Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Garage Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ZBA pauses decision on 72 Bennett Place garage variance after neighbor objections
Summary
The board adjourned a request to increase accessory-structure area and height for a proposed detached three-car garage at 72 Bennett Place after neighbors raised sunlight, privacy and future-conversion concerns and board members noted missing elevation details. The applicant requested adjournment for revised plans.
The Amityville Zoning Board of Appeals on May 21 adjourned consideration of a request to build a detached three‑car garage at 72 Bennett Place after neighbors objected and the board identified missing technical details.
Ashley Lowe of Lowedown Expediting spoke for the applicant (Colleen Nugent), requesting variances under Section 183-23 to increase accessory-structure area from 1,000 to 1,020 square feet and height from 14 to 23 feet. Lowe said the loft would be for storage only (no plumbing, heating or air conditioning), the proposed garage meets setback requirements and the current garage would be demolished. Lowe referenced a previous, narrower 2‑foot height variance at 15 Unqua Place that she said was permitted in 2024.
Neighbors raised objections. Carole Marino of 71 Carman Place said the taller, wider garage would encumber her 60-foot backyard, reduce west-side sunlight and that she had not been contacted by the applicant. Jean Dull of 64 Bennett Place, who said she has lived in her home 34 years, expressed concern that the structure’s height could raise privacy issues and said she feared the garage might be converted to a dwelling in the future. Board member Todd Brice questioned missing elevation details, including the absence of collar ties and other second-floor elevations, and suggested the structure be made smaller to reduce impacts.
After discussion the applicant requested the application be adjourned to allow submission of revised plans and additional details. A motion to adjourn the application, made by Todd Brice and seconded by William Ordon, carried 5–0. The board did not vote on the requested variances. Todd Brice adjourned the meeting at 7:45 P.M.
The concerns recorded — reduced sunlight, loss of backyard area and the possibility of future conversion — remain unresolved pending the applicant's revised submission.
