on where they want to locate the house, the actual changes would be barely noticeable.
“We want to move the house 137 feet from the road,” Koep said. “The actual difference from what is there now would be virtually imperceptible and would have a minimal impact.”
Bill Holland, owner of Holland House, has been one of the project's chief opponents. Holland, who lives in Toronto, has been represented by his attorneys.
Among the concerns they have voiced is that Webb House would infringe upon site lines, which would change the area's aesthetics. Holland's attorney also stated that the plans Koep and Place presented Wednesday were not stamped or approved by a New York architect or engineer and may not accurately represent the physical changes that would occur on the property. Holland's attorney asked to be allowed to submit height measurements in the next few days and urged the board not to make any judgments without all the facts. These concerns were also echoed by several people in attendance concerned that changes to landscaping and driveways may negatively impact the look of the neighborhood.
Koep and Place believe that is not the case and that by saving Webb House from demolition, they will be improving the community.
“We are trying to save an historic building,” Koep said. “This is a unique situation; there is no precedent in this area.”
A joint board meeting is scheduled for May 31, when a decision may be reached.