ZBA approves use variance to convert 580 River Street lot to off‑street parking for Crispin's Automotive

The Troy Zoning Board of Appeals voted Oct. 1 to grant a use variance allowing the owner of Crispin's Automotive to demolish the structure at 580 River Street and convert the site to off-street parking for the adjacent repair business.

Pat McDonough, the owner’s agent, told the board the parcel was purchased in October 2018 and that the owner intends to demolish the derelict building and use the site as parking to improve business operations and vehicle safety. McDonough said asbestos had been identified and removed this summer and that a demolition permit was issued the day of the hearing.

In support of the variance, the applicant argued the hardship is an “opportunity loss” because lack of off-street parking has restricted business throughput and led to vehicles being damaged while parked curbside. The applicant said converting the lot to parking would improve safety and business operations.

Board members discussed the four tests for a use variance — reasonable rate of return/hardship, uniqueness, alteration of neighborhood character, and whether the hardship is self-created — and concluded the record supported granting the variance. The board noted other vacant lots on the same street and said demolition and conversion to parking would not adversely alter the overall character of the commercial/mixed-use area.

The board adopted a negative declaration for the unlisted action (staff framed it as an unlisted SEQR action) and approved the use variance. The agent said the owner might later upgrade the surface from compacted stone to asphalt with proper permitting and potential planning-board site-plan review if a higher-quality surface is proposed.