A proposal to replace a dilapidated, long-vacant cottage on Croton's Riverview Trail with a new accessory dwelling unit for a widowed resident's daughter won unanimous approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals on December 16, despite requiring two significant variances. Rosanne MacDonald, who has lived in the village for more than 15 years, sought to tear down the unsafe structure that hasn't been occupied since approximately 1986 and replace it with an 800-square-foot prefabricated cottage. Her daughter, Annette Forte, told the board she needs the space to live on-site and support her recently widowed mother, but cannot move into the main house due to pet restrictions in her current apartment lease. Because the property sits on a dead-end street with extremely steep topography behind the existing structure, moving the cottage further back on the lot would require massive excavation. That left the proposed location at about 24 feet 5 inches from the street—closer than the primary residence's 45.7-foot setback—requiring a front-yard variance of roughly 21 feet 2 inches. The cottage's 18-foot 3-inch height also exceeded the 15-foot maximum by 3 feet 3 inches, a variance requested primarily to match the roof pitch of the main house. Board members called the setback variance "substantial" but noted it was mitigated by the property's unique conditions and limited visibility from neighbors. Chairperson Christine Wagner observed that relocating the structure further back was "potentially impossible" given the terrain. The board also noted that replacing the eyesore would actually improve the neighborhood. Earlier in the evening, the board granted a smaller variance to Noelle Sirico and John O'Brien at 21 Elmore Avenue for a rear shed dormer on their 1950 home. Architect Joseph Arnow explained that the 2.6-foot side yard variance was needed because post-2001 zoning code changes made the existing structure nonconforming, even though the dormer itself would not increase any encroachments. The board found the hardship was technically self-created but "unavoidable" given the code changes. The meeting also marked the end of Wagner's tenure as chair. Assistant Village Engineer Ron Wegner and board members thanked her for her service before the meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Both applications will proceed to Planning Board review for detailed site and construction approval.