Canandaigua City Council didn’t make a decision on whether to rezone a 27-acre parcel to allow for a proposed 79-home development as residents raised concerns about traffic, drainage, and neighborhood character at Monday’s meeting.
The developer, Canandaigua Homes LLC, is requesting a change from the current R-1B zoning to a Planned Unit Development. The shift would allow detached single-family homes on smaller lots than currently permitted.
Developer Pitches Scaled-Back Project
Rob Renner, representing Canandaigua Homes, said the new plan reflects a major reduction in density compared to earlier proposals. Previous versions included up to 186 townhomes.
“This plan proposes 79 detached homes and follows what’s allowed by-right, just in a different configuration,” Renner explained. “We’re trying to make something economically viable without overcrowding the site.”
He said the proposal meets the housing demand outlined in the Ontario County Housing Study and aims to provide “attainable” housing for young families.
Neighbors Want Changes
While most speakers acknowledged the likelihood of development on the site, many asked for changes. Residents from Kennedy Street, Stewart Place, and North Road raised concerns about construction traffic, potential flooding, and the loss of neighborhood character.
Stan Taylor, a former planning board member, urged the Council to block construction vehicles from using residential streets. He suggested requiring all trucks to access the site via North Road, as the city has done for past projects.
Other residents echoed those concerns and emphasized the importance of traditional neighborhood design — including sidewalks, trees, and curbing on both sides of the street.
Peter Osborne, who lives next to the proposed site, said he prefers this version to previous plans but wants it to match the feel of the surrounding community. “We want to maintain that sense of place,” he said.
Sarah and John Gross, longtime North Road residents, raised environmental concerns. They cited a zero-foot water table on much of the property and warned that poor drainage could cause flooding and damage to homes built on the site.
“We’ve lived next to this land for over 40 years,” Sarah said. “We’ve seen wildlife, birds, and even rare species make it their home. This plan would destroy all of that.”
Council Opts for More Time
City Council opted to keep the public hearing open. They plan to revisit the proposal on April 7.
Renner addressed many of the issues raised. He said the development team would keep all construction traffic on North Road and is coordinating with the Town of Canandaigua on a related road improvement project.
Regarding stormwater concerns, he noted that the city would hold easements to maintain swales and retention ponds. “We want the city to have long-term access,” he said. “It’s not something a private entity should handle.”
He also pushed back on claims about poor soil and water conditions. “These maps show potential conditions, but we’ve done on-site testing,” Renner said. “There’s already 90 homes nearby on the same soil type.”
Housing Costs and Design Tensions
Councilmember Doug Merrill asked whether smaller, more affordable homes—priced below $300,000—were feasible. Renner said that in today’s market, homes priced below $200,000 are typically mobile or modular. The homes proposed would likely sell in the low $300,000s.
Renner acknowledged the challenge of balancing affordability with amenities. Granite curbing, sidewalks on both sides, and redundant water lines would all increase project costs. “At some point the project becomes infeasible,” he said.
The design also includes garages extending slightly in front of the homes—another cost-saving measure that allows for more efficient building layouts.
Residents submitted a petition with 91 signatures opposing the rezoning. While not all were against development, many wanted conditions that would make the project better match existing neighborhoods.
Council Business: Bonds, PFAS, and More
Beyond the rezoning issue, Council approved several resolutions Monday night:
- Resolution #2025-016: Redirects funding from a Deputy Fire Chief position to hire a 19th firefighter.
- Resolution #2025-017: Authorizes $6 million in bonds for upgrades to the city’s water treatment plant.
- Resolution #2025-018: Approves a contingency-based legal agreement to pursue PFAS contamination claims.
- Resolution #2025-019: Finalizes a sewer pump maintenance agreement with the Canandaigua Lady steamboat operation.
- Resolution #2025-020: Determines that amendments to the city’s Comprehensive Plan do not pose environmental harm.
- Resolution #2025-021: Officially adopts those plan amendments.
- Resolution #2025-022: Places liens on properties for unpaid water, sewer, and code enforcement fees.
- Resolution #2025-023: Urges state lawmakers to pass legislation addressing harmful algal blooms in state waterways.
The Council ended the meeting after a brief executive session on personnel matters. The next major discussion on the rezoning proposal is expected April 14.zoning proposal expected to remain a dominant topic.
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