Rome zoning board approves special-use permit for repair facility at 7113 East Dominic Street

ROME — At its Wednesday, June 4 meeting, the Rome Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special-use permit for a vehicle repair and service facility at 7113 East Dominic Street, clearing the way for on-site hitch installation, light and brake repair, battery replacement and service of small recreational vehicles.

The permit application lists Rau Real Estate Holdings LLC as the property owner and identifies the operator/applicant as Brad Taylor of Taylor’s Tailors, whose business occupies the address. The board also adopted a negative declaration under the state environmental-quality review process before voting to approve the permit.

The permit, sought under the C-2 commercial zoning rules in Rome zoning code section 80-12.2, allows repair work open to the general public but maintains standard limitations: vehicles may not be stored outdoors on site for more than 15 days; all repair operations and equipment storage must occur inside an enclosed building; and establishments abutting residential districts may be required to screen interior side and rear lot lines with a 6- to 7-foot solid wall or fence. The board read those conditions into the record before taking votes.

Brad Taylor, the applicant, described the proposal as an expansion of his existing business. “We established Taylor’s Tailors about three and a half years ago,” Taylor said. He told the board the East Dominic Street site includes about 30,000 square feet of building space and that the operation’s hours would be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Taylor said the business intends to focus on hitch installations, wiring, brakes and similar light work, and to service the power-sports vehicles the business sells (ATVs and side-by-sides), rather than major engine or transmission repairs. “That’s not our intention. No. We’re not really set up to do that,” Taylor said.

Board members questioned how outdoor storage would be handled and whether the facility could turn into a long-term outdoor storage area or a “junkyard.” Taylor said he requires tenants to keep items inside and that his leasing terms prohibit outdoor storage. He also said he expects to occupy more of the building himself over time; the property currently contains multiple tenants in back bays. Taylor told the board he employs six people.

The board noted it received comment from the county planning department under section 239-m of New York’s General Municipal Law; that report, from James J. Genovese, the county planning commissioner, included no recommendation for disapproval (no objection to final action). A board member moved for a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR); the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

On the special-use-permit motion, the board recorded the following roll-call responses as voting in favor: Joe Vascole, John Angelino, Jimmy DeCastro, Lou DeMarco and Ray Tucker; the board chair declared the special-use permit approved and advised Taylor to coordinate with staff about any building modifications and to obtain the necessary state approvals. Taylor said his wife would contact staff to get the letter needed to apply to the state for repairs licensing.

The permit approval does not change the zoning classification of the site. The board reiterated that any future buyer or tenant remains subject to the permit’s conditions, including the requirement that repair operations occur indoors and that no partially dismantled or inoperable vehicles be stored outdoors.

Next steps: staff will prepare the signed permit and letter the applicant needs for state filings; any building modifications will be reviewed by building staff and by the board if required.