Staff NotesTown of Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
Area Variance No.: 53-2022
Project Applicant: Renee & Tom West
Project Location: 79 Knox Road
Parcel History: SP 70-2022; SP 71-2022; AV 52-2022; 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 3,315 sq. ft. footprint with a
detached garage of 1,100 sq. ft. and a total floor area of 8,720 sq. ft. The home is to be 27 ft. 8 inches in height
and the garage is to be 27 ft. 11 ½ inches on a 1.22 acre parcel. The project includes new septic system,
stormwater controls, permeable driveway areas, and landscaping. Site plan for floor area, hard surfacing within
50 ft. of shoreline, and freshwater wetlands for work within 100 ft. Relief is requested for setbacks and garage
height.
The applicant requests relief for setbacks of stormwater device and garage height 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. Relief is requested for the height of the garage building where 27 ft. 11.5 inches is
proposed and accessory structures in the waterfront zone are limited to 16 ft.
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
height of the garage and 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 relief for height would be 11 ft 11.5 inches greater than 16 ft. 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.
Description of Proposed Project:
Relief Required:
Criteria for considering an Area Variance according to Chapter 267 of Town Law:
Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
The applicant proposes to demolish an existing home to construct a new home and new garage. The home will
have a height of 27 ft. 8 inches, the garage height will be 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 52-2022 where the house and garage are one building where the proposal for two
separate buildings would reduce the appearance of a large structure.
Staff comments: