HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211138 35 Hyde Street Variance Correspondance BALZER TUCK
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January 24, 2022
Amanda Tucker, RA
Senior Planner
Ciry Hall, Suite 32
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Re: 35 Hyde Street, Revised Zoning Application
Ms.Tucker,
We respectfully submit the following information, clarification and attached drawings for
consideration by the Zoning Board of Appeals as they review our request for relief from the Ciry of
Saratoga Springs Zoning Ordinance.
During our presentation to the board at their January 10`''meeting, it was noted that the required
front yard setback for the district is 10'-0" and that our requested relief was for 3.8'. It should be
noted that as a result of the lawfully eYisting non-conforming front yard setbacks of the neighbors
to the north and south,the Zoning Officer has determined that the required setback at 35 Hyde
street is 6.53'. We believe this to be an important distinction as the board considers our request for
relief. It should also be noted that the neighbor at 29 Hyde street has a front parch that e�tends to
3.51'from their properry line, however because records for the approval of that porch have not
been located, it has been discounted when determining the front yard setback for this structure.
When considering the conte�t of our proposed porch to the neighborhood,we believe this
neighbor's porch to be relevant.
During review of our application, it was noted by members of the board that the length of porch we
are proposing was not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. We were advised to
consider reducing the overall width of the front porch. You will see in the attached drawings that
the overall width has been reduced by 4'-0" (from 38'-8"to 34'-8") equating to 36%of the overall
street frontage. We have surveyed porches on this street and found that their relative size to the lot
ranges from a low of 17%to a high of 42%. It is our position that the size of porch we are
proposing is consistent with the character of the street We also note that along with several of the
neighboring parches on this street,the�isting porch is enclosed by half-walls presenting a much
more solid appearance than the open colonnaded scheme presented here.
A suroey of the larger neighborhood within Circular, Benedict Oak and Walnut Streets shows a
collection of porches that are as varied in their size as they are setback from the street with no clear
distinction or association indicating larger porches are set back further from the street.
It is our intent that you find these supporting documents sufficient to support a positive
determination as to the size of porch we have requested within the front yard at 35 Hyde street.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
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Michael Tuck,AIA
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Saratoga Springs,New Yoik 12866
p 518.580.8818 w balzertuck.com