Saratoga Springs, N.Y. — The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 29 approved three area variances for separate residential projects, voting unanimously 7-0 on each application.

The approvals covered: an addition at 17 Walnut Street (appeal of Pavlov Barry), a modification and reapproval of a previously granted variance for a new garage/second dwelling at 169 Union Avenue (Thomas R. Grossman), and an expansion at 14 Ritchie Place (Mary P. Dooley). The board read formal draft motions into the record and moved each resolution to approval with the stated findings required under the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Why it matters: Each motion documents the board’s balancing test under the UDO — whether the applicant can achieve the requested benefit by feasible alternatives, whether the variance would alter neighborhood character, substantiality of the request, environmental/permeability impacts, and the self-created nature of the difficulty. The written motions cite specific lot and parcel identifiers and quantify the relief granted.

Details of the approvals

17 Walnut Street (Pavlov Barry). The board approved an area variance to construct an addition that required relief from total side setback requirements (requested relief: about 8.5 feet, roughly 42.5% of the requirement). The draft motion notes the applicant purchased additional land historically shown as “Cedar Alley” to mitigate dimensional needs, found the addition would not alter the streetscape visibility, and concluded permeability/district requirements would be met. Vote: 7-0 (Christopher LaPointe, Jonah Cohen, Shaffer Gaston, Otis Maxwell, Amanda Demma, Bridal Daly, Gage Simpson).

169 Union Avenue (Thomas R. Grossman). The board reapproved and modified variances for a garage/carriage-house project in the Urban Residential 4 district. Relief included reduced lot width, higher principal coverage (requested 46.5%), increased driveway percentage (proposed 40%), and a reduced rear setback to Morton Alley (proposed 5 feet). Motion findings cite the preexisting nonconforming lot width, neighborhood context near the Racing Museum and commercial uses, and DRB-driven design changes that move the structure closer to the alley to maintain historic alignment. The board noted the submitted plans show restoration of a former paved area back to grass. Vote: 7-0.

14 Ritchie Place (Mary P. Dooley). The board approved variances to allow reconstruction and modest expansion within an existing footprint in the UR-1 district, including relief from minimum side and rear setbacks (rear setback relief ~16.2 feet). The motion finds the house is smaller than neighboring structures, that permeability requirements will be met, and that the variances are mitigated by existing conditions even if self-created. Vote: 7-0.

Board procedure and record: For each approved matter the board read a written draft resolution into the record, discussed findings such as substantiality and neighborhood character, and recorded roll-call “in favor” votes from all seven members present. Public hearings for each matter had been held, and the motions reference public notice and tax parcel identifiers.

What the approvals do not do: The motions approve area variances as described in the motions and the submitted plans; subsequent building permit approvals will be subject to plan compliance, possible additional conditions noted in the record (for example, plan notes that former pavement will return to green in the 169 Union submission), and any department-level permitting requirements.