Thompson ZBA approves multiple variances, denies trailer-as-shed; several hearings continued

The Town of Thompson Zoning Board of Appeals on June 9, 2026 approved a series of area variances for residential properties while denying one request to formalize a box trailer as a shed.

Chairman Richard McClernon convened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and the board proceeded through several pending applications, voting on each variance after reviewing the five statutory factors the board must consider.

The board approved four variance requests related to the Dubovici property at 124 Haddock Road: the existing shed (variance #1) was approved for the current structure only and must meet zoning requirements if moved or replaced; a requested reduction in the animal-housing setback was approved only after the applicant amended the plan to place the coop at least 75 feet from all property lines; and a modest one-side-yard setback reduction to 18.3 feet was approved. The board denied a separate Dubovici request to allow a box trailer to be used as a shed but gave the owner nine months to come into compliance. Cindy Ruff moved the motion to approve the shed variance and Jay Mendels moved the motion to deny the trailer-as-shed request; Shannon Cilento and Sean Walker were among board members who seconded and voted unanimously on recorded motions.

The board also approved all requested variances for a demo-and-rebuild project at 92 Middletown Point Road (Knight & Martin), finding the new footprint generally consistent with the existing structure and noting HOA approval and corrected mailings.

At 170 Pleasant Street Ext., the board approved variances to legalize an unpermitted deck addition after the applicant agreed to the permitting and inspection process required to confirm code compliance.

Several applications were continued. A request by Isreal Lederberger for a swimming pool at 357 Fraser Road — which would place the pool closer to the front lot line than the dwelling — was held open after the board determined the legal notice had not been mailed properly; the board invited additional public comment and set the hearing to continue July 14, 2026. The board also held open the application for Sam and Dena Wiesel, 479 Sackett Lake Road, after neighbor Robyn Jacobs submitted correspondence alleging repeated blockage of a right-of-way (Lee Road) and access problems; the board asked the applicants to clarify deeded access rights. A variance request for Unit 9 at Tara Acres (968 Old Liberty Road) was likewise held open so the applicant’s attorney could attend and Planning Board sewer/runoff questions could be resolved.

Attorney Steve Vegliante advised the board that the Dubovici, Knight & Martin, Lederberger, Wiesel and Radoncic applications were Type 2 actions under SEQRA, allowing the ZBA to proceed with consideration.

The board repeatedly made clear approvals were subject to conditions listed in the motions — including timeframes for trailer removal or modification, and the need to pull permits and pass inspections where work had already been performed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. The board will reconvene July 14, 2026 to continue open hearings and consider any returned materials.