Zoning board approves variance for 8-by-10 shed at 115 Elmwood Street

The Zoning Hearing Board on Sept. 3 approved a dimensional variance allowing property owners Greg and Holly Aracinko to replace an existing 8-by-10 shed at 115 Elmwood Street, Tax Parcel 639 R 12, despite the structure encroaching into the required 10-foot setback for accessory structures. The applicants requested the variance at the municipal zoning hearing after presenting details about the existing concrete pad and the proposed replacement.

The variance request, listed on the agenda as item 25-14-A, sought relief from Article 3, Section 315 (Supplemental lot and yard requirements) of Mineral Zoning Ordinance No. 2779, as amended. The board heard testimony from the applicants, reviewed the proposed replacement shed, and took a voice vote approving the request.

In testimony, Greg Aracinko said the couple bought the house in January 1989 and discovered a concrete pad in the backyard when the snow melted. “We just thought, well, it’s already approved,” Aracinko said, explaining why they believed a replacement would be acceptable. He told the board the new structure would be an 8-by-10 shed that would sit on the existing pad; he described the planned exterior as wood (with stucco considered). Aracinko added, “It’s not rocket science,” while describing the replacement as a like-for-like installation on the existing foundation.

The staff presentation on the agenda stated the shed “encroaches into the required 10 foot setback for accessory structures by 8 feet for the side yard and 8 feet for the rear yard.” The transcript indicates no public comments in opposition and no neighbors spoke during the hearing.

The board chair called for a motion; a motion to approve the variance was made and seconded, and the board approved the request by voice vote (“Aye”), after which the board noted the item as approved. The transcript does not record individual vote tallies or identify the motion’s mover and seconder by name.

The approval allows the Aracinkos to replace the accessory structure at the same 8-by-10 footprint on the existing concrete pad despite its encroachment into the accessory-structure setback. The board did not place further conditions on the replacement in the recorded discussion. Any permit or installation steps required by municipal building or permit staff were not specified in the hearing record.

The meeting included only this zoning item; board members completed roll call at the start and approved the minutes for the prior meeting before hearing the variance request.

For readers: the variance was applied under Mineral Zoning Ordinance No. 2779, Article 3, Section 315 (Supplemental lot and yard requirements), as cited on the hearing agenda.