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Clay Zoning Board OKs Side‑yard and Height Variances for Detached Garage at 8285 Oswego Road
Summary
The Clay Zoning Board of Appeals on April 13 unanimously approved area variances to reduce the side‑yard setback from 20 to 9 feet and raise the accessory structure height limit from 12 to 18 feet to permit a 16×24 detached garage at 8285 Oswego Road; Planning reported no remonstrance.
The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Clay unanimously approved area variances April 13 to allow a detached 16‑by‑24‑foot garage at 8285 Oswego Road.
Steve Calocerinos, P.E., of Calocerinos Engineering, representing applicant Robert Aluzzo of John Anthony Properties LLC, told the board the owner recently began a complete renovation and wants a detached garage so tenants have additional storage and to avoid losing a side entrance if a garage were attached. Calocerinos said the proposed design follows standard building practices and is compatible with nearby properties.
Calocerinos addressed the five statutory standards for area variances, saying the requested reductions — a side‑yard setback from 20 feet to 9 feet and an increase in maximum accessory height from 12 feet to 18 feet — would not create an undesirable change to neighborhood character, that no feasible alternatives exist given the house orientation and side door, that the variances were the minimum necessary for the project, and that adverse impacts are unlikely. He acknowledged the need was self‑created by the property owner’s design choice.
Planning & Development Commissioner Brian Bender confirmed the Planning Department completed required notifications and received no remonstrance to the application. He reminded the board that, if approved, the applicant must obtain a building permit before construction.
Member Michael Becker moved to approve the variances, conditioned on substantial compliance with Exhibit A; David Porter seconded. Roll call votes by Mary Lou DesRosier, David Porter, Michael Becker and Chairperson Vivian Mason were recorded as in favor; the motion carried unanimously.
The approval allows the applicant to pursue the building permit and proceed with construction so long as the work conforms to the approved exhibit and applicable Town Code requirements.
