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The board on Tuesday voted 3-1 to approve Housing Visions' site plan, which proposes a three-story, 80-bed facility to replace the existing 16-bed shelter at 290-292 Grant Ave. Board members Fran Daloia, Amy Sargent and Theresa Walsh voted in favor of the plan, while Andy Tehan was the lone opponent. 

Crystal Cosentino, who chairs the planning board, did not participate in the site plan review or the vote at the meeting Tuesday. Cosentino works for the Rescue Mission, which would operate the new shelter. 

Stephen Selvek, the city of Auburn's deputy director of planning and development, presented the revised site plan for the 7,105-square-foot facility. The proposal has been changed over time based on feedback from residents and stakeholders. The revisions include an increased radius on the north side of the driveway to make it easier for emergency vehicles to access the facility. 

Before voting on the site plan, the planning board considered whether to issue a negative declaration — that the project won't have a significant impact on the environment. During that discussion, Tehan expressed concern about how a larger homeless shelter might affect the city's ability to add businesses on Grant Avenue. 

"It's going to do great things. It's going to serve its purpose," he said. "But where is the right spot?" 

Other planning board members, though, did not share Tehan's view. They focused on how the larger shelter will provide interior spaces that may reduce loitering outdoors — one of the main criticisms levied by residents who oppose the project — and have services on site for those in need of assistance. 

A resolution to approve the negative declaration passed 3-1, with Tehan voting no. 

The site plan review followed. One of the questions addressed by Selvek was parking. Because the homeless shelter plans to have seven employees, it must have seven parking spaces. Additionally, the shelter will have eight parking spots for those in transitional housing units. 

Selvek also highlighted the emergency response portion of the site plan and provided an overview of the changes requested by the Auburn Fire Department. 

There was little discussion before the board voted to approve the site plan. 

It's a major development for a project that has faced several hurdles since it was proposed in late 2023. 

The project began receiving attention in October when the Cayuga County Legislature approved $1 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding to support the construction of the shelter. The county is supporting the project because of the growing homelessness problem in the community. 

In 2023, the county paid $3 million to place unhoused individuals and families in local hotels. 

When the planning board began its review in December, the proposed shelter received mixed reviews. Residents who live near 290-292 Grant Ave. don't believe it's the right location for a larger facility. They have also raised concerns about increased crime and other negative consequences of having the shelter in that area. 

In response to that feedback, Housing Visions sought a different location. The Syracuse-based developer is in the process of buying the former Holy Family School on North Street and planned to redevelop the building to include 15 to 20 permanent housing units. 

Housing Visions asked the Auburn Zoning Board of Appeals for a use variance that would allow the nonprofit to construct a homeless shelter at the North Street site. But the zoning board rejected the use variance application in March. 

After that setback, Housing Visions refocused on the Grant Avenue location and revised its plan to address concerns about the project. In June, a public hearing was held to review the updated site plan. A mix of supporters and opponents spoke during that meeting. 

An updated timetable for when construction will begin wasn't immediately available. Housing Visions representatives have said the site plan approval was needed for the nonprofit to seek additional funding for the project.