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Skaneateles planning board admonishes developer rep, asks for photo simulations in 60 Fennell Street hearing
Summary
At a Feb. 5 continuation of the public hearing on the Ben Klein proposal for 60 Fennell Street, the board admonished a developer representative for overstating prior outreach and requested photo simulations showing the home’s visual impact; the hearing was opened and then adjourned without a decision.
On Feb. 5, 2026, the Village of Skaneateles Planning Board opened a continuation of the public hearing on an application by Ben (Benzion) Klein for a new house at 60 Fennell Street and admonished a developer representative for overstating prior outreach and property-size claims. The board asked the applicant for additional visual materials before taking further action and adjourned the hearing the same evening without voting on the application.
Clerk to the Boards Ian Carroll was asked to clarify statements made at the January meeting and told the record that "the DMO simply told them to call back when they had an approval," undercutting an earlier representation that had suggested substantive DMO conversations. The board also presented a comparison of property surveys that contradicted remarks by developer representative Bob Eggleston that the lot proposed for redevelopment was "twice as large" as the neighboring parcel; the board admonished Eggleston not to exaggerate or present misleading material to the Board.
The application, as described on the record, proposes "2,729 first and second floor" (unit not specified in the transcript) with five bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and a two-car attached garage at 60 Fennell Street. Neighbors raised concerns about the scale of the proposed house and requested photo simulations to illustrate how the building would sit in the streetscape. Chairman Stephen Hartnett moved to open the public hearing at 6:28 p.m.; Member Melissa Komanecky seconded the motion and the board voted 4-0 to open the hearing. Later, Hartnett moved to adjourn the hearing; Member Connie Brace seconded and the motion carried 4-0. The board took no final action on the application and left the record open for the requested materials.
Why it matters: Neighbors said the proposed house’s scale could materially alter the look of Fennell Street, and the board’s request for photo simulations signals it seeks clearer visual context before weighing approval. The matter remains pending the applicant’s submission of the additional materials requested by the board.
