The Canandaigua Zoning Board of Appeals approved two variance requests Tuesday night while holding open a third application after questions were raised about wetlands, property lines and a driveway built along a former roadbed.
The board first approved coverage variances for a proposed rebuild at 4699 North Menteth Drive, where applicants sought permission to exceed the town’s lot and building coverage limits.
The project calls for replacing the existing home with a larger residence that remains within setback and height requirements. Representatives for the applicants said the added footprint was partly driven by floodplain limitations that prevent the use of a full basement, forcing mechanical space and storage onto upper levels.
Ontario County had recommended denial over environmental concerns, but the project team said permeable pavers and a stone base would help capture and treat stormwater running toward the property. Board members ultimately approved the request unanimously, citing the relatively small size of the variances and the proposed stormwater mitigation.
The board also approved an eight-foot side setback variance for 5043 North Road, where Kenneth Newsminer sought permission to build a small garage on a parcel split by the municipal boundary with the City of Canandaigua.
Board members noted that nearby properties have similar spacing and that the city’s setback rules appear less restrictive than the town’s. A neighboring property owner spoke in support of the project, saying the garage would help the resident avoid having to clear snow from a vehicle outside.
The most contentious discussion involved a request from Grove Engineering and property owner Travis Willey for a zero-foot side setback variance for a driveway tied to plans to convert an agricultural barn into a single-family home at 4243 State Route 21 South.
Willey said the driveway follows the former Keister Road roadbed and was placed there to preserve a hedgerow and avoid taking farmland out of production. But a neighboring property owner, David Paul II, disputed that account, telling the board the roadbed had not existed for years and that trees and brush had been removed before gravel was placed.
Questions were also raised about whether the driveway crosses or affects wetlands. Town staff and the board’s attorney recommended against making a decision until more information is provided, including a review of wetland boundaries and the driveway’s location.
The public hearing on that application was left open and is expected to continue at the board’s June meeting.
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