**CLAY** — Northside Baptist Church took a significant step forward Monday night in its plans to expand its community and athletic facilities. During a brief meeting of the Town of Clay Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), members voted unanimously to grant the church an area variance regarding setback requirements. The decision paves the way for the church to move forward with a Site Plan review before the Planning Board next month. The variance was necessary because the church's proposed expansion—located at 7965 Oswego Road—encroaches on the standard rear yard setback. Town code typically requires a 50-foot buffer in the RA-100 Residential Agricultural District, but the church requested a reduction to 25 feet to facilitate the addition. Alex Samoray, representing the church through Keplinger Freeman Associates, told the board that the expansion is driven by a need to serve the community. She stated the project is designed to help accommodate the church's basketball league, improve courtyard and patio areas, and expand the youth sports field. Addressing the board's standards of proof, Samoray stated the applicant did not believe the variance would create an undesirable change to the character of the neighborhood, and that the project would improve the appearance of the property through site improvements and enhanced landscaping. The project has secured a "no position with comment" referral from the Onondaga County Planning Board. While the applicant acknowledged that the variance is "substantial" and the need is "self-created," they argued there are no other feasible methods that would adequately meet the church's needs. Board Chairperson Vivian Mason led a discussion to confirm the zoning boundaries, verifying that the parcel does not extend into the adjacent RC-1 Regional Commercial Zoning District. Finding no objections from the board or the public, the hearing was closed and a vote was taken. Board Member Ryan Frantzis made the motion to approve the variance, contingent on the project being in "substantial compliance with Exhibit A." The motion was seconded by Member David Porter and carried with a 5-0 vote. (Member Mary Lou DesRosier was absent). Brian Bender, the Town Planning & Development Commissioner, noted that the church will appear before the Planning Board on December 10, 2025, to seek formal Site Plan approval for the details of the construction, lighting, and parking revisions. The ZBA meeting, held at Clay Town Hall, was called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned shortly after 6:00 p.m. Other business on the agenda was limited to the approval of minutes from the October 13 meeting and standard procedural motions regarding the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR).