After lengthy debate, county approves Geneva PUD phase with strict limits; board urges clearer phasing

The Ontario County Planning Board voted to return referral 136 (a PUD site‑plan amendment in the town of Geneva) to the referring board with a conditional approval limited explicitly to the improvements shown on the plan dated 08/26/2026 for the named tax parcels, and urged the applicant to present clearer, phased documentation for any future expansion.

Applicant Jacob Box (speaker 12) described the project as agritourism and farm‑worker housing, proposing three manufactured homes, parking, storage barns and ponds as the immediate scope and listing yurts, restrooms and a pavilion as future phases. "This project, is, in my mind, very simple, adding 3 small houses," Box told the board, saying the houses would provide rental housing for employees.

Board members repeatedly said the PUD submission lacked critical detail — including the relationship of parcels to the PUD, a firm demolition plan, accurate mapping of existing structures, traffic and DOT permitting for additional access, and a clear phasing timeline. Several members urged the applicant to strip the plan back to a narrowly executable phase and to supply stamped, dated plan sheets and a demolition/debris schedule.

After extended discussion the board approved recommending the PUD back to the local board "with conditions" that limit county support to what appears on the 08/26 plan for tax parcel 112 (and adjacent parcels listed on that sheet), and added comments that the referring body should ensure PUD standards, architectural review where appropriate, and clear, enforceable phasing and decommissioning measures. The motion carried by voice vote.

The county will send a detailed report describing the county's specific expectations for demolition, erosion/stormwater controls, fire suppression access, and how future phases should be treated if they require further PUD approval.