Commission backs plan to convert West Onondaga mansion into small performing‑arts club and apartments; recommendation to Common Council
Loading...
Summary
A proposal to convert a historic mansion at 652 West Onondaga Street into a small private club focused on performing arts plus two rental apartments cleared the Planning Commission for recommendation to the Common Council, with conditions on noise, hours and bike parking.
Project description: The applicant, CityLink Architecture (Hillary Donahue), presented plans to convert the historic 652 West Onondaga Street mansion into a mixed‑use facility with a private club oriented to small performing‑arts events and two residential apartments in former servants’ quarters. The proposal calls for demolition of a bridge connector between 652 and 658 West Onondaga, creation of a new accessible entrance and about 11 parking spaces in the rear lot.
Public reaction and uses: Multiple neighbors and area stakeholders testified in support, calling the plan a catalytic reuse that will preserve the building and provide small arts programming and neighborhood‑accessible events. Supporters emphasized small audience sizes (applicant referenced a maximum of about 25 attendees per event in initial descriptions) and a commitment to limit amplified outdoor sound; the commission's recommended conditions specified no amplified exterior speakers and adherence to approved operating hours and noise ordinance limits.
Recommendation and site‑plan approval: Staff and the commission issued a negative SECRA declaration and approved a recommendation to the Common Council for the special permit (SP‑25‑29) along with major site plan review (MASPR‑25‑29). The special‑permit recommendation included four special conditions (no amplified exterior speakers; adherence to approved operating hours; coordination with county environmental protection on sanitary flow; and two staple bike racks for the 11 parking spaces). The site plan approval included similar conditions and a requirement to demolish the connecting Carter structure between the two properties.
Ending: The commission recommended the special permit to the Common Council for final disposition and approved the site plan with conditions aimed at preserving the historic resource while limiting neighborhood impacts.
