Goshen Zoning Board denies area variance for pavilion at 2 Jessica Court

The Goshen Zoning Board of Appeals on July 7 denied an after‑the‑fact area variance for a pavilion built at 2 Jessica Court, rejecting the applicant’s request to keep a permanent structure 10 feet from the side property line where the town code requires a 30-foot setback.

The board’s decision followed public testimony from neighbors and a lengthy discussion among members about precedent, permit history and whether the issue was self-created. The vote to deny the variance was 3–2. The board said a written decision explaining the rationale will be available within 30 days and the building department will follow up on next steps.

The variance request covered a 15‑by‑20-foot pavilion the homeowner built to replace an earlier, temporary gazebo. Neighbor Tim Ferraro, whose property abuts 2 Jessica Court, submitted a written objection saying the applicant “had no regard for the zoning regulations nor the permit process” and asking the board not to “rubber stamp the variance.” Another letter in the record from Darius Hunter supported the pavilion and said it “does not affect…