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ZBA hears plan to convert 4-unit to 5-unit at 16 School Street; parking and drainage concerns raised
Summary
Property owner Andrea Harwin asked the ZBA to allow a fifth unit at 16 School Street. Commissioners and neighbors discussed parking constraints and stormwater risks; the transcript does not record a definitive final vote on this item in the provided excerpt.
The Glens Falls City Zoning Board of Appeals discussed a proposal on Dec. 15 to convert an existing four-unit building at 16 School Street into a five-unit multifamily dwelling.
Owner Andrea Harwin told the board the change would split a large first-floor three-bedroom unit into two one-bedroom units with limited physical alteration to the building, preserving historic interior features. "The changes would be very little," Harwin said, adding she plans to retain hedges and green space and that she is exploring off-site parking options including a Clinton Avenue garage and nearby Elm Street lots.
Board members asked how many spaces currently exist (Harwin said one) and noted the code requires more parking on a per-unit basis. Commissioners said that converting the unit increases the number of units on paper even if the headcount of occupants remains similar, which affects parking requirements.
Neighbors raised concerns about drainage and stormwater on nearby Sanford Street, noting a history of flooding and high water tables in some backyards. Jim Hume (72 South Street) addressed the board about parking access and the nearby empty lot the applicant has discussed. Multiple neighbors warned that additional units could exacerbate congestion and drainage problems in an area they described as tight and prone to flooding.
A county planning staffer was cited in the record as classifying the action a "Type 2" action under the referenced code section (the transcript cites the county planning position), meaning no further SEQRA-type action was required. Commissioners acknowledged competing priorities: the city is trying to add housing while keeping neighborhood livability and mitigating stormwater impacts.
The transcript for the evening records extensive discussion and public comment but does not show an explicit final roll-call vote for the 16 School Street conversion in the supplied excerpt. Commissioners instructed the applicant on next steps, including potential planning-board review and ensuring parking arrangements are addressed in subsequent permit or planning processes.
Next steps noted in the meeting included consulting the planning department and clarifying parking arrangements and drainage mitigation in follow-up materials to the board or planning staff.
