Weathersfield zoning board rejects 2 requests for variances

MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Township Board of Zoning Appeals has turned down two variance requests.
Vincent Barrios sought a variance to build a single-family home at 2414 Trumbull Ave., McDonald. It would have had less than the required 16-foot side yard setback from the side street road right of way for corner lots.
The board voted 4-1 to deny the variance, based on the fact that the proposed structure would be only five feet from the road.
The board also denied a variance request by Gyeed Hassin by a 4-1 vote. Hassin had wanted the variance to construct a 42-by-42-foot pole building on a vacant lot on Welsh Hill Road, McDonald. The building would be 642 square feet over the 5 percent allowable land coverage.
Hassin proposed to use the building for storage. The board did not like the fact that of three properties owned by Hassin on the road, this parcel is separate and not adjacent to the others, zoning inspector Sherri Craver said.
Five neighbors attended and four of them spoke against the variance. The board also expressed concern over the way he maintains his properties in the area and that he may ask to use the building for commercial purposes later.