A $38 million housing development planned for downtown Geneva cleared a major hurdle this week when the city Planning Board narrowly approved its site plan and special-use permit.
The 3–2 vote gives the green light to Lakeview Downtown Lofts, a 74-unit project proposed by Geneva-based Lakeview Health Services for 218 Genesee Street — the current site of the Finger Lakes Times. Lakeview has a purchase agreement for the property that depends on the project receiving approvals.
Plans call for a five-story building, with a four-story section facing Castle Street, covering portions of Genesee, Castle, Colt, and Elm streets. About half of the apartments — 36 units — would be reserved for people with mental health diagnoses. The project also includes 2,400 square feet of office space.
The approval came after the board determined the project would not have a negative environmental impact under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. The final resolution approving the site plan and permit was adopted on Wednesday, though it had not been posted on the meeting agenda beforehand.
The proposal has faced strong pushback during public hearings, with residents citing concerns about the building’s size, limited parking, and the number of units for people with mental health needs. Zoning for the Central Business District would typically allow 12 units on the one-acre parcel; the special-use permit allows Lakeview to build 74.
With Planning Board approval in place, Lakeview can now move forward with the next steps in the development process.
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