The Canandaigua Town Planning Board opened 2026 with a procedural reset on a long-debated cell tower, a spirited discussion over Sunset Ridge, and multiple residential approvals along Canandaigua Lake.
Here’s a look at what happened at the Jan. 27 meeting — and what’s on deck for February.
Cell tower proposal shifts to new parcel, process starts over
The most closely watched item involved the proposed Verizon personal wireless communication facility on County Road 8.
After months of discussion and neighbor input, the applicant — represented by Nixon Peabody — secured an agreement with an adjacent property owner to relocate the tower deeper into a wooded area. The structure itself remains the same, but the parcel is different.
Because the tower is now proposed on a separate tax parcel, the board determined that a new application was required. The original application (CPN-2024-117) was continued and its review clock extended, while a new application (CPN-2026-005) was formally introduced for the revised location.
Both items are scheduled for further action at the Feb. 24 meeting, where the original application will be continued and the new application will be subject to a public hearing.
The result: the tower proposal isn’t gone — but it’s effectively restarting at a new location on the same stretch of County Road 8.
Gulf Road home reapproved after prior approval expired
The board reapproved a single-family home at 5983 Gulf Road after the applicant’s prior site plan approval expired.
The project had originally been approved in November 2024, but required resubmission when the time window lapsed. During earlier review, neighbors raised concerns about runoff. The board had required stormwater controls capable of handling a two-year design storm and review by the town’s code office.
At the January meeting, members confirmed those conditions had been satisfied and approved the site plan again, carrying forward updated conditions.
Lakefront tear-down and rebuild approved on County Road 16
The board also approved a tear-down and rebuild at 3385 County Road 16 along Canandaigua Lake.
The proposal includes demolition of the existing home, construction of a new residence, relocation of the garage, removal and reconstruction of a pool, and updated stormwater management practices.
Key discussion points included:
- Ensuring no direct discharge from the pool into the lake
- Confirming proper stormwater infiltration design
- Compliance with shoreline guidelines
- Landscaping and tree preservation
The board added a condition that any pool drainage cannot directly discharge to the lake. The project was approved with conditions.
Airport Road landscaping project receives extension
A landscaping facility proposal on Airport Road received a first 90-day extension.
The applicant is awaiting a wetlands jurisdictional determination from the DEC. Board members acknowledged state review timelines remain unpredictable and granted the extension to allow the process to continue.
Sunset Ridge extension sparks debate over stormwater and delays
The most substantive policy discussion of the evening centered on a requested 180-day extension for Phase 1 of the Sunset Ridge subdivision.
The project has already received preliminary overall and final Phase 1 approvals. However, the one-year window to obtain required permits is expiring.
Town code allows extensions unless field conditions or regulations have changed significantly enough to warrant reconsideration. Board members debated whether:
- Downstream drainage conditions have worsened
- Stormwater calculations remain adequate
- Prior site disturbances altered the board’s original intent
- Delays tied to utility “will serve” letters and the state’s fossil fuel ban constituted legitimate external factors
Town staff explained that previous SWPPP violations had been addressed, the stormwater design had been revised and reapproved, and delays were largely tied to regulatory and utility uncertainties.
After extended discussion, the board granted a 180-day extension for Phase 1.
What’s coming up in February?
February 10
The Feb. 10 agenda includes:
- A three-lot subdivision on Grimble Road (public hearing required)
- A variance review on West Lake Boulevard for increased nonconforming lot coverage
- A first extension request for a commercial facility on State Route 332
- A subdivision/site plan extension request on Parkside Drive
- A retroactive site plan extension on Poplar Beach Road related to prior land clearing near the lake
The board will also consider multiple partial surety releases for subdivisions and apartment projects.
February 24
The Feb. 24 meeting is expected to draw the most attention:
- A public hearing for a two-lot industrial subdivision on Brickyard Road
- Continued review of the original County Road 8 tower application (CPN-2024-117)
- Public hearing and review of the new tower application (CPN-2026-005)
The relocated cell tower proposal will likely dominate discussion as it moves through referral and public hearing stages.
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