Guilderland Zoning Board approves chicken coop, undersized-lot dwelling and front-yard shed; signage hearing continued

Chairwoman Elizabeth Lott opened the Town of Guilderland Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on April 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. and led the board through a series of area-variance and minor site-plan items. The board voted unanimously on multiple variances and approved one minor site-plan amendment.

The board approved an area variance for Alexa and David Sears to permit a chicken coop within a side yard at 1633 Angelina Terrace. David Sears described the proposed arrangement during the public hearing; no public comments were recorded. Chairwoman Lott stated that “this is a Type II SEQRA action therefore no SEQRA motion is necessary,” and the board voted 5–0 to grant the variance (motion by Chairwoman Lott; second by Sharon Cupoli).

The board also approved an area variance requested by Steven Gluck to allow an accessory structure (a shed) in the front yard of 2766 Furbeck. Board members applied the standard five-factor variance analysis discussed on the record — neighborhood character, feasible alternatives, substantiality of the variance, environmental impact, and whether the difficulty was self-created. The board found the variance to be substantial but concluded the structure would not produce an undesirable change to neighborhood character, would not have an adverse environmental impact, and that topography and the locations of the well, septic and leach field limited feasible alternatives. The Zoning Administrator was authorized to implement the decision; the motion carried unanimously.

A separate variance to allow a dwelling on an undersized lot at 130 G I Rd was approved for applicant Gabriel August. The existing parcel is 0.35 acres, while the minimum lot size required is 1.0 acre; the applicant also requested relief from the frontage-on-public-right-of-way requirement. Sharon Cupoli read the legal notice and the public hearing was opened; neighbor Bryan O'Rile of 121 G I Rd spoke in support. After closing the hearing the board voted 5–0 to approve the variances (motion by Chairwoman Lott; second by Nicole Ventresca-Cohen).

The board reviewed an application from Adirondack Signs for 1583 Western Ave to permit a total of 165 square feet of signage where 50 square feet is permitted and to place a sign 11 feet from the front property line where a 20-foot setback is required. The applicant presented revised sign arrangements; no members of the public spoke. The board closed the hearing on the record and adjourned the case to a future meeting date for further consideration.

Burger King at 1991 Western Ave presented minor site-plan adjustments to comply with accessibility requirements. The proposed adjustments alter parking-space dimensions but keep the same total number of spaces and retain a single-lane drive-thru; the board treated the proposal as a minor site-plan amendment and approved the amended plan unanimously.

The board also approved a replacement sign panel for a new tenant at 2590 Western Ave and approved the March 4 and March 18 meeting minutes. With no further business, Chairwoman Lott moved to adjourn and the meeting ended by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance - 1633 Angelina Terrace (Sears) — area variance (chicken coop in side yard): approved, motion Lott, second Cupoli, 5–0. - 2766 Furbeck (Gluck) — area variance (front-yard accessory structure): approved, unanimous. - 130 G I Rd (August) — variances to build on 0.35-acre lot and for frontage: approved, motion Lott, second Ventresca-Cohen, 5–0. - 1991 Western Ave (Burger King) — minor site-plan amendment for accessibility: approved, unanimous. - 1583 Western Ave (Adirondack Signs) — signage variance hearing: public hearing closed; case adjourned.

Next steps Adjourned cases (including the 1583 Western Ave signage application and the hearing on fencing at 3072 New Williamsburg Dr) were continued to future meetings; the board did not set dates on the record.