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COMPLETED: 307 Rosedale Street | Variance Application

A zoning variance application has been submitted on this property. The public hearing is July 24, 2025 at 6:00 pm in Rochester City Hall. The basic details and various links are provided on this page.

FINAL UPDATE JULY 25, 2025

The ZBA’s ruling: “Approved with lesser relief. The applicant shall provide a pavement plan with a maximum of 66% lot coverage to be approved by the Manager of Zoning.”

The ZBA had to reconcile countervailing interests: maximum “coverage” (The amount of space covered by buildings and pavement on the parcel as a percentage of the lot size.) vs the code-required number of off-street parking spaces at that address (four).

Due to the lot size at 307 Rosedale Street in order to get the necessary number of standard-sized parking spaces the property will require more coverage than the 50% the zoning code calls for at this location. To make matters more complicated, the lot space necessary for four parking spaces does NOT allow enough additional room for vehicles to maneuver in and out. The city will allow both "permeable" materials AND natural landscape/plantings to balance the need for off street parking with the requirement for reducing the coverage.

If you have questions about this variance or the results, please write to umna@uppermonroe.org

UPDATE JULY 23, 2025

UMNA submitted the following commentary in opposition to this variance application. Please scroll down on the document to read the entire submission.

Contact umna@uppermonroe.org if you have questions about this matter.

Property: 307 Rosedale Street

Background

The following is a layperson's description of the situation as determined by a review of information provided online by the City of Rochester and as described by the owner during a site visit on July 7, 2025.

  • SUMMARY: In 2024 the driveway and rear parking area were repaved without a permit from the City. As a result, the property does not meet minimum standards for greenspace.

  • The property owner has requested a variance to waive greenspace requirements and allow the repaved driveway and parking areas to remain in their current configuration.

  • MORE DETAILS: In 2024 the owner applied to renew the Certificate of Occupancy for this four unit residential property (as required by City code/regulation). Along with other miscellaneous items the city inspector cited the driveway/back parking lot areas as needing attention. Instead of repairing the broken areas of the existing driveway/back parking lot (and retaining the small greenspaces that were present at the time) the owner chose to replace the existing driveway and back parking lot but, as noted above, failed to obtain the necessary permit. Had the owner applied for a permit they would have known that complete replacement of the existing driveway and back parking lot triggered the restoration of the minimum greenspace requirements for this property.

  • NOTES: The new driveway was installed with a negative slope to the rear where a drywell was installed to help mitigate stormwater runoff. Existing concrete sidewalks were replaced with new concrete sidewalks at the same time as the paving work was done. The driveway and rear parking areas of 307 Rosedale were re-surfaced by the same contractor and at the same time as 297 Rosedale Street.

Interested parties are strongly encouraged to read the official ZBA staff report

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307 Rosedale St - Jul2025 ZBA staff report.pdf
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Contact umna@uppermonroe.org if you have questions about this matter.

"Before" Pictures (circa 2023-2024)

The photos below were taken from google.com/maps.com

Photo circa 2023-2024 as seen on Google Map
Photo circa 2023-2024 as seen on Google Map
Photo circa 2023-2024 as seen on Google Map - Tree removed in 2024 before the city inspection and before consideration of the driveway.
Photo circa 2021 using Google Streetview - Tree removed in 2024 before the city inspection and before consideration of the driveway.

"After" Pictures

This photos below were taken by an UMNA representative on two separate occasions: May 13, 2025 and July 2, 2025 during a site visit of 307 Rosedale and with the permission of the owner.

Photo taken of 307 Rosedale from the backyard of 297 Rosedale on May 13, 2025
Photo taken of 307 Rosedale on July 7, 2025
Photo taken of 307 Rosedale on July 7, 2025
The stones conceal a drywell that is designed to capture storm water run-off from the driveway.

Zoning Board Of Appeals - Public Hearing Information

  • LOCATION: City Hall, City Council Chambers, 30 Church St. Rm. 302-A, Rochester, NY 14614

  • DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM

  • PLACE ON THE ZBA AGENDA: #4 (CLICK FOR FULL AGENDA)

Members of the public are encouraged to comment directly on this application.

Comments may be submitted at any time before the hearing. If you email comments, please copy in umna@uppermonroe.org.

  1. Submit a written comment by email, mail, or deliver it to City Hall.

    • Email: zoningboard@cityofrochester.gov

    • US Mail: Zoning Office c/o Zoning Board, 30 Church St. Rm. 125B, Rochester, NY 14614

    • Written comment submission deadline: close-of-business, the business day before the hearing by 5:00 P.M.

    • Written comments must include the project address and the commentor's first name, last name, address, and contact information.

  2. Speak at the public hearing.

    • Location: City Hall, City Council Chamber, 30 Church St. Rm. 302-A, Rochester, NY 14614

    • Comments may not exceed 3 minutes in length or 10 minutes for neighborhood associations.

Contact umna@uppermonroe.org if you have questions about this matter.

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