Patchogue Board of Appeals amends and adjourns hearing on converted garage at 143 North Summit Ave

The Patchogue Village Board of Appeals on March 18 heard application 2507 from William Chiarelli seeking permission to maintain a converted garage now used as living space at 143 North Summit Avenue. The board voted to amend the application to include an existing 20-by-16 wood-frame shed and to request a lot-coverage variance; it then adjourned the matter to April 15, 2025, to allow the applicant to supply corrected lot-coverage calculations and additional dimensions.

Agent Brian Kuefner said the homeowner will remove an illegal basement apartment and is seeking to resolve multiple violations. "I'm here to fix all of these issues," Kuefner told the board, adding that demolition and reconstruction costs constrain how much work the family can afford. Kuefner described the change as moving a kitchen into the garage and opening the wall between the garage and the house to create a larger living and dining area; the existing kitchen in the original home wall, he said, will remain.

Neighbor Kenneth Balson, who lives at 139 North Summit Avenue, told the board he and other neighbors oppose the application and submitted four letters stating similar concerns. "It's horrible," Balson said, describing traffic and multiple cars at the property. A separate letter from Alisa McCookany, entered into the record, said the house has been rented in recent years and asked that any rental be limited to a single-family occupancy consistent with the neighborhood's character.

Board members identified a discrepancy in the application’s lot-coverage figures. The zoning analysis in the file showed 14.45 percent lot coverage; a board member said calculations using the drawings put coverage at about 23 percent before the deck is counted. A board member estimated the deck could add roughly 1,200 square feet, which would increase lot coverage further. The board directed the applicant to provide accurate dimensions and updated lot-coverage calculations.

During discussion the board considered whether the existing 20-by-16 shed could be converted or counted as vehicle storage; board members noted that a typical single-car space is around 9 by 18 or 9 by 20 feet and asked the applicant to provide photographs and measurements. Kuefner said one shed was purchased before 2004 and that the applicant will explore options to meet code while minimizing expense.

A motion was made to amend the application to include maintaining the existing 20-by-16 wood-frame shed and to add a lot-coverage variance request pending final square footage. The motion was seconded by Miss Murphy and carried by voice vote with at least one member signaling opposition; the board then moved to adjourn the application to its April 15 meeting to allow the applicant and staff to supply the requested materials. The adjournment motion, made by Mr. Stein and seconded by Mr. Montaigne, passed on a unanimous voice vote.

The board emphasized that the basement entrance and any separate basement kitchen will need to be addressed with planning and building staff; Kuefner reiterated the client's intent to remove the basement kitchen. The applicant was instructed to coordinate with staff members Cal and Carol to revise the submission before the April 15 hearing.