Planning board conditionally approves Woodhaven site plan for about 100 apartments

The City of Rome Planning Board on Dec. 2 conditionally approved a site plan for the Woodhaven revitalization, clearing the way for a first‑phase build of approximately 100 multifamily units across ten 10‑unit buildings, subject to staff‑recommended conditions.

Presenters for the applicant included Joe Dannebel of Environmental Design Partnership, Larry Novick of Bonaccio Development, and architect Keith Buff of KBB Architecture. Dannebel described the proposed first phase as a new city street providing access to 100 apartment units with two spaces per unit, sidewalks, connections to public water and stormwater infrastructure, and a low‑pressure grinder‑pump sewer solution. He said the design proposes grinder pumps and a roughly 3‑inch force main tying to the Floyd Avenue gravity sewer so that several buildings’ flows are conveyed to the city system rather than installing gravity sewer within the parcel.

Staff from Community and Economic Development recommended conditional approval and reminded the board the project integrates with the Woodhaven Revitalization Plan adopted in 2018 and that the planning board previously issued a negative declaration for the overall Woodhaven project in 2021. Staff listed specific conditions: final right‑of‑way design to the satisfaction of the city engineer and acceptance by the Rome Common Council before the right‑of‑way can be accepted by the city; revisions to address the fire department’s comments on hydrant placement and ladder access; and architectural elevation changes to increase engagement along the boulevard where the applicant sought a 15–20 foot front setback instead of the district’s usual 0‑foot build‑to line under section 80‑9.2(h)(8).

Board members pressed the applicants on technical details including the grinder‑pump configuration (the applicants said they expect multiple duplex/triplex grinders and about five pumps for the phase), lighting levels (applicants proposed fewer fixtures on the new street than along the existing boulevard and discussed house‑side shields and landscaping to limit light intrusion), curb and sidewalk materials (applicants proposed continuous concrete sidewalks and discussed city‑standard curbing), unit layouts and parking, and maintenance and snow storage responsibilities (applicant said property management would maintain sidewalks and driveways).

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the site plan based on staff comments; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The approval is conditional on the staff‑listed items, final engineering sign‑off, and any Rome Common Council actions needed to accept the new city right‑of‑way.