State of Emergency and Local Emergency Order Update:
Due to the continued high infection rates associated with the coronavirus pandemic emergency and as authorized by NYS Senate Bill number 50001, which was signed into law by the Governor on September 2, 2021, public hearings will be conducted via video conference.
About the Zoning Board
Boards and commissions afford citizens the opportunity to participate in governance and decision making at all levels of government. This seven member citizen board hears requests for Variances to the City’s Zoning Code, and Administrative Appeals of decisions made by the Manager of Zoning.
The Zoning Board’s authority and procedures are established by law in Sections 120-186 and 120-195 of the City's Zoning Code. Applications must be reviewed in accordance with specific standards in the City Code, and a Decision and written findings are made for each application.
Beginning in January 2020, Public Hearings will be held in City Council Chambers, Room 302A, City Hall at 6:00 PM, and staff support is provided by the Division of Zoning. See below for specific schedule times, application deadlines, agendas, and hearing information.
For information, an appointment, application forms, or to request sign language interpreter service at the hearing, please contact Matthew Simonis at (585) 428-6637 or zoningboard@cityofrochester.gov.
Applications must be complete to be accepted, and instructions and fees are specified on each application form. Please note that all applications must be submitted by appointment only, or by other specific arrangement.
Zoning Board Membership
Zoning Board members are selected by the Mayor, are confirmed by City Council, and serve without pay or compensation. Board members must be City residents and serve for a term of 2 years, and may serve without limit to the number of terms. The Board must contain at least one member residing in each City Council district.
If you are interested in applying for a position on the Board, please contact Josanne Reaves in the Mayor’s Office at (585) 428-6140 or email Josanne.Reaves@cityofrochester.gov.
Current Board Members
| FULL MEMBERS: |
|
ALTERNATES: |
| Tyrese Bryant, Chair |
South District |
Joe O'Donnell, Northeast District |
| Cora Murphy, Vice Chair |
Northeast District |
|
| Matt Bain |
Northwest District |
|
| James Best |
Northwest District |
|
| David Carr |
Northeast District |
|
| Laurene Jennings |
East District |
|
| Holly Wheeler |
East District |
|
| Staff: |
| Matthew Simonis, Staff to the Zoning Board |
| Jill Wiedrick, Zoning Board Secretary |
| Johanna Brennan, Legal Counsel to the Zoning Board |
Public Hearing Schedule
| Public Hearing |
Application Deadline |
Agendas |
Grids |
| January 21, 2021 |
December 21, 2020 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| February 18, 2021 |
January 25, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| March 18, 2021 |
February 22, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| April 15, 2021 |
March 22, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| May 13, 2021 |
April 19, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| June 17, 2021 |
May 17, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| July 22, 2021 |
June 21, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| August 19, 2021 |
July 19, 2021 |
Agenda |
Meeting Cancelled |
| September 23, 2021 |
August 23, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| October 21, 2021 |
September 20, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| November 18, 2021 |
October 25, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
| December 16, 2021 |
November 22, 2021 |
Agenda |
Grid |
Please Note: The August 19th, 2021 Zoning Board hearing was cancelled due to lack of a quorum. All cases that were scheduled to be heard will be heard at the September 23, 2021 hearing. Public comments that have already been submitted will be included as part of the application for the September hearing.