134 Pine Street ZVAR17-0011 Email Hindle 2017.12.19From: Tom Hindle [mailto:tbhindle@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2017 8:26 AM
To: Reeves, Derek <dreeves@coab.us>
Cc: Atlantic Beach Preservation <susannesbarker@atlanticbeachcares.emailnb.com>; Susanne Barker <susannefbarker@gmail.com>; Maria Mark <mariadmark@gmail.com>; mary emerson-smith <emo1943@gmail.com>;
Gerrity, Joseph <jgerrity@coab.us>; Hogencamp,Kevin <kHogencamp@coab.us>
Subject: PUBLIC NOTICE ITEM NUMBER ZVAR17-0011 APPLICANT MARY B. CLOUTIER
Derek,
I am unable to attend the Community Development Board meeting on December 19, and ask that you present the following on my behalf:
My name is Tom Hindle and I reside at 381 9th Street Atlantic Beach. I own a rental property at 131 Magnolia and was advised about the variance application for 134 Pine. Section 24-88(b)
is very clear in stating that adjoining townhouses must be constructed of the same materials, style and color. This regulation was made so that adjoining townhouses have the appearance
of being one property for aesthetic purposes.
The applicant obviously wants to replace the existing vertical siding with horizontal HARDIE SIDING, as it would be an Improvement in quality and durability. As I agree that replacing
the existing siding with an improved product is a prudent decision, I must point out that JAMES HARDIE SIDING and others are available for vertical applications as well as horizontal.
If this variance would be approved, the subject townhouse would stand out and be anything but aesthetically pleasing. Unless the adjoining homeowner plans to replace his siding at the
same time, in the same material, this request must be denied. The regulation is clear in this regard, and there is obviously no hardship involved. It is the responsibility of the Community
Development Board to insure that codes and regulations are adhered to in order preserve the integrity of their original intent.
Once a variance is granted in one case, there are bound to be many other homeowners in our city that will simply say "ME TOO"! To grant this unnecessary variance would send a message
to all that the codes don't really apply, and an exception to a code can readily be granted.
Respectfully, Tom Hindle
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