Planning panel approves façade and unit changes at 505 South Street with balcony‑color condition

The Planning Commission approved amendments to a previously approved site plan for 505 South Street on March 10, authorizing a change in façade colors, conversion of two storage areas into one‑bedroom apartments (increasing the total units to 53) and additional attic storage, subject to three conditions including a balcony color mock‑up and a restrictive covenant for two workforce‑affordable units at approximately 80% AMI.

Architect Joseph Thompson, representing Riverview Associates and Riverview Associates for the applicant, presented revised renderings and said the color adjustments were intended to "warm the building and soften the appearance"; commissioners asked the applicant to provide renderings and a mock‑up of one balcony on the South Street side so the commission could confirm how color would appear in situ. The commission agreed that the overall color palette was acceptable but left final balcony color selection to an expedited offline review by the director of planning should there be no clear majority at that later sign‑off.

The applicant agreed to place the two new units under a restrictive covenant as workforce housing (the applicant indicated 80% AMI would be used as the workforce threshold), and to repair a gap in a stone wall on South Street with matching veneer. The commission closed the public hearing, deemed the action a Type II under SEQR, and voted to grant final site‑plan approval with the stated conditions. "We're happy to alter these renderings and recirculate," the project architect said when asked about next steps. The approval allows the owner to begin work subject to the conditions in the staff report and the offline color confirmation process.