Elite Lawn Care Granted Variances

Elite Lawn Care, owned by Bruce Krause of 411 Grange Road, was granted special exceptions and variances for a general home occupation by the Wednesday night, despite one objector.

Krause sought a special exception for a general home occupation and variances for maximum sign area and total floor area used for the home occupation.

Thomas Malitsky of 417 Grange Road and his attorney, Sam Scott, presented video evidence of Krause working in his driveway last year, which is against zoning ordinances.

Krause testified that he no longer violated those ordinaces once he was made aware of them.

Malitsky showed the board videos of Krause working in his driveway and property during business hours. Krause had previously testified that he left in the morning and returned at night.

Also at issue, among other things, is whether Krause violated noise ordinances, works outside specified hours of 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and stores his material properly.

Malitsky, who lives 35 feet from Krause, said the odor, vibration and noise affects his quality of life. Malitsky, who works a second shift at Mack Trucks, says he sleeps from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. and is awakened by noise from Krause's business.

Several of Krause's neighbor's testified to the board that the business operates without disrupting their lives.

The lone variance denied by the board was for a sign placed on the property.