The Syracuse Planning Commission convened on November 10, 2025, to consider a range of land use applications including resubdivisions, site plan reviews, and zoning map amendments. The meeting featured extensive discussion on the proposed Onondaga Hotel and Convention Center, where neighboring property owners raised concerns about building design, drainage, and access. The commission approved several routine resubdivisions and site plans, and postponed two other applications. All votes were unanimous.
Onondaga Hotel and Convention Center: Multiple speakers provided updates and testimony:
Other Applications:
Onondaga Hotel and Convention Center (R-25-48 & MASPR-25-24): The applicant (Brian Bouchard, CHA Consulting) reported on meetings with neighbors since the October hearing. Changes included removing the East Fayette Street exit driveway and adding bike racks. The applicant stated concerns about property line overlaps, drainage, and garage wall openings were either already addressed by code or are private disputes. The chief building official affirmed the project met zoning criteria. The commission voted separately on the resubdivision and site plan review.
Resubdivision 610-616 Carbon Street (R-25-49): The owner explained the lot combination was to allow fencing to address trespassing. No opposition. Approved.
Resubdivision 1502-1510 Burnett Avenue (R-25-52): The representative explained the need to combine parcels to expand the impound lot due to city policy changes limiting vehicle disposal. The commission noted a prior resubdivision was never filed and emphasized filing within 62 days. Approved.
Zoning Map Amendment 100 Elizabeth Street (Z-29-12): The Syracuse Land Bank requested to rezone a small lot from R3 to R2 to combine with an adjacent R2 lot for future resubdivision and new construction. Approved with a recommendation to Common Council.
Valley Drive Resubdivision & Zoning Amendment (R-25-27 & Z-29-13): The applicant sought to recombine four parcels into two to match existing uses, including eliminating paper streets. Approved.
Resubdivision 111 Essex Street & 917 Milton Avenue (R-25-42): The applicant aimed to adjust lot lines to bring the properties into compliance. Staff noted the rear parking was illegal and a variance may be required. Bike racks were added as a condition. Approved.
Three-Mile Limit in DeWitt (3S-25-20): Routine application reviewed by engineering. Approved.
You know, I saw it here. It's been there a couple of years. Clearly not a concerned enough citizen because I didn't call. Thank you. As much as we're going to be. Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this meeting of the Syracuse Planning Commission. We'll begin our public hearing schedule in just a moment. First, we'll take action on the minutes of our previous meeting in November in October. Minutes have been distributed to the commission members in advance. And we are prepared to entertain a motion for action on those minutes. Thank you both. Discussion on that motion. If not, all in favor, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, please say nay. Any abstentions? Our minutes from October the 20th are approved. And we'll move into our hearing schedule. An update though, first on the agenda for this evening. I think we have two items that we will not be proceeding with this evening and have been postponed. I believe the first one is SP 2513 at 4100 South Salina Street. It's a special use permit. That has been held or postponed at the request of the applicant, I believe. And then secondly, there's a three-part application also under new business for the Spencer Street concrete facility. R 2547, SP 2527, the special use permit that corresponds to that, and then MASPR 2523, the major site plan review, also associated with that. So in all those three instances for that one project at that location, applicant has requested that we postpone action, so we will not be hearing those three hearings this evening, nor will we be acting upon them. Pardon me? Whether or not the applicant chooses to participate. Whether or not the applicant will logically could advertise it, open a public hearing, let the public participate. And if the applicant wants to wants to postpone or they don't want to participate, that's fine. Well, we could, but that's not how we operate. And we will not allow it to be heard unless the public has had notice. So on those items, we will not hold public hearing, nor will we act this evening. We will attend to other items on the agenda uh just by way of guidance for anyone who may be here for the first time in terms of process. Um, as each application is announced by a member of the staff, we asked that the applicant or the representative come to the podium in the center of the room, provide their name and address for the record, and then a brief summary of the application involved. Following questions from the commission members, we will invite members of the public who wish to speak in favor of the application to do that. Again, coming to the podium, providing their name and address for the record, and then we will invite members of the public who wish to speak in opposition to the application to come forward to do that as well. We ask that speakers keep their comments to three minutes so that we can accommodate all speakers and get through our agenda this evening. And where comments are offered in opposition, the applicant will be afforded an opportunity to address the comments made in opposition. So is with that as uh little guidance, we are ready to begin with our first public hearing for this evening. Well, and actually, uh, if you announce it, and we actually had the hearing that's more of an update, I think we're having this evening after holding this last time. But if you would please introduce it. Yes, uh, old business item, the Onondaga Hotel and Convention Center. It's a resubdivision with a companion major site plan review. Um this is an MX5 zone district uh represented by CHA consulting. Thank you. And just to frame this a little bit, um, there was a presentation by the applicant uh last meeting in October. There was a lot of discussion uh around the application, and the commission did not act at that time, and uh created a little space where there might be some dialogue and discussion amongst the um most interested parties with that. And we're here back tonight to hear new information that may have arisen from those conversations. So if you would please correct.