Grand Island Zoning Board approves variances for three properties in brief meeting

The Grand Island Zoning Board of Appeals approved multiple property variances and an extension during a brief April 2 hearing.

Chairman Robert Mesmer opened the session and introduced board members Barry Harris, John Brattle and Doug Lerman, and code enforcement officer Rhonda Tolan. The board reviewed hearing procedures and advised participants that testimony would be part of the official record.

Richard Reimer, who identified himself as the appellant for 3431 Calvada Avenue, told the board he wanted to replace a shed and place the new unit where the old shed had been. “Well, I just uh going to replace my shed,” Reimer said, explaining the new unit would sit near the fence on a laid pad and include gutters to direct water away from neighboring lots. Board members asked about placement and whether the shed would sit on concrete; Reimer said it would not. The board discussed whether a height variance was required and concluded that approving the requested setback variance would address the issue. A motion to approve the side-yard setback variance carried unanimously; members cited storage need and that the replacement would not change the character of the neighborhood.

Wyatt Tolner, identified as the appellant for 2275 Staley, asked the board for two side-yard variances to allow a 28-foot-wide house on a 53-foot lot: a 7-foot west-side setback (flipped from a prior east-side allowance) and a 1-foot east-side setback. Tolner said the 28-foot plan reduced waste compared with a 27-foot layout and avoided building over the septic. The board described the lot as narrow and atypical, approved both variance requests and said allowances were appropriate given the lot constraints.

The board also voted to extend an existing variance for 1609 Fix Road for six months after a motion to suspend the rules; the extension passed with one member abstaining because that member said they had not been part of the original decision.

In other business the board approved the minutes of March 5; one member again abstained for the same reason. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

Votes at a glance - 3431 Calvada (shed replacement): side-yard setback variance approved; rationale: storage and no undesirable change to neighborhood character; motion carried unanimously. - 2275 Staley: west-side 7-ft setback approved and east-side 1-ft setback approved to allow a 28-ft house; board cited narrow, nonconforming lot; motions carried unanimously. - 1609 Fix Road: variance extended for six months; motion carried with one abstention.

What’s next The ZBA record notes that any party aggrieved by a ZBA decision may file an Article 78 proceeding in New York State Supreme Court within 30 days after the decision is filed with the town clerk.