By Peter Calvert
Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting, May 11, 2026, 6 PM
Zoning Board of Appeals: Robert Abbate, Chair, Forrest Day, Dana Scuderi-Hunter, Skip Parcell, and Cindy Taylor. Support Staff: JoAnn Boerner, Clerk, Kristin Schneider, DelCo.
A zoning variance at 215 County Route One was requested from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) by owner John Jacobson to replace an aging trailer from 1965 with a new, pre-fab, double-wide, manufactured home. Trailer does not conform to zoning setback requirements, and neither would a new home on the similar footprint. Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed the request, found it did not interfere with any neighbors’ rights, and awarded a variance allowing Jacobson this property modernization.
Skip Parcell recused himself from the Board for the next item on the agenda. Skip Parcel, representing Susan C. Stone, asked the ZBA for a variance for a Boundary Line Adjustment splitting the front building off from the bulk of the Delaware House property at 227 Delaware Avenue. The previous request to the Andes Town Planning Board had been referred to the DelCo Planning Board and, based on what they reviewed, they recommended the request be denied, citing lack of road access and minimal setbacks from other properties. However, local town ZBAs can overrule recommendations by a “super majority” vote. (Ie: one vote more than a majority of the Board Quorum.) Skip does have confirmation from the NY State DOT that the remaining larger parcel could construct a new road off Route 28, as the only other access was via “a driveway easement” through the smaller portion. Also, the minimal space between the two proposed new properties is less than zoning requires but evidence brought to the ZBA meeting showed numerous other properties along Main Street and Delaware Ave in the Hamlet on Route 28 preexist with similar narrow boundaries and insufficient setbacks. The ZBA made a motion and, with a Super Majority vote, overturned the recommended denial from the DelCo Planning Board. Then, they motioned to allow the variance request for a Minor Subdivision for the Delaware Inn. ZBA scheduled a Public Hearing at the 7pm Planning Meeting May 11, 2026.~