Depew zoning board tables variance request to convert garage at 125 Meadowlawn Road into accessory unit

Acting Chairman Patrick Delaney and the Village of Depew Zoning Board of Appeals on July 24 voted to table an application seeking variances to convert the second story of an existing three-bay garage at 125 Meadowlawn Road into an accessory dwelling unit. The applicant’s representative asked for time to revise the application after board members and nearby residents raised legal and neighborhood concerns.

The matter was introduced in a legal notice read at the start of the meeting: "the application of Ryan Renshaw and Shaheen and Associates, on behalf of Caleb Choudhury for the property located at 125 Meadowlawn Road... They are requesting 2 variances," including relief under chapter 260 of the village code for an accessory housing unit and for R-2 dimensional requirements. Ryan Renshaw, identifying himself as a senior associate with Shenney Associates, told the board he planned to convert the upper story of the existing garage into a family accessory bedroom/unit and was "asking for those 2 zone variances" so he could apply for local building permits.

Why it matters: Board members and legal counsel concluded the proposed conversion may change the classification of the property from a single- or two-family use to a multiple-dwelling use under the village code, which would trigger substantially different lot, yard and parking standards. Neighbors said approving…