Syracuse BZA members Randy Cox, left, and Larry Coplen; Area Plan Commission staff member Matt Sandy; and board member Mathew Pritchard deliberate over a petition for variance at the Thursday, March 19, meeting. (Photo by Ray Balogh)

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals approved the two variance petitions brought before it Thursday, March 19. Both votes were unanimous.

Consideration of the first petition, brought by John “Jack” Gardner of 720 E. Bishop St., was resumed from the original hearing in January. Gardner sought a variance to allow the 10-by-16 shed on his residential property to remain. The shed was originally placed without a permit, which was required because the shed exceeded the 120-square-foot threshold.

He also sought exemption from the setback requirements from an adjoining alley and property line.

Gardner submitted two architectural plans, one with 5-foot setbacks, the other with 2 1/2-foot setbacks. The board approved the 5-foot plan, which will require the repositioning of an air conditioning unit situated near the house.

Petitioners Dale and Betty Spoor of 1408 N. Long Drive were also present to speak to their petition, which sought “a variance to allow an accessory building to remain 18 feet from the right of way and zero feet from the south property line as placed without permits or approvals.”

The original setbacks were 27 feet from the right of way and 15 feet from the property line.

The board originally heard the request in November, but requested a survey, which revealed the shed, which had subsequently been moved, was a little more than 2 feet from the southeast corner of the property line. The new placement put the shed within 2 1/2 feet from the house.

“We moved the shed as requested,” said Betty, “and it is 19 1/2 feet from the back line now. Our intention is to leave the shed as placed,” said Betty.

The board discussed the ramifications of its decision for subsequent owners of the property and gave its approval for a 2-foot setback only for the Spoors.

Subsequent owners may repetition for a variance, remove the building or move it to a compliant location on the parcel.

Two petitions have already been scheduled for the Thursday, April 17, hearing, which will take place as scheduled unless pandemic related restrictions prohibit the meeting.

The board meets a 6 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at Syracuse Town Hall.