Auburn planning board tables 197 State Street supportive-housing proposal after public concerns

Auburn Planning Board members on Feb. 4 voted to table consideration of a special-use permit and site-plan review for a proposed 26-unit, one‑bedroom apartment building at 197 State Street, following public comment that raised issues about parking, stormwater runoff, neighborhood safety and hazardous‑materials abatement.

The board voted to table the application for consideration at its March meeting. Amy Sargent made the motion to table; Fran Deloia seconded. The roll call recorded five affirmative votes: Andy Tien, Fran Deloia, Theresa Walsh, Amy Sargent and Crystal Cosentino.

The applicant, identified in the planning packet as Housing Visions Consultants Inc., is proposing a mixed-use building with 26 one‑room apartments. According to a presenter from the Cayuga Community Health Network, the project would include 14 affordable units and 12 permanent supportive‑housing units. Dr. Sherry Weiss, executive director of the Cayuga Community Health Network, said the agency would provide intensive case management for supportive‑housing tenants and that “the case manager will have contact with every member of our program at least once a week to ensure that their needs are being met.”

Neighbors at the public hearing outlined multiple concerns. Kenneth Mahosky, a property owner at 193 State Street, said he welcomed redevelopment of a vacant/derelict building but asked for confirmation of stormwater controls and repairs to a shared wire fence, and asked whether there would be an on‑site manager. “My concern…is where that water is gonna be running off,” Mahosky said, and he asked to meet with the project engineer or city engineer.

Craig Clark, who lives at 186 State Street, described experiences he said followed other local multiunit conversions and said he feared crime and nuisance problems could increase. Roman Ratko, a retired firefighter who lives on Cottage Street, urged the board to consider the concentration of low‑income and supportive housing in the city’s west end and voiced safety and quality‑of‑life concerns.

Other residents raised technical and environmental issues. Karen Walter, who lives on Case Avenue, said the existing building dates to 1925 and urged careful asbestos abatement, noting concerns about fibres spreading if removal is not handled properly. Multiple speakers and a member of the public packet questioned on‑site parking: the city code referenced in public remarks calls for 1 parking space per dwelling unit, and commenters urged the board to avoid setting a precedent for reduced parking.

City staff recommended the board continue to accept and review comments and, as staff reported at the meeting, would follow up with respondents after the meeting. A staff member told the audience the application was being tabled to allow staff to address questions, including stormwater design and site verification, before returning to the board.

The public hearing for the 197 State Street application was closed before the motion to table. The board did not take final action on site‑plan approval, or on any zoning relief; the application was tabled to the March meeting for further review and staff follow‑up.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Table consideration of the application for 197 State Street to the March meeting; motion made by Amy Sargent, seconded by Fran Deloia. Vote: Andy Tien — yes; Fran Deloia — yes; Theresa Walsh — yes; Amy Sargent — yes; Crystal Cosentino — yes. Outcome: tabled.