HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200713 Souther New Single-Family NOD
Keith Kaplan, Chair
C ITY OF S ARATOGA S PRINGS
Brad Gallagher, Vice Chair
Terrance Gallogly
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Cheryl Grey
Matthew Gutch
C ITY H ALL - 474 B ROADWAY
Christopher Mills
S ARATOGA S PRINGS, N EW Y ORK 12866
Gage Simpson
PH) 518-587-3550 FX) 518-580-9480
Kathleen O’Connor, alternate
WWW.SARATOGA-SPRINGS.ORG
#20200713
I N THE M ATTER OF THE APPEAL OF
M IKE & K IM S OUTHERN
124 Y ORK A VENUE
S ARATOGA S PRINGS NY 12866
from the determination of the Building Inspector involving the premises at 131 Middle Ave in the City of
Saratoga Springs, New York being tax parcel number 166.46-3-5.2 on the Assessment Map of said City.
The applicant having applied for an area variance under the Zoning Ordinance of said City to permit the
construction of a new single-family residence, patio, and a two-car garage in a UR-3 District and public notice
having been duly given of a hearing on said application held on the 9th day of November and the 14th day of
December 2020.
In consideration of the balance between benefit to the applicant with detriment to the health, safety and welfare
of the community, I move that the following area variances for the following amount of relief:
T YPE OF R EQUIREMENT D ISTRICT D IMENSIONAL P ROPOSED R ELIEF R EQUESTED
R EQUIREMENT
M INIMUM S ETBACK FOR P ATIO 10’ 4.9’ 5.1’ (51%)
M AXIMUM C OVERAGE FOR A CCESSORY 10% 12% 2% (20%)
S TRUCTURES
M INIMUM F RONT Y ARD S ETBACK 8.2’ (M ODIFIED 5.3’
2.9’ OR 35.4%
A VERAGE)
As per the submitted plans or lesser dimensions, be approved for the following reasons:
1. The applicant has demonstrated this benefit cannot be achieved by other means feasible to the
applicant. With respect to the proposed patio, according to the applicant, the narrow width of the
property necessitates the patio be aligned with the west side of the proposed principal structure, in
order to allow the patio to be of adequate size and function. With respect to the proposed garage,
according to the applicant, the garage has been designed to be as small as possible to accommodate two
cars and, as a result, it is not feasible to build an interior staircase to reach the storage area above the
garage. Therefore, the applicant intends to build an exterior staircase for the garage, which in turn will
result in the garage exceeding the allowed coverage area for an accessory structure.
2. The applicant has demonstrated that granting these variances will not create an undesirable change in
neighborhood character or detriment to nearby properties. With respect to the proposed patio, it will
align with the west side of the proposed principal structure and, as such, it will not impose on the
adjacent property any more significantly than the proposed principal structure. In addition, the
applicants intend to place shrubbery or some other form of vegetation between the patio and the
adjacent property, which will allow for additional privacy. With respect to the proposed garage, it will
be located at the rear of the property behind the larger proposed principal structure and, as such, it will
be almost “imperceptible” from the street. In addition, the exterior staircase to the garage will be
located toward the interior to the lot and, therefore, will not impose on the adjacent property. The
permitted front setback has been reduced to 8.2’ using the average of the adjacent parcels as permitted
by the Zoning Ordinance. This modified setback is consistent with neighboring properties.
3. The Board notes the requested variances of 51%, 35.4%, and 20% are substantial. However, the
Board notes that the relief requested is mitigated by its nature and its overall minimum impact on the
neighboring properties, as discussed above. Substantiality of the front setback is mitigated by the
consistency with neighboring properties.
4. These variances will not have a significant adverse physical or environmental effect on the neighborhood
or district. Permeability requirements will meet district requirements.
5. The alleged difficulty is considered self-created insofar as the applicant desires to construct the patio
and the garage. However, this is not necessarily fatal to the application.
Adopted by the following vote:
AYES: 7 (K. Kaplan, B. Gallagher, C. Grey, T. Gallogly, M. Gutch, C. Mills, G. Simpson)
NAYES: 0
Dated: December 14, 2020
This variance shall expire 18 months following the filing date of such decision unless the necessary building
permit has been issued and actual construction begun as per 240-8.5.1.
I hereby certify the above to be a full, true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Zoning Board
of Appeals of the City of Saratoga Springs on the date above mentioned, seven members of the Board being
present.
S IGNATURE: _______________________________ 12/16/2020
C HAIR D ATE R ECEIVED BY A CCOUNTS D EPT.