The City of Rome Planning Board voted unanimously to reaffirm the prior SEQRA negative declaration for the Woodhaven master plan and to approve an amended site plan that adds multifamily and townhome product on the south side of the project.

The boards action followed a presentation from Joe Danimal of Environmental Design Partnership and other representatives for Woodhaven Ventures LLC, who described the amendment as a modification to a previously approved 250‑lot subdivision to allow a total of 341 units on roughly 63 acres in the sites southern portion. "We're here tonight, for the board to reaffirm SEQRA, finding that the project is consistent with previous SEQRA findings that were issued in 2018 for the property," Danimal said.

Board members heard details of the proposed mix: retained single‑family lots along Park Avenue, about 57 additional single‑family lots, 42 attached townhome buildings (84 units), and 23 garden‑style buildings (230 units) configured as 10‑unit garden apartments, many with attached garages. Danimal outlined phasing across multiple phases and described sidewalks, garage carriage lights for units, passive green space and potential active parks in the multifamily area.

Staff noted wetland buffers and recommended reaffirming the negative declaration, citing that the increase in unit count falls within what the Woodhaven revitalization plan and historical traffic estimates had contemplated. "The proposed development closely aligns with the Woodhaven revitalization plan adopted by the city in 2018 and integrates into the city's overall vision for the site," a staff representative said, recommending approval conditioned on the developer obtaining any necessary use variances for multifamily units.

During discussion, board members and the applicant raised infrastructure questions about whether National Grid can supply increased electric capacity and whether the project will be constructed all‑electric. The developer said National Grid has not refused service and that air‑source heat pumps are the likely heating approach. The board also discussed exterior lighting and safety on sidewalks; Matt Andrews of the city advised the board that the city and county had pursued and been awarded a $750,000 lighting grant to support public street lighting in the Woodhaven neighborhood and that the city anticipates a $1.5 million lighting improvement project with local matches.

The board voted to "reaffirm the SEQRA negative declaration" and then voted to approve the site plan amendment subject to the developers securing required variances (zoning board/CPA) and delivering updated stamped drawings. Both motions passed unanimously. The applicant was instructed to coordinate final materials with city staff and return to the CPA as required.