Master plans and zoning laws were created to maintain the integrity and quality of life in our communities. They were made so that municipalities could have thriving commercial districts and safe and peaceful residential communities. That shouldn’t be hard to understand.
A Yorktown homeowner on Maple Court wants to build a garage on his property that would house up to 24 vehicles – possibly for a business that would restore and resell old cars. The location is already the headquarters for Cheap Snake Sewer and Drain – a plumbing business. You can find it on Yahoo or Citysearch under the business listings. It will tell you that the business is located at 1920 Maple Court. In fact, the neighbors have already complained that the plumbing trucks are parked on the property for all who care to see.

Additionally, there is the noise that neighbors say the property owner – Andrew Sabo – creates through his various enterprises. They say that, at times, it lasts well into the night.
And what have the authorities done to squelch this seemingly egregious breach of zoning law? Not much. Town officials say that noise is allowed in residential neighbors till 11 p.m. and that working on cars can be a hobby, not necessarily a business.

However, the proposed garage will be more than double the size of the two-family house that already occupies the property. Many of us have hobbies, but we don’t need to construct huge buildings in which to conduct them.

What do Yorktown officials – especially those on the zoning board of appeals – think that this building would be used for? It’s clear that Mr. Sabo would use the facility to conduct a business.

It’s also clear that what Mr. Sabo needs here is a variance. After all, he wants to set up a business in an area zoned residential. And it is also clear that the ZBA needs to say “no” to that request. In towns where zoning laws have teeth and code enforcement officers don’t shy away from enforcing them, most applicants wouldn’t even bother to ask for such an outlandish request. But not in Yorktown where zoning, apparently, is more of a helpful suggestion than an actual law with punitive consequences.

So why are Yorktown officials twiddling their thumbs on this one?
The government has a responsibility to protect its constituents and keep them safe. When Open Gate moved to place two group homes in some upscale neighborhoods, the board pounded its collective fists and said it wouldn’t stand for it. It took one case to the state and another is pending in court.

Ironically, Mr. Sabo’s request is far more invasive than anything Open Gate proposed to do. Don’t the residents of Maple Hill Street deserve the same type of support that the residents of Marcy and Evergreen Streets received?
The answer is yes, they do.
School supplies drive
It’s hard to believe that it’s the middle of August and the countdown to the first day of school is on.

With the rising costs of, well, everything, there are those who cannot afford to shop for backpacks, pencils, calculators and notebooks.
If you can afford to help, please consider donating to the Beaver Farm and North County News School Supplies Drive.

Beaver Farm, in partnership with North County News and Chase Media Group, is sponsoring the annual school supplies drive for local children in need.
Please drop off donations to the Beaver Farm office at the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center or the North County News office at the back of the Yorktown Pennysaver building at 1520 Front St. in Yorktown Heights.

For more information, call Barbara Donnadio at 962-3871, ext. 260.