Zoning board keeps hearing open on 334 Columbus Ave. home‑office conversion

On Jan. 14, 2026 the Tuckahoe Zoning Board opened a public hearing on an area‑variance application for 334 Columbus Ave., where homeowner Bryan Rippee told the board he seeks to "renovate the storage area to create a home office as both he and his wife work remotely." The board heard a short presentation, asked technical questions and kept the hearing open pending revised drawings.

Board members questioned whether the basement is finished and raised drainage and egress concerns. Member Christina Browne asked if the basement was finished; Mr. Rippee said the basement is finished and that the proposal is to convert the storage area into an office. The board discussed a sink in the garage and agreed that "the sink will be removed from the submitted plans." When asked whether the basement had ever flooded, Rippee said there is a drain at the foot of the garage that sometimes gets clogged and that "The water has never made its way into the basement." Assistant Building Inspector Mike Seminara asked the applicant to submit the revised set of drawings, with the sink removed, to the Building Department before the next meeting.

Chairman Tom Ringwald moved to open the public hearing; the motion was seconded by Member Serena Meteau and carried unanimously. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. After discussion, Chairman Ringwald moved to keep the hearing open to allow the applicant time to submit the requested revisions; Member Anthony Fiore Jr. seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: the applicant must deliver revised drawings to the Building Department addressing the sink and related details; the board will reconvene the public hearing at a future meeting once the submission is received.