Neighbor raises drainage concerns as ZBA hears plan to seal flooded garage at 26 College Ave

At the Sept. 19 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, homeowner Veronica Sanguino sought permission to remove a below-grade basement garage at 26 College Avenue, build a masonry retaining wall and backfill the driveway to grade so the space would become basement rather than a garage. Sirus Miandoabi, P.E., of Integral Engineering Services PLLC represented the applicant and described repeated flooding of the basement garage during heavy rain.

Neighbor Miguel of 28 College Avenue asked whether backfilling the driveway could divert stormwater onto his property. Miandoabi said there is a nearby storm drain and said water that comes onto the applicants property would flow into that drain; the neighbor said he maintains the drain in front of his house to prevent blockages. On the motion of Commissioner Morlino, seconded by Commissioner Simmons, the board closed the public hearing. On a subsequent motion by Commissioner Morlino, seconded by Commissioner D'Estrada, the board directed the Village Attorney to prepare favorable findings of fact for the Oct. 17 meeting.