Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Schaghticoke met at the Town Hall, 290 Northline Drive, Melrose, New York 12121 on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Regular meeting — 7:00 PM

Roll call took place.

Present: Ed McDonough (Chairman), Nick Bayly, Rich Geddis, Lettie Saheim, Jay Shover. Absent: None.

James LaValle, Attorney, and Elizabeth Hale, Clerk, were present.

Approval of prior minutes

The Board reviewed the minutes of February 5, 2026. Jay Shover made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted; Lettie Saheim seconded.

• Ayes: McDonough, Bayly, Geddis, Shover
• Nays: None
• Abstention: Saheim

Public hearing — 7:01 PM · Gregory Fane, Application #2-26

Ed McDonough read the Notice of Hearing for Application #2-26 of Gregory Fane, who proposes a two-lot subdivision of a 5.81± acre parcel located at 5 Warren Lane, off NYS Route 40 (Tax Map #61.-1-33), in the R — Residential Zoning District. The application requires three variances:

1. a density variance from the Zoning Law Schedule of Area and Height Requirements (which requires one dwelling unit per three acres) — a variance of 0.19± acres, about 3% short of the required density;
2. a variance of 6.23′ from the 50′ frontage requirement on a cul-de-sac (Zoning Law Section IV(G)(2)(b)(4)); and
3. a variance of 10.16′ from the required 175′ of total frontage / lot width on the proposed lot.

Mark Danskin, land surveyor, appeared to represent the applicant. He noted that the topography is relatively flat except for a “knob” on the newly proposed lot, and that access to the lot is planned from Warren Lane, as access from NYS Route 40 would be impractical. As a consequence, the driveway to the subdivision will lose 6.2′ of road frontage. There were no comments from the public. The public hearing closed at 7:05 p.m.

Ed McDonough made a motion to close the hearing and reopen the regular meeting; Jay Shover seconded.

• Ayes: McDonough, Bayly, Geddis, Saheim, Shover
• Nays: None

Regular meeting resumed — Fane determination

Given the Board’s familiarity with the application, there were no further questions. The Board reviewed Section XI(B)(2)(b)(1–5) and agreed:

1. no undesirable change would be produced in the character of the neighborhood — the new lots are only 3% short of the required size, the proposed lot is remote from existing dwellings, and the proposed house is planned to be 150′ from the nearest neighboring residence;
2. the benefit sought could be achieved by another method requiring greater variances, but instead the most minimal variance was requested;
3. the appeal for the variances is not substantial;
4. the proposed variance would not have an adverse effect on environmental conditions in the neighborhood — the requested variances work with the land rather than against it; and
5. the alleged difficulty was self-created.

Ed McDonough made a motion to grant the requested area variances for Application #2-26 of Gregory Fane; Lettie Saheim seconded.

• Ayes: McDonough, Bayly, Geddis, Saheim, Shover
• Nays: None

Capital ProTree Removal — commercial vehicle parking (7 Howland Road)

Daniel Glogowski appeared regarding the parking of trucks for his tree-service business, Capital ProTree Removal, at 7 Howland Road — a property in the Hamlet District (HD) — following a related parking-permit question raised at the March 4 Planning Board meeting. He does not own the property, which is owned by Bodner Bay Enterprises and may be in the process of being sold. The parking area is land-locked, with access only from Howland Avenue; trucks are out early in the morning, and some are used to bring in wood that is then transferred and delivered from the site. Mr. Glogowski stated that he has operated the business for about a year.

Board members raised concerns about commercial use of a property in a Hamlet District, where permitted uses and regulations are more limited. The Board asked to view the site and to confer with the town attorney about whether and how the business could operate legally within a Hamlet District. Mr. Glogowski was advised that, should the matter move forward, he would need approval or a release from the property owner. No decision was made.

Adjournment

Ed McDonough made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m.; Jay Shover seconded.

• Ayes: McDonough, Bayly, Geddis, Saheim, Shover
• Nays: None

Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk. Minutes dated April 4, 2026.