Text · page 3 of 5
The applicant is still in conversation with their contractor regarding the board's request for other fence options. The board approved the motion to table this application until the April meeting. Motion by Tronolone, seconded by Greenan, to table fence variance. Ayes: 4 Noes: 0 Abstain: 1 Motion Carried NEW BUSINESS Chairperson Stachowski announced member Ed Biedent now present for the record. 6:18pm 2026-003 Request of Brianne Zhang for property located at 2806 Seneca Street for a variance 120- 29(a) requesting 18 dwelling units (5 dwelling units permitted) and 120-41 (d)(1) requesting 31 parking spaces (41 spaces required). Brianne Zhang presented a project to convert a 30,000 sq. ft. dormant landmark building into 18 residential units, primarily studio and one-bedroom apartments. The building's exterior footprint will not be altered, except for a new elevator tower. A density variance was required as the code allows only 5 units. The applicant argued developing only 5 units would be economically unfeasible. Chairperson Stachowski asked Code Enforcement what their position is on the 18 dwelling units. Code Enforcement Busse responded they do not have a position on it, being an existing structure it’s a unique situation to utilize the entirety of the building, stating all the units exceed the minimum square footage requirement for town code. Chairperson Stachowski inquired about neighbor letters, and county and state comment. Code Enforcement Busse said all board members have been provided with all the comments from NYS DOT, Erie County DOT and DOE planning. The neighbor letters were not required/ necessary. This matter has already been in front of the planning board along with other path of approval and didn’t fall in the 250’ requirement. Greenan AREA Variance balancing test 1 change to the neighborhood, no there is no exterior changes to this existing building it will be adaptive reuse of the vacant building. 2 is there an alternative? The applicant pointed out that the number of units is critical to this project. Five units would be physically and economically unworkable. 3 is the request substantial? This might be considered a substantial increase but seems necessary for the layout of the building. 4 Does the variance have an impact on the environment? We have no reason to believe there would be. 5 is this a self-created difficulty? Not a self-created hardship, in this case it’s a reasonable adaptive reuse project. Motion by Greenan, seconded by Lang, to approve 18 Dwelling units.