HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA 2025-12-02TOWN OF DRYDEN
Zoning Board of Appeals
12-2-25
via Hybrid
1
Board Members (*absent) (IP-in person) (Z-Zoom)
Janis Graham, Chairwoman (IP)
Andrew Henry (IP)
Mary Witman (IP)
Mike Gill (Z)
Henry Slater, (Alternate), (IP)
Others Attending
Gina Cassidy, Planner (IP)
Joy Foster, Board Secretary, (Z)
Applicants & Public Attending
Cheryl Richter and Lee Richter, 51 Hollister Rd. applicants
Mike Ward-resident
The Public Hearing was opened at 6:04 PM
After determining that all have read the legal notice, J. Graham moves to waive reading
the notice of hearing.
Motion made by: J. Graham
Second: - M. Witman
All in favor – Yes
NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Dryden will conduct a Public
Hearing to consider the application of Cheryl Allen Richter for an area variance at 51
Hollister Road, Tax Parcel ID 76.-1-20.622. This parcel is in the Neighborhood Residential
district, and the Code of the Town of Dryden prohibits accessory structures in the front yard.
The requested variance is to allow a 240 square foot shed in the front yard of a single-family
home.
SAID HEARING will be held on Tuesday December 2, 2025 at 6:05 pm at Dryden Town
Hall, 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053 at which time all interested persons will be
given an opportunity to be heard. You can either attend the hearing in person or remotely. To
attend remotely you connect to the hearing via internet or telephone.
Details on how to connect will be posted to one day prior to the hearing on the Town
website at: www.townofdrydenny.gov You can also submit comments prior to the meeting
or request meeting details by email to:planning@townofdrydenny.gov Application
materials are available for review at the Office of the Dryden Town Clerk at Town Hall
and on the Town’s website at www.townofdrydenny.gov.
2
Individuals requiring assistance should contact the Town of Dryden at 607-844-8888 x 216 at
least 48 hours prior to the time of the public hearing.
Applicant – Cheryl Richter is present and has nothing further to add to her application.
With no further comments or discussion from the audience or the Board.
J. Graham motions to close the public part of the hearing and move forward with the Board
answering the 5 questions.
Second: M. Witman
All in favor – Yes
The Board discussed and determined
A. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER AN UNDESIRABLE CHANGE WOULD BE
PRODUCED IN THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR
DETRIMENT TO NEARBY PROPERTIES WILL BE CREATED BY GRANTING
OF THE AREA VARIANCE, THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS
FOLLOWS:
The shed will be screened from the road by trees and will be more than 150 feet from the
road, so no undesirable change would be produced. There are several accessory structures
visible from the road, similar to the one proposed on nearby properties in the
neighborhood.
Motion made by: M. Witman
Second: J. Graham
All in favor – Yes
B. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE BENEFITS SOUGHT BY THE APPLICANT
CAN BE ACHIEVED BY SOME OTHER METHOD, FEASIBLE FOR THE
APPLICANT TO PURSUE, OTHER THAN AN AREA VARIANCE, THE ZONING
BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
The shed’s purpose is to store a snow blower, so proximity to the driveway is important.
While other areas behind the home appear viable, the purpose of driveway and garden
maintenance seems to render other locations impractical.
Motion made by: M. Witman
Second: A. Henry
All in favor – Yes
3
C. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE REQUESTED AREA VARIANCE IS
SUBSTANTIAL. THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
It cannot be determined whether or not this request is substantial, given that the structure is
either in or not in the front yard. However, it is not in the required front yard, which is 50
feet; instead, it is approximately 150 feet from the road edge.
Motion made by: H. Slater
Second: - J. Graham
All in favor – Yes
D. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE PROPOSED VARIANCE WILL HAVE AN
ADVERSE EFFECT OR IMPACT ON THE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR DISTRICT. THE ZONING BOARD
OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
A garden shed would seem to be a typical rural neighborhood residential zoning district
element. As mentioned in A., almost all the other homes on the street contain one visible
from the street. In addition, the applicants' shed will be largely shielded from view by trees.
Motion made by: A. Henry
Second: M. Witman
All in favor – Yes
E. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THE ALLEGED DIFFICULTY WAS SELF-
CREATED. THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS FINDS AS FOLLOWS:
Yes, the applicant could place the shed in another location that is less convenient.
However, for all the reasons stated above, the choice of location is both logical and
thoughtful. In addition, it bears noting that this Board’s position with these types of relief
requests is to grant the request whenever the requested relief exceeds the required setback
and has no negative impact on other factors.
Motion made by: M. Gill
Second: M. Witman
All in favor – Yes
Motion made by Slater to classify this as SEQR exempt type II action - 6 CRR-NY
617.5(c)(17), per the recommendation of the Planning Dept.
Second: J. Graham - Yes
All in favor – Yes
4
A motion was made by H. Slater to grant the Area Variance as submitted with no
conditions.
Second: J. Graham
All in favor – Yes
The minutes from 9-2-25 will be approved at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT 6:16 PM
J. Graham Motion to adjourn
Second: M. Gill
All in favor – Yes