Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity moved a step closer to creating another home on Foster Street after Canandaigua’s Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved two lot-size exceptions Oct. 21.
The 6-0 decision allows Habitat’s proposal to subdivide the rear portion of 65 Saltonstall St. to proceed to the city Planning Commission. The zoning approval addresses the proposed lot’s size and frontage; additional planning review remains necessary.
Habitat representative Abigail Blake said the organization has completed similar projects nearby, creating building sites from properties that extend between Saltonstall and Foster streets.
New lot would be smaller than zoning requires
The proposed Foster Street lot would contain 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of street frontage. In the property’s R-3 zoning district, a detached single-family home ordinarily requires at least 6,000 square feet and 55 feet of frontage.
The board granted variances for both shortfalls. City staff said the remaining property at 65 Saltonstall St. would continue to meet zoning requirements after the subdivision.
Blake said the proposal follows Habitat’s work at 66 and 70 Foster St. The organization was preparing to sell the newly completed home at 70 Foster St. to its homeowner the following week.
She also described the difficulty of securing sites that meet existing zoning requirements.
“We actively do try to find conforming lots to build on,” Blake told the board. “No one will sell them to me.”
Board finds proposal fits the neighborhood
Members concluded that the smaller lot would be consistent with nearby properties and would not create an undesirable change in neighborhood character.
They pointed to similar lot dimensions elsewhere in the area and Habitat’s previous construction on Foster Street. Members also said the proposed subdivision line follows the general pattern of neighboring properties.
The board discussed whether Habitat could achieve its goal without variances. Members noted that the property’s existing width limits the available frontage, while moving the subdivision line would take more land from the existing Saltonstall Street home.
Staff said no additional variances were being requested for the house itself. The home would still need to comply with applicable zoning and building requirements.
Members also considered potential physical and environmental effects, finding that the requested lot exceptions would not create an adverse neighborhood impact.
Although the board discussed whether the need for relief was self-created, members concluded that the other factors favored approval. The motion expressly relied on those findings.
No one spoke during the public hearing, and staff reported receiving no written comments.
Planning review is the next step
The variances clear a zoning hurdle for the subdivision but do not complete the city’s review.
Staff explained that Habitat must next take the proposal to the Planning Commission. That process will determine whether the property can be subdivided as proposed.
The Habitat application was the board’s only development item of the evening. Members also approved the Sept. 23 meeting minutes and discussed an upcoming Ontario County training session for planning and zoning officials.
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