SYRACUSE — Several cases on the agenda at the regular meeting of Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals Thursday, Aug. 20, were approved. An exception and a variance for Oakwood Resort were tabled.
Anweiler Realty’s petition for an exception to allow a marina in a residential district was approved. The property is located at 804 S. Lakeside Drive.
The property is the site of the former Smokey’s Bait Shop and is located next to Main Channel Marina. The owner owns seven lots total and wants to remove current structures. The new owner wants to only display boats for sale and have additional parking.
“A marina is an exception use in a residential district,” said attorney Steve Snyder. He said the property will be grass and gravel and be an “open tract.”
The plan wasn’t without opposition. Several property owners were at the meeting to voice concerns. One man said he is concerned with an existing boat ramp and is worried about boat congestion.
Snyder said the boat ramp will not be for public use.
Diane Carlson said she is concerned with what the owner will do with the property. “It is an eyesore. We need some more answers,” she said.
After considerable debate, lasting almost 40 minutes, the board, except one member, Larry Coplen, approved the case with certain conditions. The property will be deeded with the seven lots together. If the boat ramp creates a problem, the board wants to be notified. No service work can be performed on site.
Paris and Rebecca Ball-Miller’s petition for three variances was approved. The first variance would allow two stone pillars to be constructed zero feet from the right-of-way. An underground storage room, at 3 feet from the west property line, was also approved.
They also want to allow a pool 17 feet from the water’s edge. The property is located at 715 E. Northshore Drive.
Oakwood Resort’s petition for an exception was approved. It wants to allow the change and alteration of a non-conforming sign to be expanded and lit. The property is at the intersection of Harkless Drive and Lakeview Road.
Oakwood’s petition for an exception to allow two temporary signs in a residential district was tabled. Owner J.R. Parent said the signs are for events and parking only. “They are all event-related signs,” he said.
The parking signs will help direct traffic during busy events, such as weddings. Several property owners at the meeting said the parking problem does need to be addressed.
Oakwood’s petition for a variance to allow two temporary signs to be located anywhere on the property was tabled. It wants to allow the signs longer then 30 consecutive days, more then two times a year. It also wants to allow 72 square-feet signs each, where the ordinance allows no more then 32 square feet. But the board didn’t want to set a precedent for any other businesses to do the same. “It would be catastrophic and a huge problem,” said board member Ben Plikerd. Parent will work with the Area Planning Commission staff to come up with a better overall proposal.
Oakwood’s petition for the temporary signs will be heard at next month’s meeting.
Jerry Ellis’ petition for a variance to allow a new residence to be constructed 25 feet from the water’s edge was approved. His property is located at 824 S. Lakeside Drive.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 17, at town hall.