SKANEATELES - A developer proposing the renovation and expansion of the Seitz Building downtown will need to calm worries of congestion and obstruction before the plans move on to the village Board of Trustees.
The JZG Group plans to preserve street-level commercial space and add 10 high-end condominiums to the corner building at Genesee and Jordan streets.
On Tuesday, the zoning board of appeals heard a second round of comment and adjourned a public hearing that began in November until its next meeting.
While the historic and planning boards have approved the proposal, a variance and special use permit are needed for the potential expansion. Architect Andy Ramsgard tinkered with the building's height and parking formula to address zoning board recommendations from November.
In addition to a parking plan that falls short of village standards, congestion in the area caused the majority of concerns.
“I'm very concerned about the vehicle traffic, the pedestrian traffic coming in and out of there,” zoning board member Larry Pardee Jr. said, noting the safety issues the added stress could create.
A handful of neighbors who spoke at Tuesday's hearing shared those reservations.
“As a resident, I'm kind of wondering what an underground parking lot will look like right next to me with 13 cars coming in and out of it.” said Jim Williams of Jordan Street.
Others, like tenant Burt Lipe, said they've been left out of the loop.
“One thing that bothered me is that I didn't even know these meetings were going on until two weeks ago,” said Lipe, owner of Morris Grill and one of five tenants that will remain in the building. “I'm worried about space for my business because they're moving me from the basement to all on the first floor.”
The owner of 9-13 Jordan St. next door called the lack of communication an insult.
“I haven't had a conversation with anyone on this project since the last zoning meeting,” said Peter Wiles Jr., owner of 9-13 Jordan St. and Mid-Lakes Navigation. “I'd like to be a part of the process, not simply have the process done to me.”
Ramsgard offered to work more closely with Wiles and clarified the current tenants will be provided the same amount of space provided in their leases during the transition.
A wall of windows in the rear of Wiles' building would be obstructed by a proposed extension of Seitz, a feature that may be grounds to vote the plan down.
Chairwoman Lisa Banuski suggested the hearing resume at the Jan. 23 meeting to give the board time to research Wiles' situation and give further consideration to public comments.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at shane.liebler@lee.net
On Tuesday, the zoning board of appeals heard a second round of comment and adjourned a public hearing that began in November until its next meeting.
While the historic and planning boards have approved the proposal, a variance and special use permit are needed for the potential expansion. Architect Andy Ramsgard tinkered with the building's height and parking formula to address zoning board recommendations from November.
In addition to a parking plan that falls short of village standards, congestion in the area caused the majority of concerns.
“I'm very concerned about the vehicle traffic, the pedestrian traffic coming in and out of there,” zoning board member Larry Pardee Jr. said, noting the safety issues the added stress could create.
A handful of neighbors who spoke at Tuesday's hearing shared those reservations.
“As a resident, I'm kind of wondering what an underground parking lot will look like right next to me with 13 cars coming in and out of it.” said Jim Williams of Jordan Street.
Others, like tenant Burt Lipe, said they've been left out of the loop.
“One thing that bothered me is that I didn't even know these meetings were going on until two weeks ago,” said Lipe, owner of Morris Grill and one of five tenants that will remain in the building. “I'm worried about space for my business because they're moving me from the basement to all on the first floor.”
The owner of 9-13 Jordan St. next door called the lack of communication an insult.
“I haven't had a conversation with anyone on this project since the last zoning meeting,” said Peter Wiles Jr., owner of 9-13 Jordan St. and Mid-Lakes Navigation. “I'd like to be a part of the process, not simply have the process done to me.”
Ramsgard offered to work more closely with Wiles and clarified the current tenants will be provided the same amount of space provided in their leases during the transition.
A wall of windows in the rear of Wiles' building would be obstructed by a proposed extension of Seitz, a feature that may be grounds to vote the plan down.
Chairwoman Lisa Banuski suggested the hearing resume at the Jan. 23 meeting to give the board time to research Wiles' situation and give further consideration to public comments.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at shane.liebler@lee.net
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