Balsam Lane Variance Requests Denied by Zoning Board

Several variance requests from the owner of a mixed-use property in Levittown have been denied by the Board of Zoning Appeals. 

The front of the property at 123 Balsam Lane is the former Sam Jon’s Hair Studio, which faces Hempstead Turnpike, while the rear of the property is an apartment located on Balsam Lane, a residential street.

The variance requests included maintaining a retail store and one apartment, which is not permitted in the LPRD district, waiving off-street parking, special exceptions to park in front yard setbacks on Balsam Lane and Hempstead Turnpike, and a variance to install a dumpster with a 6' high enclosure on Balsam Lane.

Residents on the street strongly opposed the plans for the property.

All requests in the variance application were denied unanimously by the Board, said Gerard Ritter, who lives next door to the property.

"There were no other specifics but I am hoping the building department will follow up and make sure the property is converted back to a one-family dwelling," Ritter said.