Zoning board approves side‑yard variance for 85 Lincoln Avenue addition in Saratoga Springs

The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals on April 7 approved an area variance allowing a second‑floor addition at 85 Lincoln Avenue, reducing the required side‑yard setback from 8 feet to 2.4 feet (5.6 feet of relief, or 70% of the requirement).

The board adopted a draft motion that found the applicants had demonstrated the benefit could not be achieved by other feasible means, noted comparables in the neighborhood with similar encroachments, and concluded the addition would not create an undesirable change in neighborhood character. The motion also said permeability requirements for the lot would be met and that, while the difficulty is self‑created by the desire to enlarge the house, that fact was not fatal to the application. The motion was dated April 7, 2025.

Board members said they would add a staff note encouraging water‑mitigation measures such as gutters because of the proximity of the neighboring house, and reminded that permit review would trigger applicable fire‑safety and building‑code checks. The public hearing had been opened earlier in the process and the board closed public comment before voting.

The vote was recorded as: Christopher LaPointe — in favor; Jonah Cohen — in favor; Shaffer Gaston — in favor; Otis Maxwell — in favor; Brendan Daly — in favor; Gage Simpson — in favor. The motion passed 6‑0.

The application was listed on the record as the appeal of Brett and Brianne Fuller, tax parcel 165.84‑1‑52, in the Urban Residential‑2 (UR‑2) district. The board’s written decision includes findings under the Unified Development Ordinance that the variance may be substantial but is mitigated by neighborhood comparables and proposed mitigation measures; the decision is dated April 7, 2025.

The board’s approval does not itself authorize construction; standard permit review and building‑code enforcement will apply before any work begins.