The Town of Canandaigua Planning Board approved a shoreline improvement project on West Lake Boulevard and delayed further review of a proposed 38-home subdivision during its March 10 meeting.
The board voted to continue consideration of two related subdivision applications on County Road 16 until April 14 after the applicant requested more time to submit revised plans. Later in the meeting, members granted site plan approval for shoreline rehabilitation and related improvements at a lakeside property on West Lake Boulevard following discussion about landscaping, utilities and drainage.
Subdivision review postponed
The board first addressed two applications from Anthony Venezia and Rocco Venezia involving property on County Road 16. The project proposes a conservation subdivision with 38 single-family homes on parcels of about 20,000 square feet, along with a first phase creating 10 lots.
Chairperson Charles Oyler said the applicant asked to postpone the continued hearing again so revised plans could be prepared.
“We just found out this evening that the applicant would like to postpone it to the 14th of April,” Oyler said during the meeting.
Board members approved motions to continue both the overall subdivision review and the phase-one subdivision to the April 14 meeting.
Before the vote, a nearby resident spoke about flooding concerns.
Ellen Lawless, who said she lives several houses away from the cobblestone cottage near the proposed development, told the board runoff from the area already reaches her property during heavy rain.
“While we’re not opposed to anybody developing their own property, I just want to point out… there is a runoff between at the end of my property and between their property, and it overflows all the time,” Lawless said.
She asked board members to consider whether new construction could worsen flooding or come close to her property line.
Oyler responded that stormwater management is a major issue under review and that engineering analysis is used to ensure runoff does not increase after development.
“In theory, the runoff can be no greater after the construction project is built out than it was before,” he said.
Shoreline improvement project approved
The board later reviewed a site plan application from Sue Steele for improvements at 3407 West Lake Blvd. The proposal includes shoreline rehabilitation, reconfiguration of an existing deck, vegetative buffers and installation of a permanent dock and boat station.
Steele said revisions were made after earlier feedback from the board and county agencies, including reducing paved areas and relocating features to avoid a sewer easement.
“We took all the comments from this board very seriously,” she told members.
Changes included shortening pavement areas, moving stairs and reducing walkway width to maintain existing lot coverage and avoid requiring zoning variances.
Board members discussed landscaping plans along the shoreline and property lines, particularly after a neighboring property owner raised concerns about trees blocking lake views. Members encouraged coordination with the neighbor while maintaining vegetation required under shoreline development guidelines.
The board also discussed drainage and runoff from the property, including whether additional stormwater controls could improve water quality before runoff reaches the lake.
Ultimately, members determined the revised plan maintained existing lot coverage and included mitigation measures such as vegetated areas to absorb runoff.
The board approved the site plan with multiple conditions, including final landscaping details, approvals from outside agencies and additional information on the design of a gas line serving a fire pit.
Other business
The board also:
- Approved minutes from the Feb. 24 meeting.
- Noted that a surety release listed on the agenda had already been approved at a previous meeting.
- Received notice that the Town Board will soon refer proposed revisions to the town’s form-based code for Planning Board review.
Town staff said a public hearing on the updated form-based code is scheduled to open March 16, with the Planning Board expected to review the proposal and provide a recommendation at a future meeting.
Looking ahead
The Planning Board’s next major discussion on the County Road 16 subdivision is expected April 14, when revised plans are scheduled to be presented.
Members will also begin reviewing the proposed form-based code revisions once materials are distributed.
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