Commission approves seven‑unit apartment project at 318 Euclid with site and permit conditions

The Syracuse Planning Commission approved a three‑part application for 318 Euclid that includes a re‑subdivision, special use permit and major site plan review to allow demolition of a single‑family building and construction of a three‑story apartment house with seven units and 22 bedrooms.

Applicant Jared McCormick of DM Architectural presented the proposal, which would expand the lot westward by 16 feet and add a three‑story building with a front accessible entrance and a rear parking area containing four parking spaces (one accessible). McCormick said the driveway width is about 9 feet after revisions and that landscape buffering and a fence are included to separate the property from adjacent parcels. The design also includes space for two staple‑style bike racks near the front entry.

Neighbor Jane Hudson, who lives five houses down on Livingston Avenue, spoke in opposition expressing safety and traffic concerns at the nearby intersection of Euclid and Ostrom, asking how the neighborhood could absorb more vehicles for 22 bedrooms. The applicant responded that many student tenants do not bring cars if onsite parking is limited, that the proposal provides four on‑site spaces and that the project likely displaces about four existing spaces, so the impact on on‑street parking during weekdays should be limited. The applicant also said the accessible route from the parking area meets grade requirements.

The commission adopted a SEQR negative declaration and then approved the re‑subdivision (R2508) with the standard county filing condition. It recommended the special use permit (SP2514) to the Common Council for affirmative action, imposing special conditions including (1) providing two staple‑style bike racks, (2) not increasing impervious or natural coverage beyond existing limits, (3) obtaining all necessary building permits within one year, and (4) meeting rezone article conditions within 18 months. The commission also approved the major site plan review (MASPR2504) with the same four special conditions.

City reviewers raised technical items that the applicant should address during building permitting, including the required access/loading zone width, rescue and egress openings, and vestibule/stair/laundry room layout; staff indicated those issues can be resolved during permit review. The motions passed on voice votes; staff will confirm that required filings and building permits are completed within the stated timeframes.