HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200923 Higgins Single-Family Addition NOD Keith Kaplan, Chair
CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS
Brad Gallagher, Vice Chair
} `. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Terrance Gallogly
Cheryl Grey
Fsew Matthew Gutch
14
-x, r CITY HALL-474 BROADWAY
l SARATOGA SPRINGS,NEW YORK 12866 Gage Simpson
�� Kathleen O'Connor,alternate
. 518-587-3550
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#20200923
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF
LISA AND TIM HIGGINS
24 FIFTH AVE
SARATOGA SPRINGS NY 12866
from the determination of the Building Inspector involving the premises at 24 Fifth Ave in the City of Saratoga
Springs, New York being tax parcel number 166.61-2-22, in the UR-1 district on the Assessment Map of said
City.
This being an application for an area variance under the Zoning Ordinance of said City to seek relief from the
minimum front yard setback and maximum principal coverage to permit the construction of an addition to an
existing single-family residence and public notice having been duly given of a hearing on said application held on
the 1st day of February through the 22nd day of February 2021.
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 amounts of relief: based on the
dimensions of this parcel and the nearby parcel,tax parcel number 166.61-2-23:
TYPE OF REQUIREMENT DISTRICT PROPOSED RELIEF REQUESTED
DIMENSIONAL
REQUIREMENT
MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL COVERAGE 20% 24.9% 4.9% OR 24.5%
RELIEF
MIN.FRONT YARD SETBACK 30 FT 11.5 FT 18.5 FT OR 61.7%
RELIEF
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.Per
the applicant, the coverage requested is to allow for new stairs to access the basement, to create additional
living space with an expansion of the second floor, and a new entry. The applicant noted that the change
will offer a safer emergency egress with basement stairs and the new rooflines will provide safer entry from
inclement weather.
2. The applicant has demonstrated that granting these variances will not create an undesirable change in
neighborhood character or detriment to nearby properties. The applicant noted that the new architectural
work will be more in sync with the existing historical portion of the house. The applicant further provided
neighborhood context, demonstrating for the Board that there are numerous other houses with similar
principal coverage in the immediate area.
3. The Board notes the requested variances are substantial, however the substantiality of these variances is
mitigated by the lack of adverse impact as noted above.
4. These variances will not have a significant adverse physical or environmental effect on the neighborhood or
district. Permeability will meet the district requirement of 30%.
5. The alleged difficulty is self-created insofar as the applicant's desire to construct the proposed addition,but
this is not necessarily fatal to the application.
Conditions:
1. This variance is conditioned on the combination of the lots at 24 Fifth Ave and 29 Tipton Lane, Saratoga
Springs, tax parcel numbers 166.61-2-22 and 166.61-2-23, both of which are currently owned by the
applicant.
Adopted by the following vote:
AYES: 5 (K. Kaplan, B. Gallagher, T. Gallogly, M. Gutch, K. O'Connor)
NAYES: 1 (G. Simpson)
RECUSED: 1 (C. Grey)
Dated: February 22, 2021
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.
SIGNATURE: 2/24/2021
CHAIR DATE RECEIVED BY ACCOUNTS DEPT.