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Planning board approves home‑occupation permit for CJC Paralegal Services at 71 Orchard Street
Summary
The Auburn Planning Board on May 6 granted a special‑use permit to Centinella Enterprises LLC (doing business as CJC Paralegal Services) to operate a by‑appointment paralegal and notary business from 71 Orchard Street, and adopted a SEQR negative declaration; the board noted signage and right‑of‑way restrictions.
The Auburn Planning Board on May 6 approved a special‑use permit allowing Centinella Enterprises LLC, d/b/a CJC Paralegal Services, to operate a home‑occupation paralegal and notary business at 71 Orchard Street. The board also adopted a SEQR negative declaration for the application.
Christa Centinella, who identified herself as the applicant and occupant, told the board the business operates primarily by appointment and that foot traffic is “less than 25%.” She said the downstairs space will be used for client appointments and notary services and that a small upstairs unit will be used for family or occasional short‑term stays; the applicant acknowledged that any short‑term rental would require a separate zoning application. Centinella said the property has three front steps and a back ramp that provides accessible entry for clients with mobility needs.
Board staff reviewed the short form environmental assessment and recommended a negative declaration (no significant environmental impact). The board voted unanimously to adopt the SEQR negative declaration (motion by Andy Tehan; second by Theresa Walsh) and then unanimously approved the special‑use permit (motion by Fran Deloia; second by Amy Sargent). Roll call recorded all members voting yes: Andy Tehan, Fran Deloia, Theresa Walsh, Amy Sargent and Crystal Cosentino.
Staff advised the applicant about signage rules for the city right‑of‑way. The board reiterated that an A‑frame (sandwich) sign cannot be left in the public right‑of‑way or on the sidewalk; staff told the applicant the sign must be removed when the business is closed and recommended the sign be set back from the sidewalk so it does not block the public right‑of‑way.
The board also noted a routine automated flag on the application form about potential state historic‑preservation review because the property is near older properties; staff and the applicant said the parcel is not itself listed on local historic registers and no further SHPO consultation had been triggered. The applicant said she had not encountered hazardous‑waste or remediation issues while renovating the interior and that current improvement work is cosmetic.
The board closed public comment and instructed the applicant to obtain the city’s special‑use permit paperwork from the codes department and to follow the sign rules discussed at the meeting.
