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Zoning board approves side‑yard setback variance to allow 2‑family conversion on 2nd Avenue
Summary
The Danbury Zoning Board approved a variance reducing a required side‑yard setback from 15 feet to 6.5 feet so an existing single‑family home at 2nd Avenue can be converted to a two‑family dwelling; the board cited lot configuration and a preexisting structure as hardship reasons.
The Danbury Zoning Board on a voice vote approved a variance to reduce a side‑yard setback from 15 feet to 6.5 feet so an existing single‑family structure at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Oakland Avenue can be converted to a two‑family dwelling.
Greg Groenisen, an attorney for West Associates 1 LLC, told the board the structure has been in the West family for decades and that the conversion will largely use the existing footprint, removing a small deck and resizing a staircase. "We are asking this board to approve a variance. We need, just a simple variance for a side yard setback from, 15 feet to 6 and a half feet," Groenisen said.
During discussion, a board member identified a practical difficulty on the lot, noting the property faces two front yards and has limited side‑yard depth. "The reason I'm approving this application, the property has a hardship being that it's on 2 front yards," said Mister Rivas, a zoning board member, as he moved approval. The motion to approve was seconded and the chair announced the motion passed.
The applicant also noted a notice typo that listed the owner incorrectly; Groenisen asked staff to record the legal owner as West Associates 1 LLC. The board did not attach additional conditions to the variance during the meeting. The board closed the public hearing before taking the vote.
The approval allows the conversion to proceed under the plan submitted; subsequent permitting or building‑code review by city departments may still be required before construction begins.
