HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180700 16.046 SamesMixedUseBuilding_ZBAResoCENTENNIAL
CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
0
CITY HALL - 474 BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK 12866
PH) 518-587-3550 Fx) 518-580-9480
W W W.SARATOGA-SPRI NGS.ORG
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF
MATT SAM ES
20 BOWMAN STREET
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866
Bill Moore
Chair
Keith B. Kaplan
Vice Chair
Adam McNeill
Secretary
Gary Hasbrouck
George "Skip" Carlson
James Helicke
Susan Steer
(-)rl.272016
ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
From the determination of the Building Inspector involving the premises at 20 Bowman Street in the City of
Saratoga Springs, NY, being tax parcel number 179.29-3-1 1 on the Assessment Map of said City. The Applicant having
applied for area variances to convert an existing one-story building to a two-story building with an eating and drinking
establishment on the first floor and a residential unit on the second floor in a Tourist Related Business District and public
notice having been duly given of hearings on said application on October 11 and 24, 2016.
In consideration of the balance between the benefit to the Applicant with the detriment to the health, safety
and welfare of the community, I move that the following variances for the following amount of relief:
Type of Requirement
District Dimensional
Requirement
Proposed
Relief Requested
Minimum Side Yard
Setback
40 feet
6.8 feet
33.2 feet (83%)
Minimum Front Yard
Setback
40 feet
27.1 feet
12.9 feet (32%)
Minimum Side Yard
Setback (to parking)
20 feet
1.8 feet
18.2 feet (91 %)
Minimum Rear Yard
Setback (to parking)
25 feet
+/- 18 feet
7 feet (28%)
As per the submitted plans or lesser dimensions, BE APPROVED for the following reasons:
1. The Board finds that the Applicant has demonstrated this benefit cannot be achieved by other means
feasible to the Applicant. The Applicant intends to construct a two-story building with an eating and
drinking establishment on the first floor and a residential unit on the second floor by converting the existing
one-story building. The Applicant has demonstrated that due to the fact that the lot is small, it would not be
possible to demolish the existing building and construct a new building without a variance for parking. The
Applicant intends to locate parking on the side of the lot that borders an existing bar/restaurant so as to
mitigate any noise, traffic or congestion on the sides of the lot that border the residential district. The
Applicant recognizes the limited availability of off-street parking in the neighborhood and is not asking for a
variance for parking and has provided 17 parking spaces to serve the business and residence. Further, the
Applicant has explained that the proposed location for parking is safer than what currently exists for the
property since the area where cars will ingress and egress the property will be smaller and sidewalks will be
installed. The Applicant has indicated that no other land is available to purchase.
2. The Board finds that the Applicants has demonstrated that granting this variance will not produce an
undesirable change in neighborhood character and not be a detriment to the nearby properties. The
property is located at the edge of a Tourist Related Business District and an eating and drinking
establishment is a permitted use. There is a bar/restaurant on the lot directly to the south of the property
and the race track and harness tracks are nearby. Further, a horse stable is located directly across the street
and the lot directly to the north of the property is used for parking during the racing season. There are also
single and multiple family homes in the neighborhood. Currently, the building is in disrepair. Revitalization
of the site will have a positive impact on the neighborhood.
3. The Board finds that the requests for relief are substantial, but substantiality is offset by the fact that the lot
is small and the Applicant intends to provide for the required off-street parking for the intended use of the
property and the parking will be located on the side of the lot nearest the bar and restaurant establishment
located directly to the south of the property which is also part of the Tourist Related Business district.
Further, the addition of the second story will align with the existing setback and will not encroach upon the
setback any further.
4. The Board finds that the Applicant has demonstrated that granting this area variances will not have an
adverse physical or environmental effect on the neighborhood. The Applicant will need to obtain a special
use permit and undergo site plan review before the project is approved. The site will be improved to the
extent that there will be a consolidation of the existing curb cut and a sidewalk will be installed. The
proposed site permeability is 33.3% which exceeds the required 30% permeability
5. The request for relief may be considered a self-created hardship, however self -creation alone is not fatal to
the application.
Conditions: Second floor to be residential only and only accessible from outside the building. The second -story
deck will be for residential use only.
Recommendations for Planning Board: Consider proper placement of patio if outdoor dining and entertainment is
contemplated.
Adopted by the following vote:
AYES: 6 (B. Moore, K. Kaplan A. McNeill, G. Hasbrouck, S. Steer, C. Grey)
NAYES: I (S. Carlson)
Dated: October 24, 2016
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.
I0/2-7 //60
Date
Chair
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.