Canandaigua City Council met Wednesday night after postponing its originally scheduled Monday meeting due to a lack of quorum caused by illness among council members. During the rescheduled session, the council addressed a range of issues, including a proposed housing development, a budget amendment for the fire department, and the approval of a public art project.
Housing development proposal advances
The council reviewed a resolution certifying the sketch plan submission for Canandaigua Homes LLC’s proposed 27-acre housing development in the northeast quadrant of the city. The project, which would be located near Stewart Place, North Road, and Kennedy Street, was deemed complete by the Planning Committee and referred to the city’s Planning Commission and the Ontario County Planning Board for further review.
Discussion among council members and the developer, Rob Renner of Canandaigua Homes, centered on affordability and infrastructure concerns. While some council members advocated for homes in the $200,000 to $250,000 range to accommodate workforce housing, Renner stated that rising building costs made such pricing infeasible. Instead, homes are expected to start in the low to mid-$300,000 range.
Sidewalks and curbing were also points of discussion. Some council members pushed for sidewalks on both sides of the street, while Renner countered that the additional cost—estimated between $230,000 and $300,000—would make the project financially unviable. The council and developers agreed to explore cost-saving measures, including the potential for substituting granite curbing with concrete.
Concerns were also raised about the impact on local wildlife, as part of the development would require tree removal. Renner noted that while some wildlife is present on the property, the area is already surrounded by development, minimizing the impact.
Council members ultimately approved the sketch plan submission and scheduled a public hearing for March 31 regarding the rezoning of the development site from single-family residential to PUD.
Fire department budget shortfall addressed
A significant portion of the meeting focused on a $52,115 budget amendment to cover an overtime overage in the city’s fire department for 2024. The amendment transfers funds from the Department of Public Works’ budget to cover the shortfall.
City Manager John Goodwin attributed the overage to a combination of factors, including unfilled positions, firefighter injuries, and unexpected retirements. He acknowledged that the fire department exceeded its overtime budget by 112%, a point that raised concerns among council members about fiscal accountability.
Fire Chief Frank Magnera emphasized that maintaining four firefighters on duty per shift was essential for safety and compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. He noted that reducing staffing below this level could impact the city’s insurance rating and increase risk to both firefighters and residents.
Council members expressed frustration over the unexpected budget overage, with some arguing that earlier notification could have led to alternative solutions, such as hiring additional full-time staff. Moving forward, the city will explore ways to avoid similar shortfalls, including analyzing the financial impact of firefighter turnover.
Despite concerns, the amendment passed, ensuring that the fire department remains fully funded.
Public art proposal for Kershaw Park moves forward
The council also approved a resolution allowing a mural project at Kershaw Park’s bathhouse. The project, which will be created by local students, continues an ongoing initiative to enhance public spaces with community artwork.
One point of contention arose over a quote included in the mural design, which incorrectly attributed a statement about swimming education to John Kershaw, the park’s namesake. Council Members noted that historical records suggest the sentiment was more likely expressed by philanthropist Mary Clark Thompson, who established a swimming school in 1906.
The council agreed to a revision of the mural’s wording to ensure historical accuracy while maintaining the project’s artistic integrity.
Other business from the meeting
- Legal Services: The council voted to continue its contract with David Howe as Corporation Counsel following his move from Boylan Code LLP to Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC.
- Upcoming Public Hearings: A public hearing was scheduled to discuss amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan.
- Budget Transfers: The city approved a resolution reallocating funds within the 2024 budget to cover the fire department’s overtime costs.
With the housing development moving forward and budget discussions highlighting fiscal challenges, the council emphasized the need for careful planning and proactive communication in the months ahead. Further discussions on the fire department’s staffing needs and housing affordability are expected to continue in upcoming meetings.
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