Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board denies 19 McMartin Street fence application, directs applicant to ZBA for variances
Summary
The board found a requested six-foot privacy fence in a front-yard setback requires area variances and denied the site-plan application pending ZBA variances, formally recommending the applicant appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals on May 21, 2026.
The Johnstown Planning Board considered an application to install a six-foot privacy fence within a front-yard setback at 19 McMartin Street and denied the application because the proposed height and front-yard placement require area variances.
Board Member Betsy Camarra moved to deny the application and Board Member Roberta Thomas seconded; the motion was recorded as 5 Ayes, 0 Noes. The board then voted on a recommendation that the applicant seek variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals; the recommendation (motion by Board Member Chandra Cotter, seconded by Board Member Betsy Camarra) passed 5 Ayes, 0 Noes. The minutes instruct the applicant to appear before the ZBA on May 21, 2026.
The applicant presented photos intended to show that the fence would not impact sight lines; Code Enforcement confirmed a variance is required for both the height and the front-yard placement but otherwise had no issues with the fence request.
Next steps: applicant must apply for area variances to the Zoning Board of Appeals; the Planning Board’s denial is conditional on the applicant receiving the required variances.
