Sodus Point Planning Board Rejects Pole-Barn Proposal at 8431 Bay Street

The Village of Sodus Point Planning Board on March 16 considered a preliminary site-plan application by Bill (William) Dixon for a 30-foot-by-60-foot pole barn at 8431 Bay Street. The proposed building would sit 5 feet from the north property line where the code requires a 12.5-foot setback and would result in 31% lot coverage where 30% is allowed. The board and public raised concerns about the size, setbacks, and how the building would fit the neighborhood's character.

Bill Dixon described his intent to build and said he had reduced his prior proposal, but the board questioned whether the structure still exceeded what the code and neighborhood would allow. Public commenter Mark Costich stated that the "planned building would not meet the aesthetic of the neighborhood," and Chair Bruce Evener emphasized setback compliance and potential adverse impacts on neighbors. Janine Fogarty's motion to approve the current application received no second and therefore failed; Bruce Evener then moved not to approve or forward the application to the zoning board, a motion seconded by Ellen Farnum and adopted 3–0 (Evener-aye, Fogarty-aye, Farnum-aye).

The record shows the board treated the request as an area-variance issue tied to Chapter 190 setback and lot-coverage standards (CODE 190-11, 190-15, 190-19 and 190-49). The board's action was a decision not to recommend the project to the zoning board for variance consideration, effectively keeping the matter from advancement in its present form.