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BZA grants variances to subdivide 137 Madison Ave into three narrow lots
Summary
The Albany Board of Zoning Appeals approved three area variances to allow lot widths of about 16 feet each at the property commonly known as 137 Madison Avenue, enabling the owner to proceed with a legal subdivision that staff said had previously been denied by the Planning Department.
The Albany Board of Zoning Appeals on June 11 granted three area variances allowing lot widths of roughly 16.13 to 16.64 feet at a property on Madison Avenue formerly referenced as 137 Madison Ave, where the MUNC (Mixed Use Neighborhood Center) zoning district requires a minimum 20-foot lot width.
The applicant told the board the property currently functions as three adjoined “grow house” buildings that were historically separate and that the requested change is a legal subdivision to restore three separate parcels. The applicant said the change would be “paper” subdivision only, not physical demolition or redevelopment, and that it would make operations, insurance and financing easier.
Planning staff and board members discussed the history of the lots. Staff said the parcel records show a split in 1941 and a consolidation around 1979; staff also noted that a prior attempt to record the subdivision was denied by the Planning Department because the proposed new parcels would create additional nonconformities. Staff explained that if the BZA approves the variances, the applicant may proceed with the lot modification process; if denied, the lot-modification application would be closed.
Board members asked whether the change would trigger inclusionary-zoning requirements; staff and a board member clarified that the local inclusionary threshold cited in the discussion applies at 20 units and would not be triggered by this subdivision. The board voted to approve area variances 2025-3, 2025-5 and 2025-6; the recorded votes were Serena (yes), Marta (yes) and Julissa (yes). The motion passed.
