DECK VARIANCE — Douglas Troyer, left, went before the board to petition for a variance to allow a deck to remain at 20 feet to a right of way of Bishop Street when ordinance requires 25 feet. Board members pictured from left are Brandon Wolferman, Cory Mast and Matthew Goodnight. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — During the regular board meeting Thursday, Nov. 16, the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals approved three cases.

Douglas Troyer went before the board to petition for a variance to allow a deck to remain at 20 feet to a right of way of Bishop Street when ordinance requires 25 feet. The property is located at 916 S. Hansing St.

Troyer constructed the deck and installed a pergola over the deck. He received notice that he was in violation of the ordinance.

Since the pergola was not mentioned in the original petition, the board considered continuing the case. To avoid having to refile and repay fees, Troyer agreed to keep the pergola temporary and to take it down seasonally, about every 6 months.

The board approved his petition for a variance.

David Ganger went before the board to petition for an exception for the change and alteration of a nonconforming use to allow a 14-foot by 78-foot accessory addition to the business to be used for personal storage. The property is located at 215 E. Palm Drive.

As part of preparation for the board meetings, board members drive by and inspect properties that are on the agenda. While doing this, Randy Cox noticed the business owner was violating his 2012 exception conditions by storing items outside the fenced in storage area.

The board was hesitant to approve Ganger’s accessory building because the building would lessen the business owner’s current storage space, possibly forcing him to store even more items outside the fenced in storage area.

“It’s his business, he needs to be able to display what he sells,” Ganger argued, “its a 10-year old condition.”

“Whether it was made 10 years ago or 10 days ago, the condition needs to be honored,” Matthew Goodnight explained.

The board considered continuance, but ultimately agreed to approve the petition for exception with the condition the Area Planning Commission inspects to make sure the operator and property owner are following their previously agreed display and storage requirements.

Steve Snyder went before the board on behalf of James George to petition for a variance for the construction of a 14-foot by 22-foot carport 12 feet from the right of way of Medusa Street. The property is located at 412 E. Medusa St.

“To put it simply, this property has become quite the neighborhood hang out spot,” Snyder explained, “The carport serves two purposes: one, if they don’t put a car in the garage, it will be sheltered from the weather. Two, if the neighborhood wants to bring their chairs, they can do so and be sheltered from the sun.”

“I would motion to approve, given no real issues with visibility or issues actually being in the right away,” Brandon Wolferman mentioned.

“It’s a dead end road and still fits in conforming all the buildings and houses on that road,” Cory Mast agreed.

The board approved George’s petition for a variance.

The next regular Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Syracuse Town Hall, 301 N. Huntington St.