Depew zoning board approves 5-foot setback variance for resident’s garage

The Village of Depew Zoning Board of Appeals approved an area variance on Feb. 12, 2026, allowing resident Ronald A. Ramos to build a garage with a 5-foot setback variance.

Acting Chairman Menard opened the public hearing and the board read the legal notice announcing the application. Ramos, who said he lives at 106 Panora Street in Depew, told the board he was seeking permission to build a garage and requested the variance.

Board staff said they assisted Ramos with his application and confirmed the property survey and supporting materials were complete. During the hearing the presiding official reviewed the statutory area-variance criteria with the applicant. Ramos answered that the garage would not produce an undesirable change to neighborhood character, that the benefits could not be achieved by another method, and that the proposed variance—described in the hearing as substantial—would not adversely affect the physical or environmental conditions of the neighborhood. He also indicated the difficulty was not self-created. The minimum variance the applicant listed as necessary was 5 feet.

A board member moved to approve the variance; another member seconded. The roll-call vote recorded yes votes from Member Galvin, Member Yarborough and Acting Chairman Menard, producing a unanimous 3-0 approval. Acting Chairman Menard declared the variance approved.

Staff told Ramos to return to finalize the permit process and the board held no public comments or objections via the in-person hearing or the YouTube channel. The meeting ended after the board moved and voted to adjourn.

The board’s action allows Ramos to proceed with permit finalization; the applicant and staff will complete the remaining administrative steps required before construction begins.