In our Meet the Boards & Commissions series, MyRye.com will introduce readers to the boards and commissions of the City of Rye and the residents who run them. All volunteers, these residents give their time and expertise to keep our city running. The series is intended to bring visibility to what each board and commission does, its priorities and what might prompt a resident or another person or company to interact with the group.
We have made our best efforts to reach out to each board and commission chairperson directly or via City officials. If you are a board or commission chair and have not been contacted, or if you are a reader with feedback on this series, please get in touch with MyRye.com.
Meet the Zoning Board of Appeals and its Chair Alan Weil.
Your Name: Alan Weil
Board or Commission: Zoning Board of Appeals
Your role: Chairman
MyRye.com: What is the charter for your Board?
Weil: The Rye City Code Article VIII, Section 197 contains the provisions of Rye’s zoning code. The Zoning Board hears applications for variances from residents/applicants seeking relief from the regulations imposed on property under the City code.
Looking at 2026, what will be your top initiatives?
Weil: No special projects or initiatives are planned for 2026.
Would you be supportive of your meetings being broadcast and recorded by the City for public viewing?
Weil: Zoning Board meetings are already public and are recorded by the City Clerk.
What are your key performance indicators (KPIs)?
Weil: The Zoning Board applies a balancing test when considering applications for variances. This test weighs the benefit to the applicant if a variance is granted against any detriment to the neighborhood or community caused if the requested variance is granted. If an applicant or interested party disagrees with the findings of the Zoning Board the decision can be appealed to the NY Supreme Court in an Article 78 action. One measure of success of the Board is the record on any appeals upholding the Board’s determinations.
Who is the City Council liaison to your Board for 2026?
Weil: The previous liaison was Josh Nathan. To my knowledge a new liaison has not been appointed since Josh was elected mayor.
Tell us about the residents or others you interact with at your Board.
Weil: The Zoning Board interacts with residents/property owners, architects, contractors, lawyers and neighbors when applications are made seeking relief from zoning code restrictions. The Board also works closely and interacts with Corporation Counsel, the City Planner, the City Clerk and the Building Department.
When was your Board chartered by the City of Rye?
Weil: The initial zoning ordinance for the village of Rye was adopted in 1923, and later re-enacted in 1942 after Rye was incorporated as a city. The zoning code has been amended several times, with the most significant revision occurring in 1956.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Weil: I have been on the Zoning Board for about 28 years (originally appointed by then Mayor Ted Dunn) and was appointed chairman by then Mayor Steve Otis.
Besides yourself, who is the longest serving person on your board?
Weil: Alan Wiener.
When does your current appointed term expire?
Weil: I believe the end of 2026.
What is your day job?
Weil: Before retiring from practicing law in December 2023, I was a partner and global head of the real estate practice at international law firm Sidley Austin LLP. Sidley’s real estate practice had over 100 lawyers practicing in offices across the United States and in Europe and Asia.
How much time does your role require in a typical month?
Weil: In a normal month approximately 5 to 10 hours.
If I took you to Jerry’s or Oakland Beach Deli for lunch this week, what would you order?
Weil: A salad.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Weil: We presently live in one of the Poningo Neck townhouses on Milton Road. We moved to Rye in September 1992 and lived in a house on Milton Point until we moved to our present home in 2016.
Thanks Alan!
Learn More:
2025 Profile
Main Board of Appeals page on City website
Members of Board:
Alan Weil, Chair 12-31-26 (term expires)
Guy Dempsey 12-31-27
Anthony DiCaprio 12-31-25
Carolina Johnson 12-31-26
Peter Olsen 12-31-26
Caroline Polisi 12-31-27
Alan Wiener 12-31-25
