As the Skaneateles village board continues moving forward on the work to renovate its new home in the old Fennell Street fire station, it also is attending to the future of its current home at 46 East Genesee St.
The board held a public hearing on Jan. 10 on the Critical Impact resolution regarding the renovation, expansion and change of use of the building at 46 East Genesee St. The building, which had been owned by the village since 1929, was offered for sale last February and sold to developer Rick Moscarito, president of Finger Lakes Luxury Homes, in March for $855,000.
Project Architect Robert O. Eggleston presented the application for Finger Lakes Luxury Homes to the board at its Jan. 10 meeting, and said the building renovations plans call for converting the first floor to commercial use and the second and third floors to residential space. The developer intends to add an elevated addition to the back of the building, back decks on the top two levels, a first floor garage and patio, and an elevator.
The village zoning board of appeals, planning board and Historic Landmarks Preservation Committee all have approved the project plans that have come before their boards, and the immediate building neighbors have no objection to the project, Eggleston said.
During the public hearing, neighbor Julie Sharpe also said she and the other neighbor have no objection to the project, and are both “satisfied thus far” that the developer and architect have “taken great pains to accommodate neighbors.”
Mayor Marty Hubbard read the Critical Impact resolution which requires that the project meets all prescribed village codes and regulations, that it will create no adverse impact to the immediate neighborhood, that the proposed improvements are in harmony with the aesthetics of the neighborhood and that traffic controls for the project are adequate to protect public safety.
The board unanimously approved the resolution.
Also at the meeting, the board:
—Accepted the resignation of Megan Keady from the village planning board. The trustees plan to appoint Keady’s successor at their April reorganizational meeting and are now seeking applications and letters of interests for the position. Applications or questions can be directed to [email protected] or via telephone to 685-3007.
—Agreed to direct the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce to take down the temporary business signs currently erected at the corners of Genesee and Jordan streets and Jordan and Fennel streets.
The signs, proposed by the chamber last November, display the names of local businesses as a way to bolster pedestrian and vehicle traffic down specific streets. The village board agreed to allow temporary signs to be placed until the end of the 2012 calendar year.
Since the signs are still standing, the board agreed to request the chamber’s compliance with its previous Dec. 31 deadline, and also to invite the chamber to give an updated presentation to the board of the sign proposal.
—Was informed by Fire Chief Eric Sell that the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department collected $5,220 during the recent statewide boot drive for the families of the killed and injured firefighters at the West Webster Fire Department.
Two firefighters were filled and two wounded when they were ambushed by a gunman while responding to a fire call in Webster on Dec. 24.
Sell said the Skaneateles VFD sent four of its members to attend the funerals in Webster.
—Approved a resolution appointing election inspectors for the general village election to be held on Tuesday, March 19.
The board appointed as inspectors Anne E. Buehler, Anne E. Emperor, Betty Liegel and Bill Schneider, and Marion Marchand as an alternate.
Buehler was designated as chairperson of the inspectors.
—Approved the request of the Skaneateles Central School District to hold commencement exercises in Clift Park on Sunday, June 23 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].
