Mendon ZBA grants variance to replace unsafe barn with open carport at 3842 Clover Street

The Mendon Zoning Board of Appeals voted June 11 to grant an area variance for property at 3842 Clover Street, allowing the demolition of an unsafe two‑story, non‑conforming barn and construction of a single‑story, open carport, provided the applicant confirms setback measurements before a building permit is issued.

The presenter for the applicants told the board the barn is unsafe and expensive to restore, saying, "it would cost as much to restore it as it did for us to purchase the entire property," and described the proposed 27‑by‑21‑foot carport as lower‑profile, open‑air and designed to match existing materials. The presenter said the site is constrained by a septic field and surrounding Mendon Park on three sides, and that the new structure is intended to reduce visual impact and be more conforming than the existing barn.

Board members focused questions on site conditions, survey accuracy and alternatives. Members confirmed the carport would be open air with a metal standing‑seam roof to match the house and that gravel — not concrete — would be used beneath the carport. Board members discussed rotating the footprint but were told a rotated layout would increase the footprint, require additional columns and likely encroach on the septic field.

In reading its findings, the board cited town code provisions (town code 260‑106 on side setbacks and section 260‑8 C(3) on accessory structure coverage limits). The board record notes the lot is about 12,632.4 square feet (approximately 0.29 acres), the existing workshop/garage and barn currently total roughly 844 square feet (about 6% of lot area), and the proposed carport would increase accessory coverage to about 6.9%.

The board also noted procedural reviews: the application was referred to the Monroe County Planning Board under General Municipal Law 239‑m and was returned as a local matter, and the board determined the application qualifies as a Type II action under SRA so no further environmental review is required.

Members raised a measurement discrepancy between the plan (which shows a 2 ft 3 in side setback) and the written resolution language (which referenced 2 ft 6 in). To resolve that inconsistency the board approved the variance with a condition that, prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant must confirm to the code enforcement officer that the final side setback will be no less than 2 ft 6 in from the property line and that plan text will be reconciled at permit review.

The motion to grant the area variance was moved and recorded (moved by Vince Dick and seconded by David McKinnis in the resolution language read aloud). The chair called for a roll call; the board voiced its support and, with no opposition raised at the roll call, the chair declared the motion carried and the variance granted with the stated condition.

The board closed the public hearing and moved on to routine scheduling items for its July 23, 2026 meeting before adjourning.

What happens next: the applicant must provide the required confirmation to the code enforcement officer at building permit stage and reconcile the plan notes; the board’s approval is conditioned on that verification.