Lancaster Zoning Board OKs Six Accessory-structure Variances; One Passes 5–2

The Town of Lancaster Zoning Board of Appeals approved six area variances at its July meeting, granting property owners permission to build larger or taller accessory structures than the town zoning code allows.

The board opened with routine roll call and considered six petitions: 339 Westwood Road; 6342 Broadway; 5520 William Street; 47 Trentwood Trail North; 98 Brunk Road; and 14 Blackstone Court. Each request was approved after findings under Part 617.5(c)(17) of New York State regulations that the projects were type II actions not subject to additional environmental review.

At 339 Westwood Road, Nicholas Lower said the proposed 32-by-40 pole barn is sized to accommodate 12-foot doors for trailers and equipment. The board granted a 3-foot-10-inch height variance (proposed 19 ft 10 in versus the 16-ft maximum) and a 30-square-foot area variance for a 1,280-square-foot structure. A neighbor, Jason Mackin, told the board that nearby properties already have pole barns and urged approval; the motion carried on a unanimous roll call and the applicant was directed to follow up with the building department.

At 6342 Broadway the petitioner (appearing consistent with the clerk’s notice) asked for a 5-foot-8-inch height variance and a 1,284-square-foot area variance to build a 40-by-64 pole barn on a roughly 33.5-acre parcel for automobile storage and equipment. The board cited nearby large structures and approved the variances unanimously.

At 5520 William Street, homeowner Jeremy Light said he sought a detached garage partially in his front/side yard to avoid using limited backyard space used for children and to simplify winter access. The board approved variances for height, a 10-foot side-setback reduction (proposed 5 feet), and a 155-square-foot area increase; the applicant said he had a neighbor’s written support and committed to matching house siding and preserving trees.

At 47 Trentwood Trail North, Laurie Berry requested a 7-foot reduction in the required pool setback (placing an inground pool 3 feet from the house where code requires 10 feet) because of utility and recorded easements that constrain the backyard. The board approved the variance after confirming the site constraints and previous approvals for an earlier pool on the property.

At 98 Brunk Road, Christine Brown requested a 1-foot-4-inch increase over the 16-foot limit and a 1,250-square-foot area variance for a 40-by-40 pole barn on a five-acre lot for family vehicles and equipment. She told the board there was no plan to operate a business from the barn; members approved the variances unanimously.

The final and most contested petition was for 14 Blackstone Court, where Michael Anderson, representing the property owner, described an addition that would add garage bays and indoor courts (pickleball and racquetball), increasing the accessory structure to roughly 9,493 square feet. Anderson said the lot is nearly five acres, the addition would be largely hidden behind existing mature trees and new screening, and no commercial activity is planned. Neighbor Theresa Weaver raised concerns about wetlands on portions of the property, nighttime lighting and the scale setting a precedent for future requests. After extended discussion and multiple public comments, the motion passed on a 5–2 roll call; the applicant offered to work with a neighbor to add additional screening.

All applicants were instructed to follow up with the building department to secure required permits. Several board members raised broader questions during new business about recurring accessory-structure variance requests and whether the town’s numeric limits (for example, maximum accessory structure area and height) appropriately reflect differences in lot sizes; staff said the town will consider applying for a code-update grant when it becomes available.

Votes at a glance

- 339 Westwood Road (area and height variances): Motion by Miss Monticelli; second by Mister Zielak; vote: unanimous yes — approved. - 6342 Broadway (height and area variances): Motion by Mister Zielak; second by Miss Grubser; vote: unanimous yes — approved. - 5520 William Street (height, setback and area variances): Motion by Mister Nowak; second by Miss Grubser; vote: unanimous yes — approved. - 47 Trentwood Trail North (pool setback variance): Motion by Mister Meikle; second by Mister Zielak; vote: unanimous yes — approved. - 98 Brunk Road (height and area variances): Motion by Miss Ponicelli; second by Mister Zielak; vote: unanimous yes — approved. - 14 Blackstone Court (height and large-area variances): Motion by Mister Mikeley; second by Miss Grootser; vote: 5 yes, 2 no — approved.

What’s next

Approved applicants must coordinate with the building department for permits and inspections. The board also signaled interest in asking the town board to consider targeted zoning-code revisions — particularly numeric limits for accessory structures — to reduce recurring variance requests.