Zoning board denies Hammonds' request for 12-foot rear setback at 40 Beach Road

The New Rochelle Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday denied an area variance requested by Devon and Jason Hammonds for 40 Beach Road that would have reduced the rear-yard setback from 30 feet to 12 feet for a two-story addition and new attached garage.

Applicant counsel Jacob Amir told the board the plan moves an existing detached garage away from the property boundary and adds a second-floor master suite and that the proposal “align[s] it to many other homes in the area.” Architect James Fleming walked the board through drawings and said the addition was necessary to create a functional hallway, mudroom and upstairs living space of roughly 18 by 31 feet. Opposing counsel Joseph Bridal argued the application is “an effort to get more living space” rather than a simple garage rebuild and urged the board to adjourn for further review. Neighbor Jacob Yanoviak urged the board to consider the accuracy of neighborhood-support claims and to examine site-specific photos.

Chair Erica Aisner moved to deny the application after board discussion, citing the five-factor balancing test and concluding the request was substantial and at least partly self-created; the motion was seconded and the board denied the variance. The denial ends this application for the relief requested; no alternative remedy was adopted at the meeting.