HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250104 48 White St. Area Variance NOD
Gage Simpson, Chair
C ITY OF S ARATOGA
Brendan Dailey, Vice Chair
Shafer Gaston
S PRINGS
Amanda Demma
Jonah Cohen
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Otis Maxwell
Chris LaPointe
C ITY H ALL - 474 B ROADWAY
Chris Maslak (Alternate)
S ARATOGA S PRINGS, N EW Y ORK 12866
Robert West (Alternate)
518-587-3550
WWW.SARATOGA-SPRINGS.ORG
#20250104
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF
William and Marilyn Dockum, the Applicant
48 White Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
On or about February 20, 2025, the City of Saratoga Springs Building Inspector determined that certain
application involving the premises at 48 White Street in the City of Saratoga Springs, New York (the “City”)
being tax parcel number 165.76-2-14.
The Applicant appealing such Zoning Denial, has applied for an area variance under the UDO of the City to
permit the construction of a secondary single-family dwelling unit in the Urban Residential-3 (UR-3) District
and public notice having been duly given of a hearing on said application held on March 3, 2025 and March
24, 2025.
In consideration of the balance between benefit to the applicants 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 Proposed Relief Requested
Requirement
Min. Lot Size 8000 sq ft 7500 sq ft 500 sq ft (6.3%)
Min. Avg. Width 80' 50' 30' (37.5%)
Max. Combined Coverage % 40% 41.33% 100 sq ft or 1.33%
(3.3%)
Rear Setback (Secondary 25' 10.2' 14.8' (59.2%)
Dwelling)
As per the submitted plans or lesser dimensions, be APPROVED for the following reasons:
1. Achievability by Other Means. The Applicant has demonstrated that this benefit cannot be achieved by
other means feasible to the applicant. The proposed secondary dwelling unit significantly exceeds the
allowable lot coverage and rear setback requirements. The Applicant has demonstrated that the
alternative will not yield substantially similar benefits in comparison to the requested relief.
2. Undesirable Change. The Applicant has demonstrated that granting this variance would not create an
undesirable change in neighborhood character and a detriment to nearby properties. Per the Applicant,
a second principal structure will be built in the rear of the Property with rear ingress and egress to
Murphy Lane to blend in with the existing characteristics of the neighborhood. The Applicant has
provided several neighborhood comparable in connection with its requested relief and has demonstrated
that such benefit is consistent with neighboring properties.
3. Substantiality. The requested variances from the min. average lot width and min. rear yard setback are
substantial. The relief requested for min. lot size and max. building coverage are not significant and
would not set a precedent for future applications. The proposed secondary dwelling unit would result
in a substantial increase in density and coverage, however this is not fatal to the application.
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4. Adverse Effort or Impact. The variance will not create a significant adverse physical or environmental
effect on the neighborhood or district. The property will meet the minimum permeability requirements.
5. Self-Created Difficulty. The alleged difficulty is considered self-created insofar as the Applicant desires
to build a secondary dwelling unit on an undersized lot, however this is not fatal to the application.
Dated: March 24, 2025
Passes by the following votes:
AYES: 7 (G. Simpson, B. Dailey, J. Cohen, C. LaPointe, S. Gaston, O.
Maxwell, A. Demma)
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, seven
members of the Board being present.
SIGNATURE: 03/28/2025
CHAIR DATE RECEIVED BY
ACCOUNTS DEPT.
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