Planning board approves Hanger Road 102,000‑sq‑ft office building, issues SEQR negative declaration

The City of Rome Planning Board unanimously approved a site plan on Jan. 6 for a proposed 102,000‑square‑foot, three‑story office building on Hanger Road and issued a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) negative declaration for the project.

Matt Robson of the LA Group, representing Bonaccio Construction, told the board the project would develop about 6.7 acres near the Hill Road roundabout and include 407 parking spaces and 48 bicycle spaces. "The project proposes to develop approximately 6.7 acres... The project proposes a 102,000 square foot, building, and over 3 floors," Robson said during his presentation.

Community and Economic Development staff recommended approval but asked that the applicant continue coordinating with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) on the traffic impact study and any required right‑of‑way permits. The department noted the traffic study had been submitted the previous day and that NYSDOT’s review could take two to three weeks. CED recommended approving the site plan "with the condition that the applicant coordinates with NYSDOT to make any adjustments to the traffic impact study or further analysis as requested." (staff comment summarized from the record)

The board voted unanimously to issue a SEQR negative declaration and then unanimously approved the site plan for Hanger Road LLC, subject to the community‑development conditions discussed on the record. During questioning, Robson and board members confirmed that sanitary sewer on site would be gravity‑fed (no pumps), that water would be extended to provide a hydrant on the south side of the building, and that stormwater would be managed with infiltration chambers beneath part of the parking area.

Robson said final locations for electrical transformers and generators remain to be determined in coordination with the utility provider and that the plans did not show electric vehicle charging stations. He also noted fire‑apparatus turning movements had been checked and worked on the submitted plan.

The board advised the applicant to submit required final copies and staff said they would follow up with next steps. The approval does not obviate any further reviews or permits required by NYSDOT or other agencies.

The motion to issue the negative declaration and the motion to approve the site plan were each made from the board and carried unanimously; the applicant acknowledged he would reach out to staff the next day to begin the permit process.