Staff Notes 5/20/2020 Town of Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
Area Variance No.: 3-2020
Project Applicant: Aftab Sam Bhatti
Project Location: 547 Aviation Road
Parcel History: SP 5-2020; SP 71-2019; SP 82-2019
SEQR Type: Type II
Meeting Date: May, 20,2020,March 18, 2020
Description of Proposed Project:
Applicant proposes to update the existing Quality Inn motel to enclose a 288 sq. ft. sunroom off of pool area. The project
includes construction of a 240 sq. ft. covered porch addition to rear of motel.The site contains two lodging
establishments that share parking and access on Aviation Road. Relief requested for FAR and setbacks.
Relief Required:
The applicant requests relief for FAR and setbacks.
Section 179-3-040 Dimensional Requirements and Section 179-4-080 Porches, Canopies and Decks—Commericial
Intensive Zone-CI
The application proposes to enclose an existing open deck area to the side of the building for the interior pool area. The
deck area is to be 20 ft. 5 in.where a 75 ft. setback is required. Relief is also required for Floor area where 30% is
required and 43.5 % is proposed(41688)and 42.9%(41160) is existing.
Criteria for considering an Area Variance according to Chapter 267 of Town Law:
In making a determination,the board shall consider:
1. Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or a detriment to
nearby properties will be created by the granting of this area variance. Minor to no impacts to the neighborhood
character may be anticipated.
2. Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method,feasible for the applicant to
pursue,other than an area variance. Feasible alternatives may be considered limited as the existing open deck is
not compliant to the front setback. Feasible alternatives for floor area would be to have an open porch or deck area.
3. Whether the requested area variance is substantial. The relief may be considered moderate relevant to the code.
The relief requested on the front property line is 54.5 ft. and Floor area is 12.9% in access.
4. Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental
conditions in the neighborhood or district. The project as proposed will have minimal impact to the
environmental conditions of the area.
5. Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created. The difficulty may be considered self-created.
Staff comments:
The applicant proposes to enclose an existing 288 sq. ft. open deck for the existing indoor pool to have access to a
covered porch/sunroom. The rear porch addition of 240 sq.ft. is also for patrons to have a covered area to be out of the
bad weather. The applicant has indicated there are no other site changes for the Quality Inn.