New Syracuse Board of Zoning members, Brandon Wolferman, left, and Scott Abbs, right, along with Matt Goodnight, center, listen to one of the requests being made at the Feb. 16 meeting. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Ian Brown and Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — For the first time in about four years, the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals is fully staffed. Two new members, Brandon Wolferman and Scott Abbs, joined the board Thursday, Feb. 16, at its monthly meeting.

The board now consists of five members: Wolferman, Abbs, Matt Goodnight, Randy Cox and Cory Mast. Mast was not present at the recent meeting.

The board reviewed three variance requests and one exception request. Only the variance request by Marvin Schwartz was denied. This is the second permit issued for the Hawaiian Village development. There are five undeveloped lots in that area.

Schwartz filed a petition for variance to construct a residence and place an air conditioning unit 7 feet from the side property line. The property is located on the east side of Koko Drive and 360 feet south of Pickwick Drive, in an area where new lots are being developed. Schwartz did not provide drawings of the residence on the lot.

Setbacks apply to the structure, generators or AC units. The minimum setback requirements for this lot were 25 feet from the right of way, 35 feet from the water and 10 feet from both side lines.

Schwartz was requesting a variance to place the AC unit within 7 feet of the side property line. However, several board members suggested Schwartz consider other options for placing the air conditioner, such as making an indentation in the garage or house or placing it on the roof.

“You know the (lot) size. The house is to fit the lot, not the lot to the house,” stated Cox. “If we grant it for you, there are four others who can come in and want the same thing.” Cox stated the fire department requests 10 feet around the homes to maneuver equipment if there is a fire. “We dont want obstructions. You can move the air conditioner in front; some are putting it on the roof.”

Abbs agreed with Cox.

“That’s a good amount of land. I mean, do you worry about your AC being 3 feet closer? I mean, designwise, that’s a good chunk of land,” said Wolferman.

“That gives you 55 feet,” added Cox.

Given the circumstances, the board uanimously denied Schwartz’s request, until he could meet the setback requirements.

Approvals for variances were given to John Oglesbee and Brock Manning, despite decks having already been constructed without permits being issued.

Oglesbee’s variance request was to allow a newly constructed deck to remain zero feet to the southwest property line and zero feet from the right of way of Carroll Street. The property is located at 601 N. Harrison St., at the corner of Carroll Street.

Matt Sandy, plan commission director, stated town officials contacted the planning office, reporting the deck’s construction without a permit.

“We did talk to the town to let them know that if it was a platform, they do not need a permit. Under the definition in the ordinance, a platform is decking that is no more than 12 inches above finished grade at any given point,” said Sandy.

“We built that deck with a town permit,” said Oglesbee.

Confusion arose when Oglesbee consulted with his contractor about getting a permit. One from the town was acquired, but both parties were unaware they needed to receive a permit from both the town and the county.

“I’d say there’s definitely been miscommunication somewhere in the mix,” said Sandy. He spoke directly with the contractor, saying, “I guess the best advice I can give you is it’s in your best interest to make sure a permit is acquired before you start.”

The board approved the petition and Oglesbee will have to get a permit from the county for $125.

Manning, whose property is at 1502 S. Huntington St., also built a deck without proper permits. He had previously been denied a permit due to setbacks and flood development requirements. His request was for a variance to leave the deck as is but 11 feet closer than the minimum setback of 35 feet.

Manning stated he didn’t realize he needed a permit for the deck as it was replacing a deteriorating deck. Sandy reiterated several times because the property is in a flood zone anything done to the property has to have a permit. “It is more complicated.”

Ken Manning spoke along with Brock Manning, stating they believed constructing the new deck and repairing it was the same thing. It was noted on the previous request the front deck was only included to show how it would tie in with the new deck.

While the board approved the variance, there were stipulations made that he never enclose the deck, and proper permits br obtained, including a flood permit.

Jeffery Toumey was granted his exception to construct an oversized residential accessory structure at 1101 N. Long Drive.

“Anytime you get over 1,200 square feet in a residential district, it takes an exception for that size building,” said Sandy.

“So right now we have a 24-by-40 -foot pole building. That’s pretty much what it is. We’re looking at expanding it to 55-by-40, keeping two of the walls of the existing structure. My intention would be to obviously stay within the 10 feet. I got three kids and I got one starting to drive so we have another car to put in the garage,” said Toumey.

Toumey additionally noted it will be finished to match the home and garage on the property and a shed currently on the property will be removed.

Seeing no issue with Toumey’s request, the board unanimously approved the motion.