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Jamestown board approves use variance for three‑family unit, 4–2, contingent on driveway and inspections
Summary
The Jamestown Zoning Board of Appeals approved a use-variance request to allow a three-family dwelling at the applicant’s property, voting 4–2 to grant the variance contingent on completion of two off‑street parking spaces and required inspections; a nearby resident had submitted written opposition citing noise, parking and prior police involvement.
The Jamestown Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4–2 to approve a use-variance request to convert a property into a three-family dwelling, contingent on completion of off-street parking and required inspections.
Jennifer Dawson, a Jamestown resident, submitted written opposition read into the record by the clerk, saying the variance standards under New York State law and Jamestown zoning were not met. "These criteria are not satisfied," the letter said, adding that repeated noise (including barking dogs), parking and access problems, multiple police incidents and ongoing boat-repair activity in a garage had already disrupted nearby homes.
The board asked the applicant, Jason Kaylor, to clarify access, occupancy and financial hardship. Kaylor said the driveway had an obstruction removed and is "wide enough to actually accommodate two vehicles wide and two vehicles deep" and that he plans to extend asphalt to finish the driveway. On finances, Kaylor said he took out a $40,000 mortgage to buy the property, that his mother pays a reduced rent, and that one existing unit rents for $700 per month; he said he did not expect to see a profit "for at least...10 years" given taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.
A staff member reported that city code-enforcement records showed no violations for the property and that the Jamestown Police Department "has no record" since the previously referenced entry in the record.
A board member moved to approve the use variance conditional on the driveway being finished so that two vehicles could be parked off-street and on completion of required inspections, including an electrical inspection and a certificate of occupancy sign-off from the Department of Development; Mr. Oko seconded the motion. The motion language, as stated during debate, was that "the use variance can be approved with the completion of the driveway so that there can be two vehicles to have off street parking." The clerk then called roll: Mr. Kenyan — yes; Mr. Mia — yes; Mr. Peno — yes; Mr. Russell — no; Mr. Thomas — yes; Chair Oneto — no. The motion passed 4–2.
The board instructed the applicant to work with "Kenny" and the Department of Development to complete the driveway and inspections before occupancy of the third unit is authorized. The record includes a written neighbor opposition that names the parcel as 20 Wharton Street (parcel 387.14-4-20); the petition form read aloud at the hearing identified the applicant's address as 20 Morton Street and the subject property as 16 Morton Street, a discrepancy noted in the hearing record.
The board’s approval is conditioned on completing the off-street parking and on passing the required inspections; no other agenda items were discussed at the close of the segment.
