AUBURN - The fate of a proposed housing development on the west end of the city will have to wait another month.

The Auburn Zoning Board of Appeals postponed a decision Monday on whether or not the project can be zoned for multi-family residents. Developers are looking to build 30 semi-detached homes and a community building on 8.5 acres off Clark Street and Belmont Avenue.

The next ZBA meeting is scheduled for July 27.

The main reason for tabling the item was the absence of board member Susan Marteney. Four board members must give support to approve the use variance, and Gregory Lane, a consultant working with the developers, requested to wait until all seven members are present.

“This is such an important project. ... I think it's important the full zoning board be here for this,” Lane said.

This is not the first time attendance has been a factor at a ZBA meetings. Last month, only five members - including Marteney - were present. At that meeting, the board voted 3-2 to declare the project would not have a major impact on the surrounding environment.

Despite the fact that the majority in attendance supported the negative declaration, it failed to get support from the majority of the board.

According to minutes from past ZBA meetings, the entire board has met only once during 2009.

Board chair Craig Westlake said after the meeting that Marteney called ahead to inform the board of her absence, and she consistently attends. Next month, he said, everyone is expected to show up.

Zoning and planning officials have been discussing the proposal for weeks.

After the ZBA was not able to make the negative declaration at the May meeting, the board asked the developers to address possible environmental concerns for Monday.

That request came after local residents complained they were not properly notified about the development and raised concerns over how the units would affect the local green space and quality of life. Members of the public have also claimed the development could add unwanted noise, light and traffic to the neighborhood.

The units would be available to low-income renters, families with developmentally disabled members and those in need of other human services, according to the proposal. If approved, the $6.8 million project would be financed by the New York State Housing Trust Fund, developers have said.

The city Planning Board also has to approve the site plan before the development can move forward, but the ZBA decision must take place first.

About 10 local residents showed up Monday to hear the expected decision. Many of them expressed disappointment over the fact that no public hearing was held during the meeting.

The ZBA held a public hearing last month on the topic and about a dozen people showed up to speak - most of them against the proposal.

Bonnie Garropy was not at that meeting and she wanted to voice her opinion this time. She is against the development, but she said she believes it is “a done deal” and that the city will allow it.

“I've only heard bits and pieces and pieces about what they are proposing,” Garropy said. “I would've liked the opportunity to find out more.”

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.