Board approves variance to merge 58 and 62nd Street into single-family residence

The Troy Board of Zoning Appeals approved a use variance for properties at 58 and 62nd Street, allowing the owners to merge the parcels and occupy the combined structure as a single-family home.

Agent Neil Plone said the buildings were constructed as a paired set, with interconnected attics and an unconventional party wall. Plone told the board engineers had found extensive structural problems and asbestos and that rebuilding necessary fire‑rating separations and other improvements would be cost‑prohibitive if the owners were required to subdivide into multiple units. "For 8 units, ... it was coming up to being about 30% or more before we even got specific per unit to build," Plone said, arguing the economics favored a single-family solution.

Board members reviewed the five variance factors and found the hardship was not self-created, the situation was unique to the parcel, and that approval would not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The board treated the application as an unlisted SEQR action with a negative declaration and approved the use variance.

The owners, Michael and Vicky Gardner, were described in the record as seeking a single-family use and avoiding subdivision; the board's approval authorizes a zoning path for that conversion but does not replace any required building, structural or permit reviews.