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Penfield Zoning Board approves multiple variances, clears bakery plan and holds over YMCA Way item
Summary
At a regularly scheduled Penfield Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the board (three members present) unanimously approved several area variances for accessory structures and a garage addition and granted conditional-use approval for a bakery/café at Browncroft Plaza; a mixed‑use application for 100 YMCA Way was held over because the applicant was not present.
The Penfield Zoning Board of Appeals met and approved a string of area-variance requests and a conditional-use permit on applications ranging from backyard sheds to a proposed bakery at Browncroft Plaza.
Chair opened the meeting and noted that, because only three of five board members were present, any vote to pass would have to be unanimous. "We have 5 members on the board, but as you can see, we only have 3 up here today," the Chair said, explaining the unanimity requirement.
The board approved an application from William Schroeder for an 8-by-14 accessory storage building at 40 Maple Hill Farm Road, granting a setback variance to allow 4-foot setbacks where 10 feet are normally required. Schroeder told the board the shed will store lawn equipment and family items; a board member noted a neighboring structure with similar placement and recommended approval. The board classified the matter as a Type 2 action and approved the variance unanimously.
Jamie Messina, representing Jonathan and Rachel Messina of 56 Hampstead Drive, explained that the original proposal had been reduced from about 2,400 square feet to roughly half that size before the hearing. Board members said the voluntary reduction made the request more acceptable; the board approved the variance after a Type 2 classification, noting planned uses such as storing a boat and lawn equipment.
Owners Judith Principe and Jeff Entz received approval to expand a garage at 40 Woodcrest Drive after the board discussed unique lot constraints that treat several sides of their property as front yards for setback purposes. The board cited safety reasons for moving vehicles into a garage rather than leaving them visible at the roadway and approved the application with the usual permitting conditions.
At 2505 Browncroft Boulevard, the board granted conditional-use approval to tenant applicant Anthony DeBola to open a bakery/café in a plaza owned by Calvary Chapel of Rochester Incorporated. DeBola told the board the business would serve baked goods and coffee, seat about 25–30 people, operate roughly from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and be closed on Sundays; he said there would be no outdoor seating at opening. Neighbors who spoke, including Bill Veil and Sandra Gastrelick, supported the concept and opposed drive-through service. The board approved the conditional use with standard conditions requiring all necessary permits and health-department approvals.
The board approved a replacement 20-by-20 accessory structure at 22 Jewelberry Drive for Mike Salway (recorded in the file as Mike Solway in the application text), after discussing the number of setback variances needed and conditioning approval on removal of an existing carport and shed and on matching the new structure to the house exterior.
An application for a mixed‑use development exception at 100 YMCA Way (Penfield Realty LLC) was held over after the applicant and the engineer did not appear; the board recessed briefly and then agreed to place the matter on the next meeting agenda.
All approvals were unanimous among the three members present; board members repeatedly emphasized routine permitting steps (building permits, fees, and health-department sign-offs) that applicants must complete before work begins. The meeting adjourned after the final item was postponed.
