Depew zoning board denies variance to widen driveway at 231 Terrace Boulevard amid neighbors' complaints

The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Depew voted to deny a requested area variance to widen the front driveway at 231 Terrace Boulevard, saying neighbors’ concerns about commercial activity and neighborhood character weighed against the change.

The denial came after multiple neighbors testified that the homeowner had parked large construction trailers at the property, that the yard was poorly maintained and that the proposed driveway would further commercialize the residential lot. The board voted 3-0 to deny the variance.

The variance application, filed to permit a driveway wider than allowed in front of the principal dwelling, sought 17 feet of relief. Neighbors said they had seen a large enclosed cargo trailer—described in testimony as at least 13 feet tall with ladders on the roof—and a dump trailer parked in the front yard. “Since this guy has moved in, the yard is atrocious,” Brian Sayles, 32 Lee High, told the board. Kristen Whalen, who said she lives at 237 Terrace Boulevard, provided recent photos and said the yard and trailers made the house look like a commercial operation.

Village staff and legal counsel told the board that even if the driveway variance were granted, separate approvals would be required to allow commercial vehicles to be parked in a residential district. The code enforcement officer told the applicant through a translator that “even if you were to get this approved today to park in front of the principal dwelling, you're not allowed to keep commercial vehicles in a residential neighborhood.”

Board members also cited precedent and consistency along Terrace Boulevard. Member Spada observed that “there are no other properties that have established what you want to do, which is put a driveway in front of the house,” and said allowing the variance could set a precedent. The board heard from three neighbors opposing the variance during the public comment period; the applicant spoke through a translator and said limited garage space and vehicle tickets motivated the request.

After public comment the board considered a motion to deny the variance and recorded a 3-0 vote in favor of denial. Acting Chairman Patrick Delaney announced the result to the applicant.

The board’s decision addresses only the driveway variance; any commercial-parking or business-use questions would require separate applications and approvals under village code.