Neighbors raise daycare concerns as board reviews garage-to-living-space conversion at 4 Bobrick Road

The Poughkeepsie Zoning Board of Appeals opened a public hearing July 14 on an application to convert a detached two‑car garage at 4 Bobrick Road into conditioned living space with windows and a half bath. The owner, John Arouse, and his agent described the work as a residential conversion that would replace two garage doors with double‑casement windows and add insulation and interior finishes.

Neighbors attended the hearing and one longtime resident expressed surprise and concern, saying he initially feared a commercial daycare center was being proposed. The owner and the board clarified that the applicant operates a family day care home licensed by New York State and that family day care homes are exempt from local zoning review in the city’s code; a daycare center — a separate, larger facility — would not be permitted in the district.

Board members and staff discussed the zoning code’s technical definition of front‑yard parking and whether the proposed conversion would change on‑site parking patterns. Staff confirmed the applicant provided required mailing and posting affidavits for the public hearing.

The board said it would prepare a resolution for the August 12 meeting and include language addressing neighbors’ concerns about commercial daycare activity in the accessory structure. The chair directed staff to prepare a draft resolution and the board voted to adjourn the application to Aug. 12 so members could review a resolution before taking a final vote.

No final variance vote was recorded on July 14. The record shows the board distinguished between the family‑day‑care status the owner currently operates (which is exempt from local zoning review) and a daycare center (which would require separate zoning approval and is not permitted in the district).