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Zoning board OKs 2‑foot side‑yard variance for shed at 86 Third Street
Summary
The Cohoes Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a 2‑foot side‑yard variance on May 5 to allow a pre‑built shed 8 feet from the side property line at 86 Third Street, citing site constraints including an existing retaining wall and neighbor support.
The Cohoes Zoning Board of Appeals on May 5 approved a request from applicant Anthony Costantini to place a pre‑built shed 8 feet from a side property line at 86 Third Street, granting a 2‑foot variance from the R‑2 zoning requirement of a 10‑foot side setback.
Anthony Costantini told the board the site includes a retaining wall and a 3‑foot drop close to the line, and that moving the shed to meet the 10‑foot requirement would be infeasible without disturbing the wall. He said his property extends beyond the visible brick wall and that the proposed shed would be accessed from Van Schaick Avenue. “There is a 3 foot drop there,” Costantini said, noting concerns about compromising the wall’s integrity if the shed were shifted.
Sharon Butler, commissioner of building and planning, confirmed the applicant is allowed two accessory structures and that the request concerns only the side setback. Board members said they did not view the 2‑foot relief as substantial. Member Ron LaBarr moved to approve the variance; Vice Chair Anthony Kusaywa seconded. Members cited neighborhood support (three written comments in favor) and the difficulty of altering the retaining wall as reasons to allow the relief.
The motion to approve carried unanimously, 5‑0 (Member Justin Alesio absent). Sharon Butler advised Costantini that the next step is to obtain a building permit.
The board did not attach additional conditions beyond standard permitting; the applicant was instructed to proceed with permitting as advised by staff.
