Tonya Clow and Steve Snyder request a variance from the board which will allow lot line reconfiguration. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — During its July regular meeting, the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals had a full agenda, Thursday, July 20.

Steve Snyder presented two requests on behalf of Robert Ratz’s estate and Matt Boyer, who is in charge of the estate. The two properties are located at 303 W. Hickory St., and 303 W. Boston St. Both requests were approved.

Snyder stated in 1999, the accessory building was allowed to be built as there was a residence on the same lot. At that time, it was stated, the property was not to be separated without previous approval. The lot was separated in 2001. The owner of the new lot at 303 W. Boston St., Tonya Clow, at some point added on to the garage on the property going across the property line.

Thus the request for an exception for the purpose of allowing an accessory building to remain on a lot without a principal structure in a residential district at 303 W. Hickory St. and a variance allowing lot line reconfiguration.

The accessory building creates no traffic issue, and will be used for residential storage only. The exception was approved by the board with the condition that storage does not exceed 25 feet from the street.

The variance would allow lot line reconfiguration to create a 5 foot setback for the residence to the north and a 7 foot setback for the structure on the Ratz parcel.

Clow, a neighbor to the accessory building, came to the meeting to voice support of the variance. Without the variance, her garage would technically be out of code. The value of lots are not in danger with the approvals of the exception and variance.

Darrin Burke came before the board to seek an exception for the purpose of the alteration to a previously granted exception by allowing the addition of sale of boats, RVs and trailers in a commercial district. The previous exception was made in 2014.

“I’m just looking to diversify. I have no immediate plans but I am looking into the future,” Burke told the board. This exception is the step in the direction of obtaining a state license, which requires the board of zoning’s signature agreeing that everything is in compliance. The board approved Burke’s exception, with the conditions that were laid out in his 2014 exception.

Perry Glancy petitioned for a variance which would permit allowing an air conditioning unit to remain 33 inches from the property line, the ordinance requires 5 feet, at 407 E. Medusa St. The air conditioning unit came with the house that he has owned since 2020.

According to estimates, Glancy was looking at a $10,000 bill to get the air conditioning unit up to code. The board approved Glancy’s variance with the condition once the air conditioning unit needs replaced, he replaces with a taller, thinner unit that should be put him close to the 5 foot setback.

Dan Lees and Ginger Abbs came before the board to ask for a variance which would allow a residential addition at 304 E. Boston St. The variance would allow them to start construction on an architectural raised roof and an entryway porch. “We’re just looking to give the house a face lift,” Lees told the board. The board approved the variance.

Three Motions Before Request Continued

A continued case from June went through three motions for a continuance before it was finally seconded and granted. Jason Metz is seeking an exception to change a granted exception to allow the sales of watercraft along with the previous allowed uses of auto sales, boat trailer sales, overflow storage shed storage and overflow parking for adjacent restaurant. The property is located at 1015 S. Huntington St.

Metz, who did not appear at the June meeting, was present however did not have the appropriate documentation that showed notification of his intentions and of the meeting had been sent by certified mail to adjacent property owners. Randy Cox, board president, immediately made a motion to continue the case. However further discussion continued by Metz and other board members.

It was noted that a year ago, the petitioner, Travis Davidson, had neglected to include watercraft in the petition. Metz, who is now renting the property, stated the location of the storage sheds has been moved nearer to the restaurant and should not be a problem like they were before. Cox then made the motion to continue again, which went again without a second.

Further discussion concerned how the property was divided into thirds, vehicle parking for the restaurant and mention that there was a garage being used for detailing watercraft, which have been seen sitting on the lot. Metz could not respond to what was happening there as it was not his business.

Matt Sandy, county planner, stated there was a need to continue digging into what was happening on that property, and encouraged Metz to have Davidson accompany him to the plan commission office for further discussion. Cox then made the motion to continue for the third time, which received a second and the case moved to August.

Jay Bishop was absent and also granted continuance to next month’s regular board meeting. Bishop is seeking an exception for a change and alteration of a granted exception to allow a second residential unit in conjunction with the granted two commercial uses in a commercial district. The property is located at 421 S. Huntington St.

The next Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals regular meeting will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Syracuse Town Hall, 310 North Huntington St., Syracuse.