The Croton-on-Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals approved two variance requests at its May 19 meeting — one for a front-yard mudroom addition on Irving Avenue and another for a corner-lot fence on Young Avenue. ## 71 Irving Avenue: Mudroom Addition Don and Betsy Laird received a 1.5-foot front yard variance to build a mudroom and second-floor closet as part of a larger renovation at their 71 Irving Avenue home. Architect Joseph Arno presented the plan, which includes a full second story and attic addition to the existing one-and-a-half-story house, a front portico, and the contested mudroom extension. The property, located in an RA5 Residence District, has an existing front setback of 19.4 feet — 4.4 feet beyond the required 15 feet. The 1.5-foot variance allows a five-foot-deep enclosed mudroom plus framing and siding. The portico, at six feet deep, remains in compliance with zoning requirements and does not require relief. Arno told the board that without the additional foot and a half, the mudroom would be impractically shallow. "It would be very tight just for the sake of having the mudroom because we're keeping the existing house front," he said. "Having five feet would really be a reasonable distance to have the mudroom and the entry." The home sits at the end of a dead-end street, and Arno noted several two-story homes nearby, making the proposed additions consistent with neighborhood character. A prior two-foot front yard variance was granted in 2019 for an existing deck on the northeast side of the house, which will remain. Board members praised the design, particularly a supplemental option featuring a dormer that Arno said was inspired by Sears catalog homes in the area. "It's very contextual," one board member said. The variance was approved unanimously. No one from the public spoke on the application. ## 40 Young Avenue: Corner Fence Coleman Clancy and his wife Kate received an 18-inch variance to install a 48-inch fence within the corner setback triangle at their 40 Young Avenue property, at the intersection of Young Avenue and Benedict Boulevard. Village code limits fences in that triangular area — within 30 feet of the intersection — to 30 inches in height. The applicants sought relief to install a four-foot open aluminum fence, primarily for safety reasons related to their infant daughter and potential future pets. "While a 30-inch fence would technically mark the property boundary, it would not provide meaningful safety or containment for a young child or a dog," Clancy told the board. "At that height, a child could easily climb over it as they grow and it would not reliably contain a pet." The request had precedent: the previous owners of the home received an identical variance in 2023 but never built the fence, letting the approval expire. The board imposed the same conditions — the fence cannot exceed four feet in height and must be no more than 25% solid. Neighbor John Farrell of 34 Young Avenue spoke in support, noting he has the same fence on his property. Farrell described a traffic accident involving his own dog on Benedict Avenue before the fence was installed and said a 30-inch fence "is not keeping my Margie in the yard." Another neighbor, Julie Evans Weigman, also supported the application and noted that a four-foot privet hedge had stood at the location for decades until about three years ago. Board discussion focused on ensuring the conditions matched the prior variance. "I would suggest that if we're going to grant this variance, that we essentially grant it the same way that it was previously granted," one member said. The variance was approved unanimously with the conditions. During the board's required five-factor review, members noted that while the 18-inch variance is substantial, it is mitigated by the distance between the property line and the street, as well as the 25% solidity requirement. ## Minutes Approved The board approved minutes from its March 17 and April 21 meetings, with one abstention on the March minutes from a member who was not present at that session.