Syracuse Planning Commission Meeting – February 2, 2026

The Syracuse Planning Commission convened on February 2, 2026, to approve minutes, act on several development applications, and conduct a workshop on a proposed moratorium for battery energy storage systems (BESS). The meeting resulted in approvals for a special use permit, the Parkside Commons project, the West Genesee redevelopment, and the South Krauss apartment project, along with a discussion on the BESS moratorium.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the January 12, 2026 meeting. The motion carried with all in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• SP-25-26 (401 Pond Street): Councilor Martinabe spoke in favor of the application but raised concerns about ongoing vehicle parking issues, including unlicensed vehicles and vehicles blocking the sidewalk. She requested clarification on where vehicles will be parked after the project is completed. The applicant responded that the parking issues are caused by an adjacent property owner, not his own lot, and that he plans to install curbing and signage to prohibit parking on the grass and sidewalk. No other public speakers appeared for or against this application. For all other agenda items, no public speakers came forward.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – Withdrawal of BESS Applications: The commission noted that three companion applications for a battery energy storage system at East Brighton Ave (resubdivision, special use permit, and major site plan review) were withdrawn by the applicant. No further action was taken.
• SP-25-26 – All-American Market (401 Pond Street): The applicant, Jesus Ibrahim of TMB Properties, presented revised site plans addressing DPW comments on ADA access, bike parking, sidewalk, and parking area. The commission acknowledged compliance with the SEPTED report. Discussion focused on parking enforcement and neighbor disputes. The special use permit was approved with seven conditions.
• Parkside Commons Project (193 units, Westmoreland Ave & East Fayette St): The applicant (Ed Martin, Passero Associates; Connor Kenny, developer) presented six companion applications (master plan review, zoning map amendment, two resubdivisions, two major site plan reviews). Key features: 143 units in Parcel A (5-story, now compliant after adding a strip of land), 50 units in Parcel B. Parking: 82 interior, no exterior lot. The developer noted relocation of existing residents from the eastern portion of the campus into new construction, with the western portion (200 units) to be substantially rehabbed. Safety measures include 24-hour security and an office for Syracuse Police. All applications were approved individually with conditions.
• 1207 West Genesee Redevelopment Project: Ben Harrell (CHA Consulting) proposed a 6,900 sq ft retail/office building on 0.93 acres, with demolition of two existing buildings. The project includes 55 parking spaces, landscaping, and bicycle parking. Discussion included a county planning board recommendation for additional screening at the rear; the applicant agreed to consider adding trees. The resubdivision and major site plan review were approved.
• 201 South Krauss Apartment Project (88 studio apartments): Brian Bouchard (CHA Consulting) presented a five-story building with preservation of the historic Ignatius Feisinger House (1010 East Washington) as an amenity space. The house will be renovated with an ADA lift enclosure approved by the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board. The project includes 12% affordable units (30-year affordability period). The resubdivision and major site plan review were approved with conditions, including outstanding taxes noted.
• Workshop on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Moratorium: Staff outlined the proposed six-month moratorium to allow the city to study BESS safety, fire prevention, decommissioning funding, and zoning updates. The commission clarified this was an information session only; no recommendation to council will be made. Discussion included the 80-kilowatt threshold (based on DeWitt's model), interactions with the fire code, and upcoming educational symposia. No public comments were offered.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes: Approved unanimously.
• SP-25-26 (All-American Market): Approved (motion carried with conditions: hours of operation, no neon signage, no cooked food, photographic evidence of site improvements within 90 days, no tobacco sales, DPW conditions including 5-ft sidewalk and turf grass with parking prohibition).
• Parkside Commons – Master Plan Review (MASPR-25-27): Approved with two conditions (obtain all city approvals, continue working with departments).
• Parkside Commons – Zoning Map Amendment (Z-29-18): Approved as a recommendation to the Common Council (after correction of vote procedure) with two conditions.
• Parkside Commons – Resubdivision (R-25-72): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days of council approval of Z-29-18.
• Parkside Commons – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-25): Approved with five conditions (council approval of zoning amendment, affordable units compliant with city restrictions, certification by DNB).
• Parkside Commons – Resubdivision (R-25-73): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days of approval.
• Parkside Commons – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-26): Approved with four conditions (affordable unit compliance, certification by DNB, 30-year affordability, necessary land use approvals before commercial use).
• 1207 West Genesee – Resubdivision (R-25-61): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days.
• 1207 West Genesee – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-30): Approved with four conditions (curbing/landscaping to prevent sidewalk parking, snow storage on site, updated floor plans for tenants, coordination with county WEP).
• 201 South Krauss – Resubdivision (R-25-64): Approved with condition to file map within 62 days (note: outstanding taxes must be paid before map signing).
• 201 South Krauss – Major Site Plan Review (MASPR-25-31): Approved with ten conditions (including 6 covered bike spaces, 12% affordable units, compliance with city income/rent restrictions, certification by DNB, 30-year affordability, coordination with I-81 project, county water capacity insurance, ADA lift enclosure details per Landmark Preservation Board).
• BESS Moratorium Workshop: Informational only; no vote. The proposed moratorium will be submitted to the Common Council for consideration within the next few weeks.