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Humane Society of Rome site-plan review tabled pending coordinated review window
Summary
The Planning Board tabled site-plan review and SEQR for the Humane Society of Rome’s proposed ~19,817-square-foot animal shelter at 6247 Lamphere Road pending completion of the 30-day coordinated review period with DOT and DEC.
The Rome Planning Board on May 6 voted to table both the SEQR coordinated-review window and the site-plan review for the Humane Society of Rome’s proposed animal shelter at 6247 Lamphere Road. The board’s action came after planning staff said the 30-day coordinated review period for interagency comments was still open and that DOT and DEC comments had not been received in time for the meeting.
Julian Clark, engineer with Plumlee Engineering representing the Humane Society, described the proposed new facility as about 19,817 square feet on roughly 18 acres with public water and a designed septic system because sanitary sewer was not available at the site. Clark said the society sought a new facility to meet updated New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets regulations; the current shelter uses a septic system and “isn’t large enough to upgrade to meet all those standards.”
Lynn Rosen, president of the Humane Society of Rome, told the board the existing shelter likely could not stay open past December under new regulations but that the state would allow construction into 2026 if the society is in active building progress. Rosen said the new facility would include kennels located toward the rear of the building, a community room for outreach programs, a spay/neuter clinic, a retail area for fundraising revenue and a night-drop area for dog-control officers.
Planning staff advised tabling because DOT and DEC comments were not yet received and the 30-day coordinated review (the SEQR window) remained open; staff said the project would be placed on the board’s July 1 agenda and that no major roadblocks were expected based on staff review. The applicant had obtained a use variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals allowing an animal shelter in the property’s RR (rural residential) zone.
Board action: The board voted to table the SEQR coordinated-review item pending receipt of interagency comments and tabled the site-plan review for the same reason. Both motions carried on unanimous voice votes.
Next steps: The applicant will await the close of the coordinated-review period and any agency comments; the item was expected to return to the board at the July 1 meeting if no substantial comments are received.
