Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Residential Addition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ZBA approves area variance for Larkins to enclose rear porch at 17 Tommy Luther Drive
Summary
The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 15 approved an area variance allowing Mark and Lisa Larkin to enclose an existing rear porch and cover existing steps, reducing the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 15.3 feet (49% relief). The motion passed 7–0.
The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals approved an area variance Sept. 15 allowing Mark and Lisa Larkin to enclose an existing rear porch and cover steps at 17 Tommy Luther Drive, reducing the rear yard setback from 30 feet to 15.3 feet.
The applicants told the board the project would enclose an existing covered porch and the steps down to a patio and add a screened porch that largely covers existing hardscape. Mark and Lisa Larkin said the property is on a dead-end and is heavily wooded, limiting visibility from the street and neighboring homes; they provided letters of neighbor support, according to the application materials and comments in the hearing.
Board members asked about permeable surface changes and whether the proposed steps would extend onto lawn area; the applicants said a small bump‑out of roughly 3 feet would encroach on lawn but that the addition would primarily cover existing patio area. Board member Jonah Cohen asked whether similar encroachments existed nearby; applicants said they were not sure. Members noted the addition would be largely not visible from the street and that at least one adjacent neighbor had expressed approval.
In a motion that cited achievability by other means, neighborhood character, and environmental impacts, the board found the application did not pose demonstrable detriment to health, safety, or welfare and moved to grant the requested area variance for a rear yard setback reduction (relief requested: 14.7 feet, 49%). The board recorded a 7–0 vote in favor.
The decision was read into the record as draft motion number 20250524 and memorializes findings that alternative designs were considered, that the variance would not create an undesirable change to neighborhood character because the addition is largely not visible from the street, and that permeability requirements for the SR district would be met.
The applicants may proceed under the terms of the resolution as approved. The board moved to the next agenda item after the vote.
