Cohoes ZBA tables request to split Rensselaer Avenue lot after heavy neighborhood opposition

The Cohoes Zoning Board of Appeals on May 27, 2026, voted to table an application by Remodel Now to subdivide a vacant Rensselaer Avenue parcel into two building lots after multiple residents raised concerns about parking, emergency access and the condition of adjoining properties.

Applicant Carl Godfrey told the board his client, identified in the meeting as Brady, plans to buy two neighboring buildings from his father, renovate them and construct two new two-family homes on the vacant lot. Godfrey said the proposed subdivision would produce one lot meeting the R-2 minimum of 7,500 square feet and one smaller lot of 6,500 square feet, and he sought 1,000 square feet of relief for the smaller lot. He also said the project would include off-street parking, sidewalk and road extension work, landscaping and other capital improvements.

The neighborhood reaction was strongly negative. Residents from Breslin Avenue, Continental Avenue and nearby blocks told the board they have seen increased noise, repeated emergency responses to nearby multiunit buildings, trash and abandoned vehicles, and inadequate parking. "We are opposing it" because of concerns about traffic, safety and the strain on city services, several commenters said. One speaker said a nearby apartment building had over 90 fire department calls in 2025, a statistic cited to underscore emergency-service strain.

Board members weighed the statutory factors under Section 81 of the General City Law, including whether the alleged difficulty was self-created and whether the benefit to the applicant outweighs detriment to the neighborhood. Member Jessica Duncan said the project could add four dwelling units on a dead-end street and possibly put pressure on the nearby elementary school and first responders. Member Ron LaBarr questioned relying on promises of future renovations when the deed transfer had not yet been completed. Godfrey replied that an owner-finance contract is in place and that the prospective owner is prepared to begin capital improvements immediately.

Vice Chair Kusaywa and other members recommended the applicant provide a concrete renovation plan the public and board could review. The board accepted a motion by Member Mark Cotch, seconded by Member LaBarr, to table the application so the applicant could begin cleanup and present documentation of planned improvements. The motion carried 3–1 (Kusaywa, Cotch and LaBarr in favor; Duncan opposed). The board instructed staff to notify the public about the date the application will return to the agenda.

Next steps: the applicant was told to submit a written list of capital improvements and documentation of cleanup activity before the board will reconsider the variance. The board did not vote on the variance itself at the May 27 meeting.