Planning commission approves Arlo East mixed-use site plan with conditions on awnings, lighting and bike parking

Syracuse — The Syracuse City Planning Commission voted to approve a site plan for the Arlo East mixed‑use building at 1747 South Heritage Lane, with conditions that the developer submit finalized awning or equivalent architectural details, add exterior lighting around entrances and include bike parking before the building permit is issued.

The commission acted after staff presented the application and recommended conditional approval. Royce (planning staff) told commissioners the building “meets all the requirements of the code and development agreement” except for missing awning drawings; staff recommended the awning detail be provided before the building permit issue. Royce also noted the Architectural Review Committee recommended exterior lighting around entrances.

The applicant, Trent Preston of Elite Craft Homes, said the project previously had site‑plan approval but the timeline lapsed and the company is now ready to move forward. “More than anything, we’re excited to finally get this going,” Preston said, and confirmed the developer accepts the condition to provide awning details through the building‑permit process.

Commissioners discussed likely uses and building access. Preston said the ground floor is being marketed as shell commercial/office spaces with exterior entrances to each unit and upper floors configured for residential units. He described the developer’s plan to finish tenant spaces as leases are signed. Commissioners asked about bike parking; Preston said none is currently shown but the developer would look for space on the site plan to add a rack.

One commissioner moved to approve the site plan for Elite Craft Homes with the conditions that updated drawings show awnings or other code‑compliant design elements before the building permit, that exterior lighting be provided around entrances, and that bike parking be added to the site plan and enforced as part of the building‑permit approval. The motion was seconded; the commission approved the motion by voice vote.

The commission’s conditional approval leaves the final architectural and site details to be provided during the building‑permit review. The developer may return with permit drawings that show the required awnings/architectural elements, lighting, and bike parking prior to permit issuance.