[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6040556,"mediaKeyId","3758192-c8f48f1f7b8f176a0e3b565b55484468","parentId",3758192,"title","Zoning board approves use variance to allow professional-office use at Thompson Road property with sign and site-plan conditions","audioSeconds",2466,"startMs",275000,"endMs",2741000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3758192-c8f48f1f7b8f176a0e3b565b55484468&start=275&end=2741","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3758192-c8f48f1f7b8f176a0e3b565b55484468/thumbnail_275000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6040556/De-Witt/Onondaga-County/New-York/Zoning-board-approves-use-variance-to-allow-professional-office-use-at-Thompson-Road-property-with-sign-and-site-plan-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040556-548c3e3d85c57c189ee07be611be218f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448317&Signature=W0tIcJMceIAdFr714helrm04ryBg~qY-0eagCQ5YHhxEHpSaydXNu-hNDO2Wzfwc0R-MZWh1xb4giGFZ~PGcRggIhgIaSbQC~vg~q70jEMMvfQBGpA0dcHAsKf~0HekRB2qL72S5nSmkOZDERgDvkvzQ-0M0r-aD~uNKTolGNtpcYLSBvFyy4LXk3GANntUiqJQS29dkpyD6DyhbJrZzt5bFHITAQjMnm1uMzx~fBUh0hrhGAsuFh-qLFiTwDZhbXBvbG2UTwjgzstf5Kd7xyFpf~soijrZKi51Jw~5yqKW2CqRBs2CmvPmCu1OtKwSFNlFTZrWM-cUhRr9dbEnL2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of DeWitt, NY","date","2025-04-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of DeWitt Zoning Board of Appeals on April 29 approved a use variance allowing a property on Thompson Road to be used as a professional office rather than housing, subject to four conditions including limits on signage and a required planning-board site-plan review.

Board members said an outside appraisal and supporting affidavits demonstrated the applicant could not realize a reasonable return if the property were converted to residential use. The appraisal, procured after an earlier hearing and prepared by Colliers appraiser Don Fisher, concluded conversion costs could be as much as $300,000 and said those costs would substantially reduce the property’s market value.

The board imposed four conditions when it approved the variance: the permitted use will be limited to a financial-services office, nonprofit or other professional service; the applicant shall not install a monument (freestanding) sign; the applicant may install one attached building sign up to 50 square feet with “reasonable” lighting limited to identification and safety; and the applicant must complete site-plan review with the Planning Board for the change of use.

Members discussed restricting tenants and asked whether the variance should be limited to a specific kind of office. Several members said they did not want to limit the property to one narrow business type but wanted to exclude higher-impact uses such as retail or medical clinics. The board’s approved language narrowly defines permissible uses as “financial services office, nonprofit, or other professional service,” and excludes monument signage while reserving final authority on any permitted sign to the Planning Board during site-plan review.

Board members who reviewed the use-variance criteria said the record supplied “dollars-and-cents” evidence, including the Colliers appraisal and affidavits from industry professionals, and cited the property’s multi-year marketing history and prior zoning changes as additional support. Members also discussed whether the hardship was self-created and noted the property’s purchase predated a 2007 zoning-code rewrite that changed permitted uses in the area.

The board’s motion to approve the variance passed with five votes in favor and one opposed.

The applicant will now proceed to the Planning Board for required site-plan review. If the Planning Board finds signage or parking inconsistent with code, the applicant may need additional approvals or amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeWitt Zoning Board of Appeals 4-29-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Town of DeWitt Zoning Board of Appeals on April 29 approved a use variance allowing a property on Thompson Road to be used as a professional office rather than housing, subject to four conditions including limits on signage and a required planning-board site-plan review.","taxTitle","De Witt, Onondaga County, New York","taxId",69943,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6040549,"Zoning board tables request by Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church for 8-foot community-garden fence after neighbor opposition",3391,2833000,6224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3758192-c8f48f1f7b8f176a0e3b565b55484468&start=2833&end=6224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3758192-c8f48f1f7b8f176a0e3b565b55484468/thumbnail_2833000.jpg","/articles/6040549/De-Witt/Onondaga-County/New-York/Zoning-board-tables-request-by-Pebble-Hill-Presbyterian-Church-for-8-foot-community-garden-fence-after-neighbor-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040549-7cf2e2abb6c8d286a179025a01366d4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448317&Signature=oe32xItbb99Uoc2qahaYWlqhJCD~t7YraXpnHfO5vFS9Y~EhbDr5RiFrfjrGXCUcwsFrImPZSE8FILPD7nd8J61BBlrc7tkzPoheavfKM2pYfd4NAz0TU~3sudHlyw9rL7FzwMMjIU7SbMx2QGV4mfYZhcQYkTpbsUcE7nA9jux7rlmsT~XveA2jUvSF54o3yIw2QOxKg~zHULxBIXwbrkvIhO5-YBDBz~iVnYVexGccTZNl3j0fPexditIYS5l8DzyOWVk8~2sDwpTddg4FPaGuTbnSa-Kdr0FJMsMnYit1Q-nqchluGctYy88Koju55cjo01gCggl2crlhhMXH1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of DeWitt Zoning Board of Appeals on April 29 heard public comment on an application from Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church to install an 8-foot fence around its community garden at 5299 Janesville Road (Tax Parcel ID 059-03-08). After extended public comment, the board voted to table the application so the applicant could consult with neighbors and submit additional documentation on materials and deer mitigation.

Pastor Courtney Sineinger described the garden as a 50-year community resource used by church members and community partners. The church said the existing perimeter is temporary plastic netting; the proposed permanent fence would be an 8-foot woven/mesh wire fence intended to deter deer and make maintenance easier. The applicant estimated the garden’s perimeter at about 522 feet and described the garden footprint roughly as 185 by 75 feet in public remarks.

Neighbors who spoke at the hearing objected to an 8-foot fence, calling it visually intrusive in a largely residential area and saying a 6-foot fence would be sufficient. Several neighbors submitted written statements and photographs showing existing screening and tree lines between homes and the garden, and noted the town’s recent deer management activity. One resident who gardened at the site said rabbits, groundhogs and other small animals—more than deer—had damaged crops in the past and that some mitigation measures other than an 8-foot fence could be effective.

Board members and staff noted two technical questions that need clarification: whether the proposed woven wire material complies with the town’s permitted materials list (the code lists wood, stone, other natural material, brick, ornamental metal, vinyl, and black-colored chain link as permitted fence materials) and whether the garden fence qualifies differently from a property perimeter fence. The board advised that building-permit review and the code-enforcement officer will confirm compliance with material and construction requirements during permitting.

After public comment, board members voted to table the matter to give the applicant time to consult with neighbors, provide supporting documents (for example, research on deer-fence height and the materials specification), and coordinate with code enforcement. The board asked the applicant to re-notify people who received the initial hearing notice when the item is re-scheduled.

The board did not make a final ruling on the requested 8-foot height; no binding variance was granted at the meeting.","Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church sought an area variance to install an 8-foot woven-wire fence around its community garden at 5299 Janesville Road. Neighbors expressed concern about height and visual impact; the board tabled the application to allow the church to work with neighbors and supply additional materials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Zoning board approves use variance to allow professional-office use at Thompson Road property with sign and site-plan conditions

Zoning board tables request by Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church for 8-foot community-garden fence after neighbor opposition