By ANDY GARDNER

Two Massena businesses seeking variances to alter their properties were denied by the Massena Village Zoning Board on Tuesday night.

George Malone went before the board as a representative of American Asphalt, Inc. The business wants to take an apartment building it owns at 106 West Hatfield Street and add a 25-foot by 35-foot apartment and a commercial coin laundry.

Board member Barbara Morrow made a motion to approve the request, but it did not receive a second.

“I think the board’s concern is they think its too much being crammed into one building,” Chairman Tim LePage said.

Morrow said she went and looked at the building and spoke with tenants and they seemed happy with the existing conditions and weren’t opposed to the renovations. Other board members declined an invitation from Malone to inspect the property.

The board also denied a variance request from Anthony O’Geen, who owns Tony’s Leather and Canvas at 355 South Main Street. O’Geen wanted to rent his backyard space for winter boat storage.

Morrow made a motion to approve the request.

“I’m all for somebody who’s trying to get a business started,” she said.

No one offered a second.

When O’Geen asked LePage why his request was denied, LePage answered “nobody seconded the motion.”

Prior to Morrow’s motion, board member Frank Lallier said he was “concerned about security” because there is no fence.

O’Geen said he has never had issues and would have asked all boat owners renting a spot to sign a waiver and remove as many valuables as possible.

“Most people have insurance on them anyways,” he said, adding that Massena Village Police have a spot very close to close his property where they sit and monitor traffic.