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Guilderland zoning board approves fence and pool variances, continues request for tall fence; signs approved
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the Zoning Board approved a 6‑foot privacy fence variance at 29 Benjamin St and a pool variance at 27 Fliegel Ave, approved a sign at 1814 Western Ave, and continued an 8‑foot fence request for 1685 Western Ave for further review.
The Town of Guilderland Zoning Board of Appeals approved two area variances and a sign permit and continued one fence variance case during its May 20 meeting.
Why it matters: The board’s routine approvals allow property owners to alter yards and signage in ways that local zoning normally restricts; the continued case signals additional review is needed where infrastructure and site‑plan conditions may constrain the project.
29 Benjamin Street (Nicole Famiano): The board approved an area variance permitting approximately 90 linear feet of 6‑foot privacy fencing. The applicant said the fenced area is effectively an unused side yard. There were no public comments and the board found the matter to be a Type II action under SEQRA, requiring no further environmental review. The motion to approve passed 4‑0.
27 Fliegel Avenue (Lisa Parker): The board approved an area variance to permit a pool in a side yard. Parker said her property has no backyard because of a 1980s subdivision and that the proposed pool replaces an existing damaged pool; plantings and stone fencing screen the front of the property. The board treated this as a Type II SEQRA action and approved the variance 4‑0.
1685 Western Avenue (Viola Desch): The board heard testimony and reviewed updated photos for a request to permit roughly 150 linear feet of 8‑foot fencing on the northern side of the property. Carol Desch said the nearby Costco property is at a higher elevation and that the proposed fence location follows an existing fence line; she said the fence would step down to 6 feet beyond the easterly property boundary and that the applicant may later seek an 8‑foot fence on the west side of Lawton Terrace. Town engineer Jesse Fraine noted a 6‑foot fence is conditioned by site plan approval and flagged a sewer lateral near the proposed fence alignment; Jenn Smith, speaking on behalf of Pyramid Companies, expressed support for the 8‑foot height on the northern side. The board continued the case for further evaluation rather than voting that evening.
Sign permit — 1814 Western Avenue (Hellenic Cuisine Zante): The board approved installation of a sign for Hellenic Cuisine Zante. Chairwoman Elizabeth Lott moved to approve the sign and the motion carried 4‑0.
Next steps: Approved applicants may proceed subject to any site‑plan or permit conditions noted; the Desch fence request will return for further review once outstanding issues about site plan conditioning and underground utilities are addressed.
