Thompson Zoning Board approves two area variances, leaves another application open

The Town of Thompson Zoning Board of Appeals approved area variances for two properties and left another application open at a meeting on April 14, 2026.

Tim Gottlieb, representative for Doherty‑Pharmus, told the board the owners of 74 Gold Point Road in Rock Hill plan to demolish the existing house and garage and rebuild a larger two‑story house. Gottlieb said the applicants provided the well location and building elevations requested by the board. Board members asked about site details including the sewer location and whether construction would affect a nearby right‑of‑way; Gottlieb said the sewer location remains unchanged and the proposed work will not hinder the right‑of‑way. After considering the variance criteria, the board voted to approve all variances as requested (motion by Phyllis Perry; second by Jay Mendels). The transcript records "All in favor, 0 opposed." The variances sought included reductions in each side yard setback (to 5.7 feet and 6.2 feet), a combined side‑yard reduction to 11.9 feet, and an increase in lot coverage from the 10 percent limit to 25.6 percent.

John Lonergan, owner of 105 Lake Shore Drive in Monticello, said his home is a pre‑existing nonconforming structure and that the only proposed new work is a covered gazebo projecting slightly beyond the existing deck. Lonergan provided an updated survey at the board's request to show separation distances. Board members questioned whether moving existing stairs or altering the gazebo roofline could reduce nonconformity; Lonergan said the stairs have been in place for many years and the gazebo will not be closer to the property line than the stairs. He also said the house is more than 100 feet from the lake and has not experienced flooding. The board applied the five statutory variance factors; the panel split on whether the request was "substantial" (three members found it substantial and Chairman Richard McClernon opposed that finding) and split on whether the difficulty was self‑created (three voted that it was and one dissented). Despite those split findings on two factors, the board voted to approve all requested variances for the Lake Shore Drive property (motion by Phyllis Perry; second by Darren Miller). The transcript records "All in favor, 0 opposed."

For the 124 Haddock Road application (applicant: Ioan Dubovici), no representative attended. Because the legal notice for the hearing had been properly mailed and published, the board opened the matter to public comment; none appeared. The board voted to hold both the application and its public hearing open until the May 12, 2026 meeting to allow the applicant another opportunity to appear (motions by board members Jay Mendels and Darren Miller).

The board also noted that the application for Unit 9 at 968 Old Liberty Road (Tara Acres) was withdrawn before the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.

Votes at a glance: approvals were recorded for the variances at 74 Gold Point Road and 105 Lake Shore Drive; the 124 Haddock Road application was continued to May 12, 2026; the Unit 9 bungalow expansion application was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

Next steps: The board will revisit the 124 Haddock Road application at its May 12, 2026 meeting. No further public comment was recorded for the approved items at the April 14 session.