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Planning Board denies use variance for Palmyra building conversion
Summary
The Wayne County Planning Board voted 12–0 to deny a use variance that would have allowed conversion of a ground-floor garage at 244 E. Main St. in Palmyra into two rental units, citing neighborhood context and incomplete code review information.
The Wayne County Planning Board voted to deny a use variance for 244 E. Main Street in the Village of Palmyra after the applicant and board members discussed how the proposed ground-floor residences fit within the local overlay district. Paul White, the building owner and applicant, told the board the project would convert the garage into two rental residential units and that an architect had prepared floor plans but a code review and sprinkler assessment had not yet been completed.
"The space above the garage has another residential unit, and renting the space below for a commercial purpose is disruptive to the residents above," Paul White said, explaining the rationale for converting the space to residential use. Board members pressed for details about parking, adjacency of neighboring properties, and whether similar use variances had been permitted. Mr. White said the property has dedicated parking to serve one car per rental unit and that surrounding buildings are single-family homes.
After discussion, Mr. Steve Guthrie moved to deny the use variance; Mr. Bert Peters seconded. The motion carried, recorded as 12 ayes and 0 nays. The board noted that the applicant may pursue alternate approaches that address the hardship criteria and complete required code reviews before resubmitting.
