HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240054 128, 132 Washington Garage Demo & Construction ZBA NODPage 1 of 2
CITY OF SARATOGA
SPRINGS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CITY HALL - 474 BROADWAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK 12866
518-587-3550
WWW.SARATOGA-SPRINGS.ORG
Gage Simpson, Chair
Brad Gallagher, Vice Chair
Shafer Gaston
Brendan Dailey
Jonah Cohen
Otis Maxwell
Chris LaPointe
Chris Maslak (Alternate)
Robert West (Alternate)
#20240517 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF
Lori Sames
128-132 Washington St.
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
from the determination of the Building Inspector involving the premises at 128-132 Washington St in the City of
Saratoga Springs, New York being tax parcel number 166.66-2-86/87 on the Assessment Map of said City.
The applicant having applied for an area variance under the UDO of said City to permit the construction of a 2-
family home in the Urban Residential-3 (UR-3) District and public notice having been duly given of a hearing on
said application held on the 22nd day of July through the 7th day of October 2024.
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 variance for the following amount of relief:
TYPE OF REQUIREMENT DISTRICT REQUIREMENT PROPOSED RELIEF REQUESTED
SETBACK TO REAR (NORTH) 25’ 16’ 9’ (36%)
SETBACK TO REAR (SOUTH) 25’ 13’ 12’ (48%)
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.
The applicant desires to combine two properties and build a 2-family home. The Board notes the Design
Review Committee has deemed the existing front porch historic which limits the applicant’s ability to
conform to all Zoning regulations. The applicant provided several alternatives that proved to be less
beneficial. The applicant also purchased some land in the rear of the property to reduce the requested
variance for the “North” lot.
2. The applicant has demonstrated that granting this variance will not create an undesirable change in
neighborhood character or detriment to nearby properties. Per the applicant, the additions to the existing
house will provide much needed repairs and match the rest of the neighborhood. The applicant provided
neighborhood comparable residences with similar setbacks.
3. The Board notes the requested variances are substantial, however the impact of the substantiality is
mitigated by the discussion above.
4. This variance will not have a significant adverse physical or environmental effect on the neighborhood or
district. The property will meet minimum permeability.
5. The alleged difficulty is considered self-created insofar as the applicant desires to build a 2-family home.
However, this is not necessarily fatal to the application.
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Notes
1. DPW to approve new curb cut on Washington Street and existing curb cut on Beekman Street.
2. If the front porch is removed during construction, DRC may consider allowing the applicant to move the
front porch out of the City ROW.
Dated: October 7, 2024
Passes by the following votes:
AYES: 5 (G. Simpson, B. Dailey, J. Cohen, C. LaPointe, S. Gaston)
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 the Unified
Development Ordinance.
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, five
members of the Board being present.
SIGNATURE: 10/15/2024
CHAIR DATE RECEIVED BY
ACCOUNTS DEPT.