GUILDERLAND — At last Wednesday’s zoning board meeting, of the four variances the board granted, Joseph Messier’s application to build a garage attached to his home received the most deliberation.

Messier, of 25 Cross St., asked for a variance to construct a 20-by-24-foot, two-car garage on the side of his home. The zoning law requires an eight-foot side-yard setback and Messier asked for a five-foot setback.

Town planner Jan Weston wrote in a memo to the board that, although she has no strong planning objections, Messier’s garage will affect his neighbor’s view.

Chairman Bryan Clenahan told the board that Messier is "doing a big expansion" to his home, but only needs a variance for the garage setback.

"You have a compelling case," Clenahan told Messier. "But, the garage will be tight to your neighbor’s property."

The way the houses are situated, Messier said, his neighbor’s front yard faces the opposite direction. "The houses are re-versed," he said.

Board members later decided that, with the uniqueness of Messier’s property, and that 31 neighbors received notice of his application, but did not oppose it, the impact on the neighborhood was acceptable.

Clenahan also questioned if Messier’s request were substantial.

"In the grand scheme of things, five feet isn’t [substantial], but, when you’re talking about eight feet required and five proposed, that’s over half," Clenahan said.

Messier’s building plan for expanding his house is configured around the garage, he said. The second-floor addition will be on top of the garage.

Clenahan then tried to negotiate Messier’s moving the garage slightly forward or reducing the size. But, Messier said, with his porch and with needing a 16-foot-wide door, he can’t reduce the size.

"What if you gave us a foot to the side and put bushes in"" asked Clenahan.

"I’ll put bushes in without the foot," Messier said.

"Six inches"" Clenahan asked.

"Three bushes"" Messier asked.

The board was satisfied then, with Messier saying he will landscape the area around the garage.

Other business
In other business, the board:

— Granted a variance to Gail and Claude Pickett, of 2758 Furbeck Road, to allow the construction of an attached garage in a side yard;

— Granted a variance to Herb Hoelzli, of 4 Willow St., to permit a 12-by-20 foot carport attached to his home; and

— Granted a variance to Stephen and Ethelyn Weiss, of 700 Wasentha Way, to allow a six-foot stockade fence in the front yard of their corner lot.