The City of Canandaigua Planning Commission reviewed multiple development proposals and approved several applications during its March 11 meeting, including two rooming house requests, a new medical office building and several historic district signage changes.
Commissioners opened public hearings on two applications seeking special use permits to operate rooming houses within existing residential properties.
The first involved 53 Chapin St., submitted by Eagle Mountain Properties. Applicant Sky Ferguson told the commission the duplex has functioned as a rooming house since 2012 and that additional documentation addressing parking and common area square footage had been submitted following earlier board questions.
During the public hearing, tenant Ron Senna spoke in support of the property, saying he had lived there for more than six years.
“I feel very fortunate and blessed to be a tenant,” Senna said, adding that the housing arrangement provides affordability and independence.
Commission members discussed broader policy questions related to the 1,000-foot spacing requirement for rooming houses and whether additional variances could lead to more similar applications in the future. Planning staff noted that variances are considered individually and that City Council could amend regulations if needed.
A second public hearing was also held for 86 Bemis St., submitted by SkyRec Development, which similarly seeks a special use permit to operate a rooming house in an existing structure.
Medical office building approved on Parrish Street
The commission unanimously approved a site plan and architectural review application for 197 Parrish St., submitted by Lakeside Professional Properties.
The proposal represents Phase 2 of a development originally approved in 2012 and includes construction of a two-story medical office building totaling approximately 25,320 square feet.
Mike Montalto of Costich Engineering presented the project to the commission alongside Lakeside Professional Properties representative Karl Schuler. Montalto said the project largely refreshes the previously approved plan, with minor architectural updates and improvements to stormwater infrastructure to comply with current state environmental requirements.
Schuler told the commission the building will house Lakeside ENT, a medical practice expanding its operations. The practice plans to relocate into the new facility and add related services including audiology and cosmetic procedures.
Commissioners determined the updated project remained consistent with the environmental review completed for the original approval and voted 7-0 to approve the application.
Temporary tent planned at Parkway Plaza
Another public hearing addressed an application from Sunwalker Farms to install a temporary tent at 101 Eastern Blvd. in Parkway Plaza.
Owner Kurt Boschneck told the commission the tent would support a one-year anniversary event for the business’s food truck operations, which feature chicken and waffles and mini donuts. The tent would be located in the parking lot and used during daytime hours.
Downtown signage applications approved
The commission also reviewed several historic alteration applications within the downtown district.
One request involved 83R South Main St., where Anna Kern Fine Art sought approval to install signage. Commissioners approved the application with an amendment allowing a modification to the entry door beneath the sign to include additional glass while keeping the same frame.
The motion passed unanimously.
Another application involved 83 South Main St., where In Bloom Florals sought approval to install signage on the historic building.
Brief discussion on downtown clock
Near the end of the meeting, commissioners briefly discussed public calls to City Hall regarding a change to the clock face located in front of Canandaigua National Bank downtown.
Planning staff said the clock sits on city property and that a licensing agreement governing the installation may require city approval for design changes. The matter may be reviewed further depending on the circumstances.
The commission adjourned after completing the meeting agenda.
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