Site Visit Report from Tuesday, September 29, 2015 2BA FY2016-00001, 382 North Pleasant Street Attendance: * Property owner Cliff Laraway with his attorney, Tom Reidy * Board members Mark Parent, Tom Ehrgood, Keith Langsdale = Town staff members Jeff Bagg, Senior Planner, and Building Commissioner Rob Morra Mr. Bagg noted that a previous site visit was scheduled for September 10", but the owner could not get tenant notice due to short notice. On that date the Board observed the exterior of the property. During the public hearing on September 10", the Board requested to observe the interior of the property. For this visit, the Board observed the exterior and the interior of the property. A set of floor plans with photographs from the June 10, 2015 (see ZBA FY2015-00029) site visit were provided and used during the walkthrough (copy enclosed). A packet of 18 photographs of the exterior taken at the September 10" site visit were provided. Exterior: Prior to starting the site visit, the owner asked Town staff to not take pictures because every time pictures are taken it ends up costing him money. = The owner stated that three new arbor vitae were installed. A dead shrub behind the dumpster and another on the north side of the house facing North Pleasant Street were replaced. An additional new shrub along the driveway was added. = Additional black and red spray paint markings were added to the concrete curb to demark the four tenant spaces and two guest spaces on west side of the parking area. The four spaces adjacent to the house are demarked by stenciled numbers painted onto the house. = The erosion on the north side of the driveway observed on September 10" was noted but not observed. The owner stated an intent to add additional gravel to the driveway and parking area before winter. = A truck with a boom-lift was onsite. The owner explained that holes in the vinyl siding on the rear of the house were being patched with caulking. = An evergreen yew which was previously noted as blocking access from the metal fire escape ladder was partially trimmed. The owner stated that having to trim it made it look bad and unfortunately now may be inviting for people to climb up the ladder. * The metal fire escape ladder section from the third floor down to the porch roof was repaired and the missing rungs were added, = A vroll-off trash receptacle and empty futon frame were observed on the front porch. ‘The owner stated that the fire escape on the north side of the building will be replaced, but that plans were not complete. ‘Two roll-off trash receptacles under fire escape. When asked, the owner stated that they were tenant receptacles, The rear exterior stair case was noted as containing ripped, torn, and raised carpet. The owner stated that it was going to be replaced today.Site Visit Report from Tuesday, September 29, 2015 Z2BA FY2016-00001, 382 North Pleasant Street Interior: Prior to entering, Town staff asked for clarification whether the owner was requesting that photographs not be taken. The owner stated that he did not want photographs taken. Therefore, no photographs were taken during this site visit. First Floor — The following was observed: Kitchen, bathroom, and mud-room type room containing an additional refrigerator. The front room (with architectural bump out and fire place) labeled as a bedroom was set up as a living room including wrap-around couches and TV. Room was accessed by a lock and key door. ‘The other front room, used as a bedroom. Room was accessed by a lock and key door. The back room, used as bedroom, contained two beds. Owner stated that room is used by two tenants so the front room can be living room. Room was accessed by lock and key door. The owner made some reference to inability to control which rooms tenants want to use as bedrooms. Basement ~The following was observed: The large room labeled as living room on plans. This room has direct access to the exterior rear of the building as well as an interior staircase to the first floor. The room was furnished with a DJ table, bar area, black light, ceiling mounted strobe lights and mounted speakers. The black light was the only light on during observation of this room. The owner stated that this was the tenant's party room. Prior to exiting the large roo smoke detector was observed covered with a plastic bag and plastic coat hanger. The owner quickly stated that this was left up to show an example of what the tenants have done in the past. A small room labeled as a bedroom. The room contained a futon and couch. This room contains a large window with safety bars installed. Second Floor ~ The following was observed: Four bedrooms, labeled as bedrooms on the plans, were observed. Upon observing bedroom # 2, hasp latch, lock and keyed padlocks were observed on the exterior of each bedroom door. The owner stated that those were new and installed by the tenants and that keys for the padlocks were controlled by the tenants. The room labeled “living room” was observed. The room contained a few miscellaneous belongings and minimal furniture. The room contains a closet and had a window ‘mounted air conditioning unit. The room was accessed by a lock and key door. Third Floor ~ The following was observed: The room labeled “storage” was observed. The owner stated that the room is used for owner’s storage of miscellaneous items left by tenants. The room was completely full with what appeared to be at least four complete bed sets consisting of mattresses and box. springs. The owner stated that the inside door jamb was removed to show it was not under lock and key. The owner confirmed that this had been modified by him after the June visit when the room was then accessed by a lock and key door.Site Visit Report from Tuesday, September 29, 2015 2BA FY2016-00001, 382 North Pleasant Street The third floor kitchen was observed. The kitchen did not contain a door. The room labeled “pantry” contained a couch, rug, mini fridge. The owner stated that this was use by the tenant as a “DJ room” or “living room”. The room contained an air conditioning unit and a closet. The room is accessed by a lock and key door. ‘The large room labeled as “living room” was observed ‘with minimal furnishings including a dresser, rug, chair, desk, empty closet. The door contained a hasp latch, lock and keyed padlock on the exterior of the door. The owner stated that these were installed by the tenants. A question was asked whether they are proper to have installed in the dwelling. The Building Commissioner responded that they should not be in place and. create a hazard should a tenant be locked in from the outside. The owner called a maintenance person who was on-site and immediately began removing the locks. There was a brief discussion about locking the owner storage areas. + Eave storage — The room contains a low ceiling with narrow area through the center to walk into. The owner described the room as owner storage of tenant junk. The room contained a significant amount of items including items on each side and in the knee wall areas, including what appeared to include bags of tenant clothes and other items. The owner stated that it was mostly tenant’s belongings. The door did not have a lock and contained exposed rafters and insulation as well as a window opening covered by plastic. There was a brief discussion of whether any building code requirements were not met in this space. Basement utility room ~The following was observed: ‘A separate portion of the basement only accessible from the exterior rear of the building was observed, The room contained a washer/dryer set up and small sink accessible to tenants. + A small room at the rear of the space was observed. The owner stated that this was space for owner storage. It was accessed by an unlockable door. The toom contained one bed set of a mattress and box spring and small miscellaneous items. ‘A small closet containing the oil burner equipment was observed and contained several cases of alcoholic beverages and energy drinks described by the owner as belonging to the tenants.