Saratoga Springs ZBA approves four variance applications, continues several others

The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals met Oct. 27 and approved four area‑variance requests while leaving several other applications open for more information or additional review.

The board approved area variances for: a porch addition at 122 North Street (appeal of Jason Duolio), placement of HVAC compressors at 19 Aurora Avenue (applicant James Hamilton), a two‑lot subdivision at 52 York Avenue (applicants Colin Christovich and Minette Carley) and a new single‑family house at 131 Bridal Avenue (applicants Kim and Mike Southern). Vote tallies and key findings are listed below. Several other applications — including projects at 116 East Avenue, 112 Fifth Avenue and 253 Nelson — remained under review or had public hearings left open for additional documentation.

Why it matters: the decisions affect front‑yard and side‑yard setback rules, lot‑coverage limits and driveway width standards in established neighborhoods, and set precedents the board pointed to when weighing similar requests in the future.

What the board decided (details)

122 North Street (area variance — porch addition) - Outcome: Approved (7–0). - What was requested: An area variance in the UR‑3 district to allow a front/setback porch where the district requires 10 feet and the proposal was 3.5 feet (relief requested approximately 6.5 feet / ~65%). - Board rationale: The board found the applicant demonstrated alternatives were infeasible, noted existing homes on the block with similar porches and setbacks, and concluded the porch would not create an undesirable change to neighborhood character though the variance is substantial. - Next steps: Permit review to follow; building permit work on the house was already in process according to the applicant.

19 Aurora Avenue (area variance…