Shawna Bonshak

The Commission approved a minor subdivision at 111 North Road involving the division of a parcel. For the historic alteration request at 76 Gorham Street, the Commission approved the deck construction with the condition that a turned-spindle railing be used instead of a privacy fence. Additionally, the Commission approved a historic alteration for the installation of raised metal lettering signage at 32 North Main.

The City Council meeting commenced with a review of Community Core Values. Key actions included recognizing and thanking Don Semans for over forty years of dedicated service to the City of Canandaigua, culminating in his retirement. The Council set public hearings for February 23, 2026, concerning amendments to Chapter 585 (Solid Waste regulation of temporary dumpsters) and Chapter 612 (partial tax exemption for limited-income seniors). The Council accepted the donation of a public art sculpture from Barron Naegel and authorized an agreement with the Ontario-Wayne Stormwater Coalition for five years. Support was expressed for the City's application to the New York State Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program for Baker Park improvements, and an easement for water quality and flood resiliency involving E. & J. Gallo Winery was accepted. Special exemptions to the Noise Ordinance were granted for two concerts scheduled for June 2026. Funding in the amount of $25,000 was appropriated from the Police Asset Seizure & Forfeiture Reserve for a radio replacement. The Council elected to provide the Section 384-e pension benefit for uniformed personnel, effective February 1, 2026, and re-appointed Ellen Polimeni as a Marriage Officer. Local Law 2026-001, establishing sewer rents, was enacted after a modification to review Section 4-part C later. Local Law 2026-002, amending Chapter 612 regarding the tax exemption schedule, was also enacted. Strategic Planning priorities were discussed by Councilmembers.

The meeting commenced with the 2026 Organizational Meeting, which resulted in the election of Commissioner Hitchcock as Chairperson and Commissioner Fox as Vice Chair. The regular meeting schedule was confirmed for the second Wednesday of each month, and authorization was granted for the Chairperson to call Special Meetings as needed. Key applications reviewed included two related requests for a Special Use Permit to operate a Rooming House at 53 Chapin Street and 86 Bemis Street; these applications were tabled to allow the applicant to provide detailed floor plans, site plans, lease documents, and amended applications to resolve inconsistencies. A Special Use Permit for a Public Utility micro-cell facility installation by Bell Atlantic Mobile (Verizon) at 440 East Street was approved after a SEQR Negative Declaration determination, despite questions regarding pole height discrepancies. Finally, a Special Use Permit for Sugar Rush to operate a Carryout Restaurant (Bakery) at 11 Phoenix Street was approved, contingent upon the applicant submitting a future proposal for any exterior alterations, including signage.

The regular meeting included the 2026 Organizational Meeting where Ryan Wilmer was elected Chairperson and Tiffany Tomzak was elected Vice Chair. The board established the regular meeting schedule for the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. and authorized the Chair to call Special Meetings as needed. During the review of applications, Item 01 concerning Application #25-375 at 28 Academy Place, seeking Area Variances for a second detached garage, was tabled to allow the applicant to revise the proposal by reducing the size and relocating the garage forward to preserve existing trees. Item 02, Application #26-001 at 191 Pleasant Street, sought a Use Variance to operate a hair salon in an R-2 zone. Following the four-part test and SEQR review, the board approved the Use Variance subject to conditions: limiting the salon to the existing 1,000 square foot storefront area and permitting a maximum of 3 salon chairs.

The City Council meeting commenced with a review of the Community Core Values. Key actions included accepting the City Council Rules and Procedures, re-electing the City Council President, and appointing members to various Standing Committees: Environmental, Finance, Ordinance, Planning, and PUD. The Council named the Messenger Post as the Official Newspapers, appointed an individual as City Historian, and named representatives to the BID Board. Additionally, an appointment was made to the Canandaigua LDC. The Council accepted the meeting schedule and passed Resolution #2026-001 to set a public hearing date for a local law on establishing and imposing sewer rents. Local Law 2026-001, which establishes these sewer rents based on water consumption or actual discharge with specific charge rates and penalty structures, was tabled.