HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250894 15 Benton Drive 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
Amanda Demma
Jonah Cohen
Otis Maxwell
Chris LaPointe
Steve Harrigan
Chris Maslak (Alternate)
#20250894
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF
Rhonda Cavagnaro
15 Benton Drive
Saratoga Springs NY 12866
from the determination of the Building Inspector involving the premises at 15 Benton Drive in the city of Saratoga
Springs, New York being tax parcel number 166.14-2.53 on the assessment map of said City.
The applicant having applied for an area variance under the UDO of said City to permit the demolition of a
sunroom, construction of a mudroom in its place, and construct a new front porch in the Urban Residential-1
District and public notice having been duly given of a hearing on said application on November 17 through
December 8, 2025.
In consideration of the balance between benefit to then applicants 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
DIMENSIONAL
REQUIREMENT
PROPOSED RELIEF REQUESTED
INTERIOR SIDE YARD SETBACK 12 FT 8.7 FT 3.3 FT (27.5%)
FRONT YARD SETBACK 30 FT 21 FT 9 FT (30%)
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 lot is pre-existing, non-comforting with regard to width (72 FT vs the
required 100 FT) and the current structure already encroaches into the side yard setback. The applicant submits
that there is no other land available for purchase.
2. Undesirable Change: The Applicant has demonstrated that granting this variance would not produce an
undesirable change in neighborhood character or a detriment to nearby properties. The addition will not extend
any further than what was previously approved. The applicant provided comparable properties in the
neighborhood.
3. Substantiality: The board finds that the Interior side setback variance to not be substantial based on the pre-
existing non-conforming lot width. The front yard setback variance is found to be substantial but notes the
character of the neighborhood and positive impact of an improved front porch mitigate this concern.
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4. Adverse Effect or Impact: The board finds that this variance would not have a significant adverse physical
effect or environmental effect on the neighborhood or district. The proposed expansion does not encroach
further than the already existing structure.
5. Self-Created Difficulty: The alleged difficulty is considered self-created insofar as the applicant desires to build
a mudroom and front porch, however this is not necessarily fatal to the application.
Dated: December 8, 2025
Passes by the following vote:
AYES: 6 (G. Simpson, B. Dailey, J. Cohen, A. Demma, C. LaPointe, S. Harrigan)
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, six members of the Board
being present.
SIGNATURE:
CHAIR