HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250526 14 Ritchie Place Area Variance 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
Brendan Dailey, Vice Chair
Shafer Gaston
Amanda Demma
Jonah Cohen
Otis Maxwell
Chris LaPointe
Chris Maslak (Alternate)
#20250526
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF
Mary P. Dooley
12 South Hudson St., Arlington VA 12204
From the determination of the building inspector involving the premises at 14 Ritchie Pl in the City of Saratoga Springs,
New York (“City”) being tax parcel number 146.46-2-22 (the “Zoning Denial”).
The Applicant having applied for an area variance under the UDO of said City to permit modification of a residence in the
Urban Residential-1 District and public notice having been duly given of a hearing on said application held on September
15th and 29th, 2025.
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:
Type of Requirement District Requirement Proposed Relief Requested
Max. Building Coverage 28% 31% 3%
Front Yard Setback 30 ft. 14 ft. 16 ft.
Side Setback 12 ft. 10 ft. 2 ft.
Total Side Setback 30 ft 24.5 ft 5.5 ft.
As per the submitted plans or lesser dimensions, be APPROVED for the following reasons:
1. Achievability by Other Means. The Applicant wishes to modify an existing structure by rebuilding the front
porch and kitchen and adding a second story main bedroom/bath/closet area, all within the existing
footprint, and removing an existing wood ramp/porch on the right side of the house. A variance is required
to maintain the existing side and rear setbacks which are nonconforming for the UR-1 District. Alternative
designs are not feasible to the applicant. The is no additional land to purchase.
2. Undesirable Change. The Applicant has demonstrated, by providing data on nearby properties, that the
existing house is already smaller than most of its neighbors. Its mass and scale with the added second story
will be harmonious with neighboring structures.
3. Substantiality. The Board finds that the requested variances are not substantial, but further mitigated by
factors described above.
4. Adverse Effect or Impact. The Board finds that this variance would not have a significant adverse physical
effect on the neighborhood or district. District permeability requirements will be met.
5. Self-Created Difficulty. The alleged difficulty is considered self-created insofar as the Applicant desires to
upgrade and expand an existing structure, however this is not necessarily fatal to the application.
Dated September 29, 2025
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Passes by the following vote:
AYES: 7 (G. Simpson, B. Dailey, S. Gaston, O. Maxwell, J. Cohen, A. Demma, C.
LaPointe)
NAYS: 0
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:
CHAIR