Commission recommends special use permit for Milton Avenue ice cream parlor with conditions on hours and operations

The Syracuse Planning Commission recommended that the Common Council grant a special use permit for an ice cream parlor at 201 Milton Ave (SP2516), approving the application with four specific conditions meant to limit neighborhood impacts.

Todd (Tod) Stone, owner of 201 Milton Ave and the applicant, said the building has been vacant for more than a decade and that he plans to operate an ice cream parlor to bring activity back to the space. Stone said he owns the building and will operate the ice cream business; James Owen was identified as the project architect.

During discussion commissioners and the applicant focused on operating hours and neighborhood impacts. Several commissioners said the board has been consistently approving evening hours up to 10 p.m. for similar food uses near residential areas; the applicant initially proposed extended summer hours up to 11 p.m. and agreed to adjust to a compromise 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. as a condition. Commissioners also noted that adjacent residential units exist above or nearby the commercial space and asked the applicant to control potential noise and queuing.

The commission completed SEQR review and adopted a negative declaration. It then voted to recommend approval of SP2516 to the Common Council with four special conditions beyond the general conditions: (1) operating hours limited to 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; (2) the business shall control noise levels to a reasonable degree so as not to violate the City of Syracuse ordinance; (3) no live entertainment is permitted without a separate entertainment license; and (4) the applicant must submit a sign permit via the vendor as appropriate.

No public speakers appeared in favor or opposition during the hearing. The commission approved the recommendation on a voice vote and noted that if operational adjustments are needed later the applicant may consult planning staff (Jake Deschamps) to request amendments.