Zoning board approves two‑unit variance at West 6th Street, denies owner’s three‑unit request

ERIE, Pa. — Property owner Lynette Thompson asked the Erie Zoning Hearing Board on June 9 for a dimensional variance to create three small studio apartments at 10007 West 6th Street, but the board instead approved a reduced two‑unit variance.

Thompson explained she has owned the gutted building for two years and proposed three small studio units to provide affordable housing for seniors, students and traveling employees. "Three units would be better," she said, describing the project as a pilot to provide more housing options. Staff and board members clarified that the current zoning requires about 2,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit and that a three‑unit conversion would need roughly 6,000 square feet; the parcel measures about 1,991 square feet.

Board members and staff discussed neighborhood precedent — noting other two‑unit properties on similar lots — and noted the increased building‑code obligations that a third unit would trigger, including sprinkler and other systems that can make a project significantly more expensive. Tom Seabald said the compromise would allow a two‑unit conversion as a practical alternative.

The board voted to approve a dimensional variance for a two‑unit residential configuration; the motion was made by Tom Seabald and seconded by Ed Dawson and carried unanimously. The applicant indicated she would accept the two‑unit approval if the three‑unit request could not be granted.

The case is recorded as Appeal 13339; the board’s decision limits the relief to a two‑unit outcome and leaves any future adaptive reuse or second‑floor proposals subject to applicable building and zoning approvals.