Southtowns Record

February 4, 2026 Workshop

Government
Town of Wales
Board
Zoning Board of Appeals Workshop
Meeting
Feb 4, 2026
Kind
Other
Topics
Zoning and land use, Short-term rentals

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 2 of 4

the applicant were seeking a use not allowed in the zoning district while an area variance relates
to dimensional and physical requirements such as setbacks and placement.
Description of the property and existing conditions
The property consists of approximately 24 acres of wooded land, accessed by a private
easement/right-of-way serving the parcel from the public road; there is currently no official
assigned address in the Town’s system, although an address number 11665 appears in real estate
listings and has been used informally. The Chairman made clear that there is no record with
11665 Carpenter Road with Erie County. He also stated that this is a clarification and does not
impact the pros or con for the sheds.
The applicant stated that the parcel was purchased for family camping, hunting and recreational
use on weekends, and that they are not operating any business on the property.
There are two new $11,000. Amish-built sheds on the parcel, one that is 12’ x 20’ and the second
one 12’ x 26’, placed on piers or similar supports (not on a continuous foundation), along with an
older rustic cabin-type structure that existed at the time of purchase.
One new shed is used as a sleeping/camping cabin with no plumbing; the second new shed is an
accessory “bath house” structure containing a well, holding tank/septic, and bathroom facilities.
The applicant indicated that electric service already existed to a panel on the property and that
they retained an electrician for reconnection and upgrades.
Background on permits, survey and easement
The applicant apologized and explained that the sheds were installed prior to obtaining zoning
approval because of weather and access, and that this application is retroactive to bring the site
into compliance.
A prior building application was submitted and denied by the Building Inspector/Code
Enforcement Officer due to multiple zoning issues, including lack of primary dwelling, questions
about access/frontage, and potential use as a dwelling/accessory dwelling.
The applicant paid cash for the property, and therefore a new survey was not required by a
lender; they intended to update the survey after final placement of the structures rather than
paying for two separate surveys.
The applicant and Board discussed a recorded access easement/right-of-way across the front lot
which provides vehicular access to the interior parcel; the Board noted that the easement
document appears to be recorded after the last dated survey and is used by Erie County for tax
mapping.
The Board noted that the parcel has an SBL number and appears on Erie County tax maps which
is vacant property, but that the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer is the official
responsible for assigning a Town address.
Intended use of the sheds and structures
The applicant stated that the primary purpose of both sheds is seasonal family camping and
hunting:
  • One shed is a small camping cabin for sleeping.
  • The second shed is an accessory “bath house” with a bathroom, well, and septic to avoid
  having family members use the woods.
The applicant emphasized that no short-term rental or commercial use occurring at this time and
that overnight stays are limited to occasional weekends.
The applicant acknowledged prior conversations with the Code Enforcement Officer about short-
term rentals and indicated that any future Airbnb or similar use would be the subject of a separate
permit or zoning process and is not part of this current application.
Discussion of applicable code provisions and violations
The Chairman summarized several sections of the zoning code that had been cited by the Code
Enforcement Officer, and the Board discussed how they relate to the existing structures:
  1.) Foundation requirement for habitable dwellings
  ➢ The code requires habitable dwellings to be constructed on a continuous, fully
  enclosed foundation.