Zoning Error in East Haven Creating Problems for Neighbors

A zoning issue has created a property dispute between two neighbors, the New Haven Register reports.

Oscar Ovalles, a William Street homeowner was given a permit in May to build an above-ground pool on his property, but the pool infringes on his neighbor’s property by 5 feet.

Town Planning and Zoning Director Frank Biancur Jr. told the paper the residents had agreed to complete a land transaction to remedy the situation. However, the transaction would render the neighbor’s property as non-conforming.

The neighbor, Joshua Onofrio, has a property that is precisely 0.17 acres, the exact size that the neighborhood’s R-1 zoning classification mandates, the Register reports. Selling 5 feet of his property to Ovalles would mean the property would no longer meet the zoning condition.

Onofrio’s insurance company warned him that his coverage would be cancelled if the pool remained encroaching on the property. According to the Register, neighbors were not informed of the pool being constructed on time.

According to the paper, The Zoning Board gave Ovalles the option of withdrawing his application and coming to an agreement with Onofrio within 30 days to purchase the property and apply again for a variance or the board would deny the application resulting in the pool being removed.

Ovalles withdrew his application on Aug. 26 and the 30-day waiting period ends in roughly one week.

Read the full story at the New Haven Register.

Image via Google Maps