Depew zoning board approves variance for shed at 90 Bonita Drive

At its Sept. 11, 2025 meeting the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Depew approved an area variance permitting a shed to be sited within the minimum side-yard setback at 90 Bonita Drive.

The applicant, who identified himself in the hearing as Derek Kinkin, told the board he wanted to place the shed inside an existing fenced area so he could access a snowblower without carrying it across the yard. He said the proposed siting would “stay 10 feet away from the house,” and that the alternative — adding a garage or basement — would be ‘‘massive’’ in cost.

Board members asked whether placing the shed would block traffic or public passage; code staff reported no expected obstruction because the shed would sit inside an existing fenced yard. The applicant said the proposed shed would be about 10 feet, 6 inches tall and that the existing fence is 6 feet tall. The variance request recorded in the application sought 5 feet of relief from the relevant setback requirement.

A resident who spoke during the hearing urged the applicant to leave sufficient space between the shed and the fence to allow maintenance; another commenter expressed concerns about keeping the sidewalk clear in winter. No formal opposition to the variance was recorded.

Member Menard moved to approve the variance; Member Galvin seconded. Roll-call votes recorded Overholt — yes; Galvin — yes; Menard — yes; Yarborough — yes; Chairman Delaney — yes. The motion carried, 5–0. The board did not record any amendments or conditions to the approval. Staff told the applicant he could pick up the permit in the municipal office once processing was complete.

The board’s action was taken under the town’s area-variance process; the board read the applicant’s written answers to the statutory variance criteria into the record before voting.