Planning board tables Donegan three‑lot subdivision at Black River Boulevard pending county review

The City of Rome Planning Board opened a public hearing on Jan. 6 for a three‑lot minor subdivision application by James Donegan at 1814 Black River Boulevard, took public comment (none was offered), and heard a presentation from surveyor Andrew Bailey.

Bailey said the single deeded parcel currently contains three businesses (a car wash, Advance Auto and a cell tower) and that the owner intends to subdivide the parcel so leases become deeded individual parcels. He explained that no new construction is proposed and that the rear parcel had previously been conveyed to the city to accommodate the Mohawk River Trail walkway.

Community and Economic Development staff informed the board that because the site is within 500 feet of a state or county right‑of‑way the application required referral to the county planning department; that referral had been made but the county’s review response had not yet been returned. CED staff stated the county review is required for board action.

Because the county planning review was outstanding, a motion was made and seconded to table items 6 and 7 (the SEQR and subdivision review) to the board’s next meeting (Feb. 3). The motion to table carried unanimously. No substantive decisions on the subdivision were made at the Jan. 6 meeting.

The board’s action was procedural: the subdivision remains under review and cannot proceed until the required county planning department response is received and any conditions are addressed.