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Rome board approves 40‑unit Castle Rock Plaza conversion, including 10% affordable units
Summary
After public comment and a SEQR negative declaration, the board granted a use variance to Castle Rock Plaza LLC to convert 402–406 South Jay Street into a three‑story, 40‑unit apartment building; the owner said 10% of units will be reserved below 80% of area median income.
The Rome zoning board on May 15 approved a use variance for Castle Rock Plaza LLC to convert 402–406 South Jay Street from a two‑story office building into a three‑story, 40‑unit multifamily building, with the owner committing to set aside 10% of units for households below 80% of median income.
Owner Jason Wong told the board his building sustained tornado and other damage and that market conditions make office leasing impractical. He outlined a plan with 40 residential units and off‑street parking for about 70 vehicles, exceeding the board’s stated requirement of 64 spaces. "10 percent," Wong said when asked what share of units would be set below 80% of median income; he described the affordability level as a condition of state program participation.
Neighbors and nearby residents raised concerns about long‑running disrepair, absentee ownership and the scale of the project for a residential street. One neighbor, Enzo, told the board the property has been in disrepair since at least 2017 and questioned whether the owner lives locally. The owner said he lives in Utica, described ongoing cleanup work and said he plans on regular maintenance, landscaping and fencing to secure the parking area.
Board members discussed the four use‑variance standards and repeatedly cited local housing needs and the uniqueness of the property. "This is a very unique property, and I don't I don't think it was self created," said Magdaleno (speaker 8), reflecting a common view among members that the applicant had explored allowed uses and that apartment conversion is appropriate in context. Several members signaled support for the project, the board voted in favor after issuing a SEQR negative declaration, and the variance was granted with the owner's commitments to site improvements and affordable units.
The owner gave a preliminary cost estimate for the full conversion in the range of several million dollars and said he expects to combine state loan programs with bank and private financing. Board members said site‑plan review, building permits and other regulatory steps remain and will be addressed in subsequent planning‑level reviews.
