Staff NotesTown of Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
Area Variance No.: 52-2022
Project Applicant: Renee & Tom West
Project Location: 79 Knox Road
Parcel History: SP 70-2022; SP 71-2022; AV 53-2022; FWW 14-2022; FWW 15-2022
SEQR Type: Type II
Meeting Date: October 19, 2022
Applicant proposes to demolish an existing home to construct a new home of 4,652 sq. ft. footprint with
attached garage. The floor area is to be 8,880 sq. ft. and the home is to be 27 ft. 11.5 inches in height on a 1.22
acre parcel. Project includes new septic system, stormwater controls, and permeable driveway areas. Some
project work will be within 100 ft. of wetlands. Site plan for new floor area, hard surfacing within 50 ft. of
shoreline, and freshwater wetlands for work within 100 ft. Relief is requested for setbacks.
The applicant requests relief for setbacks of stormwater device in the WR zone on a 1.22 ac parcel
Section 179-3-040 dimensional and Chapter 147 Stormwater
The stormwater infrastructure is to be located 51 ft. from the wetland and 93 ft. from Lake George where a 100
ft. setback is required.
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 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 to reduce the
scale of the project so the devices meet the required setback.
3. Whether the requested area variance is substantial. The request for relief may be considered minimal
moderate relevant to the code. The setback relief is 7 ft to the lake and 49 ft to the wetland.
4. Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district. Minor to no impact to the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood may be anticipated. The project includes additional shoreline
plantings and stormwater management for the site.
5. Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created. The difficulty may be considered self-created.
The applicant proposes to demolish an existing home to construct a new home with an attached garage. The
home will have a height of 27 ft, 11.5 inches on a parcel of 1.22 acres. The project includes a new septic
system, stormwater controls, permeable driveway areas and landscaping. The applicant’s request is similar to
AV 53-2022 where the house and garage are separate buildings where the relief requested here is not requesting
a height variance.
Description of Proposed Project:
Relief Required:
Criteria for considering an Area Variance according to Chapter 267 of Town Law:
Staff comments: